Taco Bell accelerating international expansion

Taco Bell’s growth outside the United States is on fire.

The quick-serve chain, a division of Yum! Brands, kicked off 2022 by surpassing international milestones abroad and opening the doors to its 100th restaurant in Spain, one of its fastest-growing global markets.

Taco Bell, which ended the year with 7,791 units, of which approximately 790 were international, said it is on track to operate more than 1,000 restaurants outside the United States. Unlike its U.S. business, all of Taco Bell’s international locations are run by franchisees

The company opened its first international restaurant in 1973. During the last two years, it has grown its global store count by more than 25%. This year, it will continue to open in major cities across India, Australia and the U.K., all markets that accelerating quickly and reaching growth milestones of their own, according to the company.

"Our international franchise partners and team members in Taco Bell restaurants around the world fuel the fire of our brand and are a huge testament to what we are building together," said Julie Felss Masino, president of Taco Bell, International.

Digital innovation has helped to accelerate its international expansion milestones, the company said. Taco Bell's digital sales are the highest of all Yum! Brands international businesses, surpassing 50% growth year-over-year. Taco Bell UK now drives 60% of its business through digital -- the highest of any international market.

The brand has also rolled out a number of digital enhancements at home, including, most recently, a mobile subscription plan for tacos. And in August, it broke ground on a new store model that offers enhanced drive-thru service for customers who order via mobile app or third-party delivery platform.

[Read more: Taco Bell preps new ‘Defy’ frictionless drive-thru concept for ‘22]