Taco Bell® Rings in 2017 with New Year's Commitments

IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In the spirit of New Year’s, millions of resolutions will be made. Instead of setting unrealistic resolutions that start out with the best of intentions and fizzle out by February, Taco Bell is making New Year’s commitments to its food, people and restaurants – and will keep them long past February.

Taco Bell is welcoming the next 365 days with commitments that reflect more of what its fans want, less of what they don’t and build on its momentum of being a modern brand that’s current, creative and has a cause.

See what New Year’s commitments Taco Bell will be sticking to in 2017. And, as a bonus, they may just help you stick to yours.

• Getting rid of things that customers told us don’t make sense anymore:
  • Taco Bell is saying goodbye to its XL soda cups in 2017.
  • By early 2017, the brand will remove all antibiotics important to human medicine from its chicken across U.S. restaurants.
  • Where possible, Taco Bell is removing preservatives and other additives from its food by 2018 across its U.S. restaurants.
• Giving fans more of what they want:
  • Taco Bell reached its goal to serve only 100% cage-free whole eggs on its breakfast menu. Now, the brand is expanding its commitment to serve 100% cage-free egg ingredients across the core menu. That means the eggs used to create its avocado ranch sauce, creamy jalapeno sauce, habanero sauce and creamy chipotle sauce will be made with cage-free egg ingredients come January 1, 2018.
• Cutting back on the salt:
  • Taco Bell reduced sodium by 15% on average across its menu since 2008, but isn’t stopping there. By 2025, Taco Bell will grow that number by an additional 10%, for a 25% reduction across its menu, while still delivering the same bold flavors fans love.
• Giving employees and customers the opportunities they need to turn their dreams into goals:
  • The Live Más Scholarship will be bigger, better and bolder in 2017 with the help of the 2016 recipients and $1.3 million to support the next wave of creators, innovators and dreamers.
  • Taco Bell is also committing to creating 100,000 U.S. jobs by 2022, and continuing to support all its team members with education and training programs, whether they start with the company, or stay with Taco Bell.
  • Because youth are the heart and soul of the brand, Taco Bell is committing to hire 1.5 million young adults over the next 10 years.
• Being good neighbors in all its communities:
  • In 2017, through its new restaurant concepts, Taco Bell will better reflect the local communities by reducing energy consumption and featuring more reclaimed materials and sustainable landscape features. The company will also update its packaging to celebrate its craveable food, while remaining environmentally conscious. Up next: The Fiesta Taco Salad is moving from plastic to a paper box.

But, some things are best left untouched. Taco Bell doesn’t think choosing food you feel good about should come at the cost of breaking the bank – so fans can expect the $1 All Day Menu and $5 Box to continue. And, because moderation is key – and more realistic – those uniquely Taco Bell, craveable, cheesy, often-indulgent items are here to stay.

With these 2017 commitments come another year full of open and honest communication with customers and fans. Taco Bell has made its policies and positions available on Ta.co for full transparency on where the brand stands on various topics. And this year, for the first time, Taco Bell is developing a Purpose Report to give you a closer look at the causes that matter to the brand.

If reflecting on the previous year before ringing in the new is your thing – check out ta.co here for a look at what Taco Bell brought you in 2016.

About Taco Bell Corp.
Taco Bell Corp., a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE: YUM), is the nation's leading Mexican-inspired quick service restaurant (QSR) brand. From breakfast to late night, Taco Bell serves made-to-order and customizable tacos and burritos, among other craveable choices, and is the first QSR restaurant to offer American Vegetarian Association (AVA)-certified menu items. Taco Bell and its more than 350 franchise organizations proudly serve over 42 million customers each week through 7,000 restaurants across the nation, as well as through its mobile, desktop and delivery ordering services. Overseas, Taco Bell has over 250 restaurants, with plans to add 2,000 more restaurants internationally within the next decade. The brand encourages its fans to “Live Más” and connects with them through sports, gaming and new music via its Feed the Beat® music program. Taco Bell also provides education opportunities and serves the community through its nonprofit organization, the Taco Bell® Foundation™, and connects fans with their passions through programs such as the Live Más Scholarship program. In 2016, Taco Bell was named as one of Fast Company’s Top 10 Most Innovative Companies in the World.

Like: Facebook.com/tacobell – Follow: @TacoBell (Twitter), tacobell (Instagram) and tacobell (Snapchat) – Subscribe: YouTube.com/tacobell – Explore: ta.co