If you’ve found yourself running out of upscale but still affordable dining establishments of late (and if you are somebody who considers Doritos Locos Tacos to be the height of haute-cuisine), then you're in luck.
On May 17, Taco Bell unveiled four new modern and minimal restaurant redesigns that will be tested this summer near the chain’s headquarters in Orange County, California.
While I will personally be mourning the poppy-pink and purple cartoonish color scheme, fans who are more refined than I can welcome the new designs “with a nod to the future and a wink to the past,” according to a Taco Bell press release.
“It’s no longer one size fits all,” stated Deborah Brand, VP of Development and Design at Taco Bell Corp. “Consumers are looking for a localized, customized and personalized experiences that reflect the diversity of their communities – the flexibility in bringing these four designs to life gives us just that.”
According to the press release, each of the four restaurants will have a different contextual personality; however, what unites them is their aim to foster a modern and unique dining experience.
Check out Taco Bell’s four different prototypes and the restaurant descriptions below, courtesy of the press release:
Heritage
Inspired by its culinary roots in Mexican-inspired food with a twist, this style is a modern interpretation of Taco Bell’s original Mission Revival style characterized by warm white walls with classic materials in the tile and heavy timbers.
Modern Explorer
This rustic modern style is a refined version of the brand’s Cantina Explorer restaurants and can easily fit into a suburban or rural environment. Inspired by the farms that make our food, this style reinforces Taco Bell’s commitment to the best ingredients, authenticity and transparency of materials and dining preparation.
California Sol
Inspired by Taco Bell’s California roots and the California lifestyle, this design blurs the lines between indoor and outdoor. It’s a celebration of dining al fresco and embraces a laidback beachy feel both inside and out.
Urban Edge
This design represents an eclectic mix of international and street style done the Taco Bell way. This style is inspired by timeless design married with cutting-edge elements of the urban environment.
If you’re a fan of the new designs but don’t have access to the California locations, Taco Bell also said that Atlanta is currently being explored for the next urban development, while numerous cities across the U.S. are under consideration for future locations.