2018 has been the “Year of Nacho Fries.” Nacho Fries have been the most successful launch in Taco Bell’s history. Bigger than the Crunchwrap, mas grande than breakfast, and even bigger than the former champion, Doritos Locos Tacos. Thank you to everyone for their diligent efforts during the rollouts. There were many new dynamics and pressures to ensure that our customers received and enjoyed a high-quality product, a challenge that was met with strong-willed determination by all. Hopefully we can maintain this momentum that fries have created through the end of this year and into 2019
To close out 2018, Taco Bell is re-releasing the always popular Rolled Chicken Tacos, crispy shredded chicken tacos rolled up and ready to dunk into our dipping sauces. These have proven to be well-received in the past and should hopefully prove to be a winning promotion for us again. As the new year begins, Taco Bell will be pushing a few new items as well. To start out the year, Taco Bell will be featuring the new Grande Burrito line. There will be two different burritos on offer: the Chicken Enchilada Grande Burrito and the Three Cheese Nacho Grande Burrito. Each Grande Burrito will be grande on taste and on value something our customers are sure to enjoy. Of course, with their great success, expect to see Nacho Fries come back again soon, in the versions we have sold them in the past (seasoned and topped), as well as in new, flavorful varieties (most likely spicy). As we approach each promotion, the Marketing Department will send out more information on these and other soon-to-be-announced marketing experiences arriving in your restaurants.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their execution on our BurgerBusters 99¢ Iced Tea and Taco Sunday programs. It is never easy to run promotions on a local level that are not part of the national plan, as they require extra preparation and effort to implement properly. You have run these promotions with the same precision and efficiency as any other. Your efforts should be commended and are truly appreciated. So far, our customers have responded, and we hope that these new promotions will continue to draw customers into our stores.
Finally, I would like to say that it has not gone unnoticed that while operational complexity has gone up (for example, new positions like a fry cook, POP to be posted that is not part of the national road-map, several price increases, etc.) the number of marketing-related issues in stores has gone down. POP is posted properly and prices are listed correctly. When there have been issues, everyone has been much more proactive in alerting the Marketing Department so that we can resolve everything as quickly as possible. This is the type of teamwork that helps to drive the company forward and I am grateful for all your service and assistance. Let’s keep it going!
By: Yianni Achilleos
Marketing Director