Taco Bell is set to return to the United Arab Emirates under an exclusive development agreement with Americana Restaurants, a subsidiary of Yum! Brands. The chain last operated in the UAE in 2012, when it withdrew after entering the market in 2008.
Americana Restaurants, which operates KFC and Pizza Hut across the Middle East and North Africa, has signed the agreement to relaunch Taco Bell in the UAE before expanding into other Gulf markets. The companies did not announce an opening date or location for the first restaurant.
A 2025 case study by Ivey Publishing attributed Taco Bell's earlier withdrawal to "strategic misalignments" and competition from established restaurant brands. The study also noted that the UAE market has changed since Taco Bell's departure, with growth in the expatriate population and increased consumption of Mexican cuisine.
Sean Tresvant, chief executive of Taco Bell, said the company was "excited to continue our strong international momentum in the UAE, to connect with a new generation of fans." Americana cited the country's diverse population, vibrant food culture and appetite for new concepts as reasons for launching there before expanding regionally.
Taco Bell operates more than 9,000 restaurants globally, including more than 1,200 across about 40 markets outside the US. Mubadala Capital, an Abu Dhabi-based asset manager, acquired K-MAC Enterprises, one of the largest Taco Bell franchisees in the US, in 2021.
