In an era of throwback logos and throwback branding, Taco Bell adds a new twist: throwback corporate synergy.
Up until 1997, PepsiCo owned Taco Bell, KFC, Pizza Hut, and a few other fast food chains in addition to its soft drink and snack chip (Frito Lay) empires. At that time, PepsiCo spun off the restaurants to newly-formed Tricon (which formed Yum Brands) and I feared the beginning of the end of delicious Pepsi in some of my favorite fast food eateries. After all, there was a time in the not-too-distant past that Burger King served Pepsi over Coke.
Now Taco Bell is rolling out a new $2 meal that includes one menu item, a fountain beverage, and a bag of Doritos. Taco Bell, you never cease to amaze me with your efforts to keep costs low to offer cheap prices. I mean, I thought the meatless potato taco was extreme, but this beats all.
I'm still not sure how I feel about this admittedly clever idea. My first reaction is that Taco Bell already has a side of nachos that hopefully won't be going anywhere. But then I have to say Quiznos and Subway have been getting away with bags of chips as sides for years so it would be hypocritical of me to pan Taco Bell for doing the same thing.
