Taco Bell plans to open between 300 and 350 “Cantina” locations by 2022, bringing its alcohol-focused concept to urban areas around the country.
According to an article in Food & Wine, Taco Bell will focus on large cities, like Detroit, Pittsburgh, Boston, and New York, as it looks to expand the model, which doesn’t have a drive thru. In the Big Apple alone, Taco Bell aims to open at least 50.
The “urban in-line” units will serve wine, sangria, beer, and Twisted Freezes—alcohol smoothies with tequila, rum, or vodka.
“One of the cool things happening in America right now is the revitalization of urban areas, and we’re seeing millennials moving into downtown areas,” Mike Grams, Taco Bell’s chief operating officer told Food & Wine.
Taco Bell Cantina came to life in October 2015. The hip design debuted in Chicago and San Francisco, and was geared toward locals, millennial consumers, and those looking to go out for drinks.
Taco Bell has used 2022 as a target date in recent campaigns, saying it hopes to extend its sales from $10 billion to $15 annually and create 100,000 new jobs. It also plans to award $10 million scholarships by that date and grow its unit count by roughly 200 stores annually, or a total of 8,000 stateside and 9,000 global by 2022.