Taco Bell never hesitates to experiment with Mexican food. This "fusion" Mexican dish uses ingredients that are seldom utilized in traditional Mexican cookery.
The chain's new Steak and Bacon Grilled Cheese Burrito may appear daring, but it's also familiar, like something Taco Bell has offered for years.
The Steak and Bacon Grilled Cheese Burrito from Taco Bell has marinated, grilled steak, potatoes, chipotle sauce, nacho cheese sauce, reduced-fat sour cream, and three-cheese mix in a warm flour tortilla with extra cheese and bacon on top.
The new $5.99 burrito has 700 calories. The $8.99 Steak and Bacon Grilled Cheese Burrito combination box includes a large fountain drink and a crispy taco.
Taco Bell has increased profits despite customer caution. The chain's latest quarter operating margin was 25%.
"Taco Bell's ability to maintain such strong margin performance despite mid-single-digit inflation once again shows the power and
resilience of its company structure and preserves their compelling unit economics, that remain near an all-time high," the CFO said on the second-quarter earnings call.
"This quarter, the team created a campaign to liberate Taco Tuesday in a first-ever global Tortilla Tuesday campaign spanning 19 markets in partnership wit a true global icon, LeBron James," the CEO said.
Taco Bell's use of a non-Taco Bell concept caused criticism. It walked the line between ingenious and major brand overreach. The chain had other successful promotions throughout the quarter.
"Other promotions in the quarter that have contributed to Taco Bell's winning magic growth formula include both our $5 Hunger signals Trio and Deluxe Build Your Own Cravings box," CEO said.