Taco Bell to return to the UAE via Americana Restaurants

Taco Bell is preparing to return to the United Arab Emirates more than a decade after its initial exit in 2012. The expansion will begin in Dubai before potentially spreading across the wider Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region through a phased rollout.

The comeback is being facilitated through an exclusive development agreement between Americana Restaurants and Taco Bell UK and Europe, a division of Yum! Brands. Americana Restaurants, which already operates brands such as KFC, Pizza Hut, and Hardee’s across 12 countries, will manage the regional infrastructure for the chain.

While specific dates and exact locations for the first branches have not been disclosed, the brand previously operated outlets in Dubai Mall, Deira City Centre, and Mirdif City Centre before closing all locations in 2012. The new venture enters a more competitive regional market that recently saw the entry of Chipotle in 2024.