Updated at: 05-08-2023 - By: John Lau

Curiosity piqued over the intricate web of who owns what in the fast-food industry? While you savor a delicious Taco Bell meal, have you ever wondered if PepsiCo has a stake in this famous chain?

This article will dig deep into the restaurant business history to unravel whether Pepsi indeed owns Taco Bell.

Ready to crunch some facts about your favorite Mexican-inspired fast food chain? Let’s dive right in!

Ownership of Taco Bell

Does Pepsi Own Taco Bell

PepsiCo’s acquisition of Taco Bell

In a bold move back in 1978, PepsiCo Inc. invested a whopping $125 million to purchase 868 Taco Bell restaurants.

This marked an important transition for Taco Bell from being a regional entity to becoming a recognizable national fast-food chain.

Interestingly, the acquisition of Taco Bell was part of PepsiCo’s strategic expansion into the bustling restaurant industry in the late ’70s.

Yum! Brands’ ownership of Taco Bell

Yum! Brands is the proud owner of Taco Bell, along with other popular fast-food chains like KFC and Pizza Hut.

This means that Pepsi does not own Taco Bell, despite their previous relationship.

Yum! Brands acquired Taco Bell in 1978, which helped transform it from a regional chain to a national fast-food powerhouse. With their portfolio of successful restaurant brands, Yum! Brands has become a global leader in the food industry.

Relationship between PepsiCo and Taco Bell

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PepsiCo and Taco Bell have a strong relationship, collaborating on various product offerings and utilizing PepsiCo’s Frito-Lay division.

Collaboration in product offerings

PepsiCo and Taco Bell have a collaborative relationship when it comes to their product offerings. The collaboration mainly takes place through Pepsi’s Frito-Lay division, which works closely with Taco Bell on creating unique menu items.

This partnership allows Taco Bell to incorporate popular Frito-Lay snacks like Doritos and Cheetos into their dishes, giving customers new and exciting flavors to enjoy.

So, if you’re a fan of both PepsiCo and Taco Bell, you’ll be happy to know that there is collaboration happening behind the scenes to bring you delicious food options.

Taco Bell’s use of PepsiCo’s Frito-Lay division

PepsiCo’s Frito-Lay division collaborates with Taco Bell to create unique menu offerings. These collaborations bring together the flavors and textures of Frito-Lay snacks, like Doritos and Cheetos, with Taco Bell’s signature dishes.

For example, fans of both brands can enjoy the iconic Doritos Locos Tacos at Taco Bell, which features a taco shell made from nacho cheese-flavored Doritos chips.

This collaboration allows Taco Bell to offer innovative and delicious options that cater to different taste preferences.

Yum! Brands and its portfolio

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Yum! Brands owns other popular fast-food chains like KFC and Pizza Hut, and has a strong presence both in the US and globally.

Ownership of other fast-food chains

Yum! Brands, the owner of Taco Bell, also owns other fast-food chains. These include KFC and Pizza Hut. Yum! Brands entered the restaurant business in 1977 with the acquisition of Pizza Hut.

They later acquired Taco Bell in 1978 when PepsiCo Inc. purchased 868 Taco Bell restaurants for approximately $125 million.

This marked Taco Bell’s transition from a regional to a national fast-food chain. PepsiCo also acquired other fast-food chains like KFC and Pizza Hut around the same time as Taco Bell.

Growth and global presence

Taco Bell has experienced significant growth and now has a strong global presence. Since its acquisition by YUM! Brands in 1978, Taco Bell went from being a regional fast-food chain to becoming a national and international phenomenon.

YUM! Brands, the owner of Taco Bell, also owns other well-known fast-food chains like KFC and Pizza Hut. This gave Taco Bell access to resources and expertise that helped it expand its reach across different markets around the world.

Today, you can find Taco Bell restaurants in numerous countries, making it one of the leading players in the quick-service restaurant industry worldwide.

Conclusion

In conclusion, despite PepsiCo’s acquisition of Taco Bell in 1978, the fast-food chain is currently owned by YUM! Brands.

However, the collaborative relationship between PepsiCo and Taco Bell has continued over the years through various product offerings and partnerships.

While Pepsi may not own Taco Bell, their history together highlights the dynamic nature of the restaurant industry and brand collaborations.