Taco Bell has officially opened its first-ever restaurant in Oxfordshire, marking a major milestone for the fast-food chain in the region. The grand opening took place on Monday, March 10, at the M40 Welcome Break services near Oxford.
The event was celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, drawing excitement from eager customers who were keen to try the restaurant’s famous Mexican-inspired menu. As the ribbon was cut, the first customers placed their orders using the restaurant’s touchscreen kiosks.
A colorful purple and black balloon arch welcomed visitors, and a “Spin the Wheel” activity allowed attendees a chance to win free meals, further adding to the excitement of the opening day.
Priyanka Sharma, Marketing Executive at Taco Bell, expressed her excitement about the launch. She said, “The response to Oxfordshire’s first Taco Bell has been amazing. The excitement from the community has been overwhelming, with locals turning up in great numbers to get their hands on our iconic tacos, burritos, and quesadillas. Our Spin the Wheel has been a huge hit, creating a real buzz around the launch. We’re delighted to partner with Welcome Break to bring Taco Bell to Oxfordshire, and we look forward to continuing to grow our presence in the region.”
Taco Bell, originally founded in 1962 by Glen Bell in Downey, California, has since expanded globally. The chain is known for serving a wide range of Mexican-inspired fast food, including tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and nachos. By 2023, Taco Bell had grown to serve over two billion customers annually, with more than 8,200 restaurants around the world. About 94% of these locations are independently owned and operated by franchisees and licensees.
Before this opening, Oxfordshire residents had to travel to Swindon for the nearest Taco Bell, making the new location highly anticipated. With the store’s debut, locals are already enjoying the convenience of having the popular chain in their area.
Sam Blackbourn, Development Lead at Taco Bell, shared his thoughts on the opening. “Bringing Taco Bell to Oxfordshire for the first time has been an exciting journey, and we’re thrilled to see it come to life in partnership with Welcome Break. The store has been incredibly busy since opening, demonstrating the strong demand for our brand in the area. From design to execution, everything has gone smoothly, and it’s fantastic to see locals embracing Taco Bell. This marks an important milestone in our UK expansion, and we’re confident this location will be a great success.”
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