Taco Bell ups its beverage game with a new 'mocktails' menu
The new Refrescas menu is split into three categories: Agua Refrescas, Rockstar Energy Refrescas and the icy cold Refresca Freeze. Agua Refrescas come in Strawberry-Passionfruit, Dragonfruit-Berry and Mango-Peach—each shaken with real freeze-dried fruit pieces and a gentle kick of green tea caffeine. They're the perfect sip for breezy afternoons. For a bigger jolt, Taco Bell teamed up with Rockstar to deliver two energy-charged drinks: pineapple lime and tropical punch, each packing 200mg of caffeine. And for those chasing the chill, there's the Refresca Freeze. This frozen strawberry-lime treat is loaded with freeze-dried fruit bits and is sure to tame those hot summer days.
"We're seeing today that people, especially younger consumers, are reaching for refreshing drinks as part of their lifestyle, whether it's for energy or a sweet treat," said Liz Matthews, Taco Bell's Global Chief Food Innovation Officer in a statement. Following successful limited-time tests, Refrescas are now on menus nationwide, though officially for 'a limited time only, while supplies last.' Prices might vary depending on location.
But Taco Bell's drink strategy goes beyond new flavors. By the end of the year, the chain plans to add 30 more Live Más Cafés inside existing restaurants across Southern California and Texas. These cafés focus on specialty drinks—colorful, Instagram-ready options—served by specially trained "Bellristas."
It's all part of Taco Bell's push to make its beverages as iconic as its Crunchwraps. From tropical punch pleasers that double as energy boosters to frozen strawberry lime blends that taste like summer, Refrescas aim to be more than just drinks—they're an experience.
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Time Out
15-07-2025
- Time Out
Taco Bell ups its beverage game with a new 'mocktails' menu
This summer, Taco Bell is rolling out a new beverage lineup that's as bold as its tacos: Say hello to Refrescas, a six-drink menu crafted to quench every craving, from your midday slump to your late afternoon sweet tooth. The new Refrescas menu is split into three categories: Agua Refrescas, Rockstar Energy Refrescas and the icy cold Refresca Freeze. Agua Refrescas come in Strawberry-Passionfruit, Dragonfruit-Berry and Mango-Peach—each shaken with real freeze-dried fruit pieces and a gentle kick of green tea caffeine. They're the perfect sip for breezy afternoons. For a bigger jolt, Taco Bell teamed up with Rockstar to deliver two energy-charged drinks: pineapple lime and tropical punch, each packing 200mg of caffeine. And for those chasing the chill, there's the Refresca Freeze. This frozen strawberry-lime treat is loaded with freeze-dried fruit bits and is sure to tame those hot summer days. "We're seeing today that people, especially younger consumers, are reaching for refreshing drinks as part of their lifestyle, whether it's for energy or a sweet treat," said Liz Matthews, Taco Bell's Global Chief Food Innovation Officer in a statement. Following successful limited-time tests, Refrescas are now on menus nationwide, though officially for 'a limited time only, while supplies last.' Prices might vary depending on location. But Taco Bell's drink strategy goes beyond new flavors. By the end of the year, the chain plans to add 30 more Live Más Cafés inside existing restaurants across Southern California and Texas. These cafés focus on specialty drinks—colorful, Instagram-ready options—served by specially trained "Bellristas." It's all part of Taco Bell's push to make its beverages as iconic as its Crunchwraps. From tropical punch pleasers that double as energy boosters to frozen strawberry lime blends that taste like summer, Refrescas aim to be more than just drinks—they're an experience.
Reuters
09-07-2025
- Reuters
Nine months in, Starbucks CEO faces tall order in turnaround
July 9 (Reuters) - Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol earned a reputation on Wall Street as a miracle worker for wounded restaurant brands like Taco Bell and Chipotle. Nine months into his Starbucks tenure, investors are unsure if lightning will strike a third time. Shares jumped more than 21% on August 13, the day Niccol was named CEO, on hopes he would inject the company with new vitality after several quarters of falling sales and pressure from activist investor Elliott Investment Management. But demand has not yet reversed, Niccol has not shared any financial targets, and the stock remains sluggish. Niccol's "Back to Starbucks" initiative emphasizes a simplified menu, freshly baked goods, ceramic mugs with handwritten messages, and speedier service. "The experience of the coffeehouse defines our brand," Niccol told an audience of 14,000 store managers and leaders at a packed Las Vegas stadium in June. He said the company's previous removal of around 30,000 seats in stores as it prioritized mobile orders hurt the business and would be reversed. Starbucks' global same-store sales declined 1% for the quarter ending March 30, the fifth straight quarterly contraction. Analysis from research firm shows regular customers are coming in less often than before Niccol took over, said RJ Hottovy, head of analytical research. A Reuters review of the company's analysis derived from tens of millions of cell phone location points shows average monthly visits have declined in every month of 2025 compared to 2024. The average customer visited 2.4 times in February, compared to 2.48 last February. Even a small decrease spread over millions of visitors is meaningful, said. 'You have to win that trust back,' Hottovy said. Starbucks did not comment on analysis. Niccol is accelerating staffing increases to all 11,000-plus Starbucks-owned North American stores by the end of the summer, rather than to just a third of U.S. stores, and he describes his changes as "cleaning up some things that have been done in the past while investing in what I think needs to happen,' he told Reuters in Las Vegas. 'The earnings results will follow.' Staffing increases will vary by store, with details to be revealed at an investor day 'at some point in 2026." The lack of clarity is making investors hesitant. Shares have stagnated since his August 13 appointment, while the broad-market S&P 500 is up 15%. The stock's forward price-to-earnings ratio is 33.2, a higher valuation than McDonald's (MCD.N), opens new tab or Yum Brands (YUM.N), opens new tab. Dan Ahrens, chief executive at AdvisorShares, said his fund is currently avoiding Starbucks because of the uncertainty around the turnaround. "We're in a 'show-me' stage," he said. When Niccol started on September 9, a narrow majority of analysts recommended buying Starbucks stock. Now, more recommend holding or selling. TD Cowen analyst Andrew Charles downgraded shares to 'hold" on May 29, expecting fiscal 2026 earnings to fall short of Wall Street's consensus. "What the Street is trying to figure out is, what's the lift in sales I'm going to get from this?" he said. Bernstein analysts said on July 2 that the staffing surge will cost $1.5 billion to $2 billion in the next two years, but it expects it to reduce turnover and improve same-store sales. Greg Flynn, a restaurant franchisee whose company owns more than 300 Taco Bells, said Niccol 'gets the credit for turning that momentum forward with a relentless parade of new product innovations and exceptional advertising and promotion' as Taco Bell CEO from 2015 to 2018. At Chipotle, same-store sales rose from 2.2% year-over-year in March 2018 when he took over to 31% roughly three years later. Flynn said 'Back to Starbucks' follows that playbook. 'Figure out what people really loved about your brand from the beginning and embrace that,' he said. 'It takes discipline, it takes expenses, and it always meets a lot of opposition.' There are critics in Starbucks' union, Starbucks Workers United, which represents workers at more than 600 locations. Unionized baristas staged walk-outs at dozens of stores in June to protest new dress code restrictions Niccol introduced. Michelle Eisen, a 15-year Starbucks barista who now works for the union full-time, criticized moves such as requiring visitors to pay to use the restrooms or get water, 'neither of which promote a welcoming coffeehouse atmosphere.' Starbucks said changes to its policies came out of discussions with employees and customers. One notable Niccol fan? Former CEO Howard Schultz, who has a history of criticizing those who succeeded him. He physically embraced Niccol on stage in Las Vegas. 'I have never, in my entire life at Starbucks, been more optimistic than I am today,' he said.
Daily Mail
25-06-2025
- Daily Mail
Popular Southern fast food chain known for 'biscuits and gravy' declares war on Taco Bell with new menu item
Bojangles is stepping into the breakfast burrito game — and taking a not-so-subtle swipe at Taco Bell in the process. The Southern fast-food chain launched its new Breakfast Bo-Ritos on Monday, packing sausage, eggs, crispy Bo-Rounds, Monterey Jack cheese, and sausage gravy into a tortilla, with a side of Texas Pete hot sauce. The burritos, which will typically cost $4.49, will be available at participating locations through mid-August. 'We're always listening to our fans, and the Bo-Rito is our bold, flavorful answer to their craving for something new at breakfast,' Bojangles CMO Tom Boland told 'It's everything we love about a classic Bojangles breakfast, all wrapped up and ready to eat. We can't wait for folks to try it.' The breakfast offering came a week after Taco Bell brought back Crispy Chicken Tacos and debuted Crispy Chicken Burritos to celebrate its 'crispy chicken era.' Bojangles, known for its 'biscuits and gravy' and expensive sandwich options, operates over 800 restaurants, making it one of the nation's fastest-growing quick-service chicken chains. Its restaurant count is nothing compared to Taco Bell's amount of over 8,000. However, both of them are rapidly expanding, and have been on successful financial streaks. Bojangles has proven to be a crucial reason why chicken sales have spiked by 9 percent this year. The 48-year-old business started off with one restaurant in 1977 before opening restaurants in 16 additional states. The chain became private in 2018 after it was acquired by Durational Capital Management LP and The Jordan Company, LP for $593.7 million. With its business continuing to skyrocket, Bojangles is exploring the idea to sell itself for over $1.5 billion. 'Bojangles has been growing, which supports a high valuation, but it also has potential for further expansion which is baked into the purchase price,' Retail expert Neil Saunders, of GlobalData, told 'Any buyer would want to ramp up store openings and geographical expansion as part of a playbook to recoup their investment.' The potential business opportunity was announced shortly after its major competitor Dave's Hot Chicken agreed to sell to Roark Capital for about $1 billion. Other competitors in eye-watering deals include the Subway sandwich chain for $9.6 billion and Jersey Mike's for $8 billion. Bojangles is not planning on stopping its nationwide expansion plan. The chain signed a deal to expand its restaurants in Southern California and is aiming to sell out the Los Angeles market. It's also adding new restaurants in Houston, all of which should be open by September. 'These expansions mark a bold step forward as we continue our journey to bring Bojangles' signature menu and Southern hospitality to even more communities,' said Brooks Speirs, vice president of franchise development. has reached out to Bojangles for comment about its new Bo-Ritos.
