Fast-food chains have a mixed relationship with social media and taking advice from fans who demand menu changes.
McDonald's (MCD) has literally trolled its own customers, making jokes about the much-lamented Snack Wraps and asking fans which items they want to see returned to the menu -- but never actually bringing back those much-loved (but hard to make) favorites.
On the other hand, Yum Brands (YUM) Taco Bell has sort of taken a no-menu-item-is-truly-gone approach. Some even argue that the chain intentionally removes popular items from its menu so it can triumphantly brought them back -- a la the Mexican Pizza from last summer and fall.
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Taco Bell, of course, changes its menu a lot. That's partly because most of its offerings consist of varying the fillings and toppings inside tacos, burritos, and other tortilla- or taco-shell-based variants. It's really easy for the chain to swap in a new protein, sauce, or topping and create a new menu item.
That's sort of what the chain is doing with its latest menu return -- the Bacon Club Chalupa.
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Taco Bell Responds to Its Customers
While it's not a particularly large group, a Facebook group named "Bring Back the Bacon Club Chalupa" is dedicated to exactly that effort. And the group is getting its wish: Multiple reports cite internal Taco Bell documents saying that the well-liked item will return on March 9, possibly for just a few weeks.
"I believe i have been informed by one of our faithful, that our time IS UPON US! IT HATH BEEN FORETOLD! and whatever crispaduboopi is being released too BUT OUR TIME TOO HAS COME #tacobell #prophecy2023," the owner of the Bacon Chalupa Facebook group shared.
The menu item in question has been brought back many times since it was first introduced in 2008.
The Bacon Club Chalupa consists of a crispy chalupa shell filled with grilled chicken, bacon bits, avocado ranch sauce, three cheese blend, lettuce, and diced tomatoes.
"Although not officially announced yet, Taco Bell’s Bacon Club Chalupa is expected to be available at participating locations nationwide for a limited time from March 9 through April 19, 2023," according to the Fast Food Post.
Taco Bell's Strategy Has Been Working
Taco Bell manages its menu as aggressively as any of its fast-food rivals. That has paid off dramatically, according to Yum Chief Executive David Gibbs, who spoke on the company's fourth-quarter-earnings call.
"Taco Bell U.S. grew system sales 14%, underpinned by an exceptional 11% same-store sales growth," he said.
"The powerful momentum from previous quarters continued with the relaunch of the cult classic Mexican Pizza, for which we provided early access to our loyalty members. We ended the year with around 45 million Mexican Pizzas sold, an impressive number considering they were only available for four months of the year."
The chain did well in a tough economic climate, with its success not limited to the U.S.
"Overall, Taco Bell did a terrific job this quarter at balancing both ends of the consumer spectrum by featuring premium products that our consumers crave, such as the Grilled Cheese Burrito with sharply priced items like Nacho Fries," Gibbs added.
"At Taco Bell International, Q4 system sales grew 23%, driven by 29% unit growth and 4% same-store sales growth."
