Taco Bell’s Live Más Café Set to Launch in Orange and Irvine: Here’s What You Need to Know

Taco Bell is hitting a new milestone this summer by opening its first Live Más Café in Orange, California. This exciting development comes just a stone’s throw from their headquarters in Irvine, where a second café will also be established. While the exact location in Irvine is still under wraps, Taco Bell is making waves with its innovative beverage-focused concept, which had its first successful launch in Chula Vista last December. As part of its expansion strategy, Taco Bell aims to extend the Live Más Café initiative to over 30 existing locations throughout Southern California, including popular areas like San Diego and Los Angeles County.

What is Live Más Café?

The Live Más Café concept is more than just a twist on the traditional Taco Bell experience; it focuses primarily on an array of innovative beverages. The café’s beverage lineup includes Churro Chillers and Refrescas, which serve as Taco Bell’s unique take on aguas frescas. Alongside these refreshing drinks, patrons can also enjoy some beloved items from the standard Taco Bell menu. This approach caters to customers seeking to quench their thirst and indulge in delicious snacks all in one place, making it an attractive option for both new and loyal customers alike.

First Location Details

Taco Bell has confirmed that the first Live Más Café will open at 468 S Main St. in Orange, conveniently located near the Children’s Hospital of Orange County’s main campus. This location not only aims to attract local residents but also families visiting the hospital, providing an ideal venue for a quick snack or refreshing drink. With the opening set for this summer, the anticipation is growing, and Taco Bell fans are eager to experience this new concept firsthand.

Menu Expansions and Innovations

While gearing up for the grand opening, Taco Bell has also made its Live Más concept more widely accessible by adding six new Refrescas flavors to its traditional menu at existing restaurants. The new flavors include Strawberry Passionfruit and Mango Peach, priced at approximately $3.89 and $4.89 respectively for those invigorated with Rockstar Energy. This menu expansion is designed to enhance customer experience at existing Taco Bell locations and provide more beverage options before the Live Más Cafés fully roll out.

Comparison with Taco Bell Cantina

It’s essential to note that the Live Más Café differs significantly from Taco Bell Cantina. While Cantina locations possess liquor licenses and offer a more extensive menu — including alcoholic beverages — the Live Más Café focuses specifically on non-alcoholic drink options along with select food items. Currently, there are three Cantina locations in Southern California, located in Newport Beach, Los Angeles, and Hollywood. Both concepts show Taco Bell’s dedication to diversifying its offerings and catering to various customer preferences.

Industry Trends and Competitors

Taco Bell’s venture into the beverage landscape comes on the heels of a trend among fast-food chains exploring specialized beverage concepts. A noteworthy comparison can be made to McDonald’s CosMc initiative, which aimed to spin off its beverage line but was recently shelved. While McDonald’s plans to continue testing CosMc beverages in select locations, this has opened the door for Taco Bell to capitalize on the beverage market. The evolving dynamic in fast food demonstrates a shift in focus, and Taco Bell’s Live Más Café is well-positioned to lead the charge in combining food and drink experiences.

In summary, Taco Bell’s upcoming Live Más Café locations in Orange and Irvine reflect an exciting shift in how the brand approaches offerings, focusing on beverages while still ensuring food favorites are available. With plans to expand beyond these initial locations and the integration of new drink options at existing restaurants, Taco Bell seems intent on capturing a growing market eager for unique beverage experiences. This innovative approach positions Taco Bell to stay ahead in the competitive fast-food landscape and adds a fresh take to consumer dining options.