The focus on drive-thru speed at Taco Bell is showing results.  Drive-thru speed nationally was two seconds faster year-over-year in Q4, marking the eighth straight quarter of an average time under four minutes—an impressive feat, considering ongoing labor challenges and spikes of Omicron cases.

In August, Taco Bell revealed the Defy concept—a 3,000-square-foot restaurant featuring four drive-thru lanes, including one traditional lane and three for mobile orders or delivery pickups. The new store, scheduled to open in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, this summer, also has digital check-in screens allowing customers to scan a QR code and receive food via a “bell-evator” lift system.

KFC digital sales in the U.S. soared 70 percent year-over-year in 2021, attributed mainly to our delivery service channel and e-commerce platform that launched nationwide early in 2021. In the 4th quarter, KFC rolled out Quick Pick-Up, in which customers skip the drive-thru and grab mobile orders out of cubbies inside the restaurant.  COVID clearly accelerated the trend to digital and KFC was well positioned to capture the business.

Analyzing Google Trends data from October 2020 to October 2021, apartment group The Waycroft identified the most popular Taco Bell orders based on state.

The Crunchwrap Supreme was a clear favorite winning 17 states, with the Quesarito a distant second as the favorite in 10 states.  The next closest was the classic Soft Taco winning 4 states.

In LVE’s market, North Carolina’s favorite was Soft Taco; Florida, Steak Quesadilla; Arizona, Crunchwrap Supreme; and South Carolina, Quesarito.

Available for a limited time beginning February 10, fans can get the Flamin’ Hot Cool Ranch Doritos Locos Tacos. 2022 also marks the 10th anniversary of the first DLT launch at Taco Bell, as well as the Taco Bell brand’s 60th anniversary. The new Flamin’ Hot Cool Ranch Doritos Locos Tacos adds a spicy new twist to this beloved menu item.

The Flamin’ Hot Cool Ranch Doritos Locos Tacos contain a crunchy taco shell made of Doritos Flamin’ Hot Cool Ranch Flavored Tortilla Chips, an all-new mash-up that combines the classic Cool Ranch flavor fans love with a spicy, bold crunch and loaded with the go-to taco toppings. It’s available a la carte for $1.99 and is also available in Supreme for $2.49. The DLT can also be added to the Build Your Own Cravings Box in the Taco Bell app and website.

KFC just announced its biggest sandwich yet, and it’s a pillow! Starting Feb. 1, you can order the limited-edition KFC Chicken Sandwich Snuggler exclusively on PillowPets.com for $99.99 while supplies last.* KFC has created a giant, nearly three-foot KFC Chicken Sandwich stuffed pillow. The KFC Chicken Sandwich, which was introduced nationwide in January 2021 and quickly became a fan-favorite, was the inspiration behind this partnership with Pillow Pets.

For a limited time only, KFC is introducing two new meal bundles–a new Sandwiches and Tenders Meal and new Sandwiches and Sides bundle.  The Sandwiches and Tenders Meal includes choice of four Classic or Spicy Chicken Sandwiches, six Extra Crispy Tenders, two large sides and four biscuits.  The Sandwiches and Sides bundle includes four Classic or Spicy Chicken Sandwiches and choice of two large sides.

The new meals are available exclusively when ordering through the KFC app or website at KFC.com.

In a recent interview with Insider, the country music legend gave a shout out to Taco Bell.  Dolly said she likes to order soft-shell Supreme tacos, rice and beans with mild sauce, and wants the Mexican Pizza back really bad!  When asked if she thought Taco Bell should bring back the Mexican Pizza, she replied, “I think they should!”  Noted.

Taco Bell is ready to roll out its next trailer-style ad for the return of Nacho Fries.

As each installment takes on a new, specific movie genre, this year that decision is up to the fans. On January 18, Taco Bell announced via Twitter that the Nacho Fries trailer will look a bit different this year as it hands over creative control to the public. “We’re fry-ing to know what y’all will come up with,” the official Twitter account tweeted at the start of the thread, which called for genre ideas.  Soon after, Taco Bell tweeted that it had landed on a concept: a time loop story that has the main character stuck in the same day. Think the 1993 Bill Murray classic comedy Groundhog Day.

The campaign, the “Taco Bell’s Nacho Fries Challenge,” will have fans submit their original ideas for the next Taco Bell Nacho Fry commercial via Twitter with the hashtag #Frieschallenge. Up to 20 entries will be selected and the submissions will be reviewed by a panel of judges based on the criteria of creativity and relevance to the Taco Bell brand. This will be the first time the brand will have a fan-centered and fan-created spot for its beloved Nacho Fries.

KFC has a new digital deal which allows you to get a free Chicken Sandwich when you purchase $12 or more online or through the KFC app.

The Chicken Sandwich features a double-breaded, extra crispy chicken breast on a buttery brioche bun with crispy pickles and your choice of either the Colonel’s Mayo or Spicy Sauce. The sandwich also comes in a spicy variety for fans who want to kick things up a notch.

Get your free Chicken Sandwich through February 6, 2022. The offer only allows one free sandwich per day, per account. The free sandwich deal is valid at participating locations nationwide.

Taco Bell’s new Taco Lover’s Pass is now available nationwide. For $10 a month, buy a pass on the mobile app to get 30 days of tacos at participating locations across the country. Pass prices vary by location and there’s a choice of seven tacos each day. Being a Taco Bell Rewards member is needed to sign up for the subscription and redeem the tacos. With the loyalty program, members can earn points toward rewards for free food with restaurant and online orders. Members also receive exclusive access to digital-only items and early access to new menu items.

The pass is only for sale through Taco Bell’s app. After buying the pass a secret category will unlock on the app menu, allowing members to choose a taco and redeem. With the pass, choose from one of seven select tacos each day for 30 consecutive days starting on the date of pass purchase: Crunchy Taco, Crunchy Taco Supreme, Soft Taco, Soft Taco Supreme, Spicy Potato Soft Taco, Doritos Locos Tacos and the Doritos Locos Tacos Supreme. You can only redeem one taco with the pass each day.

Learn more about the subscription at Tacobell.com/taco-lovers-pass.