EXCLUSIVE: Taco Bell discusses product innovation
“Our new Chicken Nachos are completely disrupting the crispy chicken game,” said Ellen Gault, marketing leader of Taco Bell Europe. “For years, society has been subject to the same boring chicken. That’s all going to change thanks to our newest crispy chicken product, inspired by Taco Bell U.S., but with a UK twist.”
Taco Bell is pushing the boundaries from the norm of traditional crispy chicken with its newest menu innovation - the Chicken Nachos. The new innovative product features all-white-meat chicken in a crispy cheesy coating with a mild kick. They are paired with warm nacho cheese sauce.
Five chicken nachos with a warm nacho cheese dipping sauce are available in Taco Bell UK restaurants for £1.99. Customers can also enjoy the product in a box offering including the Chicken Nachos Quesadilla, a crunchy taco, regular side, a regular drink, and churros featuring dulce de leche sauce, all for just £6.69.
QSR Media spoke to Taco Bell to find out more about the new menu item:
QSR Media: What’s the UK twist to the product?
The Chicken Nachos we launched in the UK have a unique little kick to them, which really elevates the product above that of regular chicken nuggets. The coating of our Chicken Nachos also has cheesy flecks which add an extra crunch and the perfect flavour complement to our Nacho Cheese Sauce.
QSR Media: What other menu innovations do you have coming up?
Currently, we are working on an exciting cross-promotional launch with a big brand due to commence next month. The product and the partnership were inspired by one of the most famous burritos in the U.S, and dials into some of our most craveable product attributes - cheesy and crunchy!
QSR Media: Will you be introducing any of the recent popular menu items from the US?
Our plans over the next 12 months are to continue to bring our fans craveable, innovative products, at a great value! We are constantly innovating by deep diving into local consumer and food trends, monitoring how our current menu items perform, and even sit down with our customers to get their feedback. We also look to the U.S. for inspiration on future products. Our Chicken Nachos for example was based off the U.S. business’s version of it, called “Naked Chicken Chips".
Without giving too much away, there are lot’s more exciting product launches planned for the remainder of the year, so watch this space!
QSR Media: How long will the chicken nachos be on the menu for? How popular are they proving?
So far the Chicken Nachos have been the most successful product launch in the UK. There has been a tremendous amount of work that went into the launch, so it’s always worth it when the end result is a product our fans absolutely love! They will only be around for another month or so though, being swapped out by our next exciting innovation so you’ll need to hurry to try some before they’re gone!
