In a move certain to sadden numerous fast-food lovers, Taco Bell is scaling back permanently as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The fast-food chain has not been immune to the effects of the pandemic, and it has certainly eaten into sales of their tacos and burritos. In a recent news update on their website, the brand clarified that many menu items will be phasing out altogether.
Many of these items include fan favorites like the Fritos Burrito, potato-based items like the Potato Soft Taco, as well as numerous other specialty items. Many fans of the fast-food eatery have taken to social media to voice their displeasure with the move. Some have even started petitions asking Taco Bell to not remove potatoes from their menus.
The brand clarified that this move is to help simplify and streamline their menu. In essence, it seems the company is trying to cut down on overhead cost by simplifying its menu and focusing on a smaller selection of items. This will likely also make things simpler for the company’s employees. After all, the less items that need to be made, the more quickly main items can be focused on.
The effect of the novel coronavirus pandemic is hard to overstate. More than just causing Taco Bell to get a judicial divorce from potatoes, the pandemic has bitten into the American economy in serious ways. Movie theaters, water parks and other common summer attractions are feeling the sting of staying closed. Many establishments have had to close their doors for good.
One aspect of Taco Bell’s menu that some customers don’t even think about is how vegetarian-friendly they are. Vegetarians don’t have a wealth of options in the American food landscape: hot dogs, hamburgers and chicken are all meal favorites in the US. One notable exception is the plentiful options that Taco Bell has, making them unique among fast food establishments,
A fan-favorite meal for vegetarian or vegan eaters is the potato taco. While Taco Bell was quick to remind fans that they could replace any protein with beans, online sentiment was resigned to yet another vegetarian option going away.
Taco Bell said in their statement, however, that they will still commit to providing options for people with plant-based diets. In fact, they note, by simplifying their menu, they can narrow their focus. They plan to focus on new and diverse ways to appeal to people with varying diets.
