The new national chain eatery is set to open any day
By Andrew Harris, photos by John Anderson
It has been many years since Wellsville’s food scene saw a new national chain move into town. Indus Hospitality Group has already brought Dunkin Donuts to their property on Main Street to accompany the Microtel Inn.
Now after an impressive construction effort has finished well ahead of schedule which featured the local talents of KS LaForge Excavation. The eat-in/takeout/drive thru Taco Bell is poised to open before the end of 2024, perhaps before the end of the week. Rumors of a “soft opening” today may yet materialize despite the snowy weather. We will update readers
Stay tuned for news about the opening and in the meantime read about the history of Taco Bell and some of our previous reporting on the new business:
Do you have the Taco Bell App ? Download here
1950 – 1960
1951
Glen Bell, inspired by friends and neighbors at Mitla Cafe, creates his own version of the Crunchy Taco.
1954
Before Glen Bell created Taco Bell, he started Bell’s Drive-In and Taco Tia in the San Bernardino area.
1962
Glen Bell opens his first Taco Bell restaurant in Downey, CA, serving what his customers called “Tay-Kohs.”
1964
Retired L.A. policemen, Kermit Becky, becomes Taco Bell’s first franchisee, opening a restaurant in Torrance, CA.
1967
Taco Bell’s 100th restaurant opens at 400 South Brookhurst in Anaheim.
1970 – 1980
1970
Taco Bell goes public with a total of 325 restaurants.
1978
Glen sold 868 Taco Bell restaurants to PepsiCo Inc., and became PepsiCo shareholder.
1980 – 1990
1984
Taco Bell introduces Taco Salad and Taco BellGrande.
1989
Taco Bell pioneers the concept of linking fast-food marketing promotions with major movie blockbusters. Its “Batman” promotion is a huge success, placing Taco Bell in the spotlight.
1990 – 2000
1990
Taco Bell launches the new 59¢-79¢-99¢ value initiative.
1991
Taco Bell launches new Express business to serve hungry people on-the-go.
1992
The Taco Bell Foundation unveils the TEENsupreme program partnering with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
1995
Taco Bell sponsors the first ESPN X Games.
1997
As the new parent of Taco Bell, Tricon declares its independence from the PepsiCo conglomerate.
1998
Gorditas burst onto the fast-food scene and became a nationwide sensation.
2000 – 2010
2001
Taco Bell promises a free taco to everyone in the U.S. if the falling space station MIR hits the floating Taco Bell target.
2002
Taco Bell Foundation donations hit $10 million mark. Donations support more than 500,000 at-risk teens participating in the TEENSupreme program.
2004
Taco Bell introduces the Mountain Dew BAJA BLAST!
2005
The Crunchwrap Supreme becomes Taco Bell’s most successful product introduction, and becomes a permanent menu addition in January 2006.
2010 – Present
2010
The new Tacobell.com site launches! From food to jobs to store locations, everything you want to know about Taco Bell is now just a click away! We mourn the loss of our founder, Glen Bell. One of our country’s greatest entrepreneurs and innovators, his legacy lives on in our people and our brand.
2012
Taco Bell helicopters 10,000 Doritos Locos Tacos to the remote town of Bethel, Alaska.
2014
Launched Taco Bell Mobile Ordering and Payment App
2015
Taco Bell delivery arrives to select markets across the country. The new Tacobell.com is born— including desktop ordering and The Feed. To save it from demolition, Taco Bell moved its original restaurant, Numero Uno, from Downey, CA to the Irvine headquarters.
2016
In February, Taco Bell launched the Quesalupa – a shell stuffed with melted pepper jack cheese. The Taco Bell Foundation launched the Live Más Scholarship, a program aimed at empowering the nation’s next generation of dreamers, innovators and creators.
2017
Wedding Bells are ringing as Taco Bell begins hosting weddings at the Las Vegas Cantina. Taco Bell released its first-ever retail collaboration, Forever 21 x Taco Bell. The men’s collection completely sold out online within the first day.
2018
Taco Bell launched Nacho Fries, the most successful product launch in the company’s history. Taco Bell 2032 – In honor of the return of Nacho Fries and the 25th Anniversary of Demolition Man, Taco Bell brought Taco Bell 2032 to life in a futuristic pop up dining experience at Comic Con San Diego.
