Taco Bell isn’t exactly a restaurant chain that lacks brand appeal. Yet, until Wednesday, you weren’t likely to see people walking down the street in hoodies, jackets, and T-shirts emblazoned with the company’s graphics and well-known taglines.
The Yum! Brands restaurant officially launched its first fashion collection collaboration with Forever 21—what its calling the Forever 21 x Taco Bell collection—in stores nationwide. The Wednesday celebration included a runway show modeled by Taco Bell “super fans and influencers,” live performances from Taco Bell Feed the Beat artist Cheat Codes, a pop-up Forever 21 boutique, and a live mural by artist Lefty Out There. Naturally, there was also a Taco Bell food truck on site.
The collection, inspired by iconic graphics that each brand is known for, Taco Bell said, is available online at Forever21.com and in select Forever 21 stores in the U.S. It features a mix of vibrant prints, tops, bodysuits, and cropped hoodies for women. “For men, a sweatshirt, hoodie, and anorak jacket are updated with pops of color and distinctive illustrations that effortlessly bring the heat. The exclusive collection also features select graphic tees, a pullover and hoodie for girls,” Taco Bell said in a release.
Taco Bell is not the only fast food giant releasing apparel these days. In July, KFC opened an online merchandise shop, KFC Ltd., to offer “fried chicken apparel and limited-edition goods.” Some items included: Fried chicken socks, a classic Colonel Sanders string bow tie, a “Finger Lickin’ Good” gold-plated necklace, and a Colonel Sanders pillowcase.
McDonald’s launched a one-day apparel line on July 26 to celebrate its continued expansion into delivery. Everything from a picnic blanket with fries and burgers printed on the front to a sweat suit with the tagline “World Famous” on the chest and down the leg of the pants was available for customers who ordered through UberEATS that day.
