Prices last updated: October 29, 2026
Taco Bell had 9,046 restaurants worldwide as of June 30, 2026, according to its parent company, Yum! Brands. About 86% of them, roughly 7,800, are in the United States, which makes Taco Bell the largest Mexican-inspired restaurant chain in the country. Here is where they are and how to find one.
How many Taco Bell locations are there?
| Restaurants | |
|---|---|
| Worldwide (June 30, 2026) | 9,046 |
| United States (86%) | about 7,800 |
| Outside the U.S. (14%) | about 1,270 |
| A year earlier (June 30, 2025) | 8,756 |
Source: Yum! Brands second-quarter 2026 results. U.S. and international counts are calculated from the 86% U.S. share Yum! reports.
Franchised vs. company-owned
Most Taco Bells are owned by franchisees: Yum! Brands says the company owned 8% of Taco Bell’s U.S. restaurants as of June 30, 2026, so about 92% are franchised. That is why prices and hours vary from one Taco Bell to the next; each franchisee sets its own. See Taco Bell prices by city.
Where are Taco Bell restaurants?
Taco Bells are found across the United States, from big cities to highway exits. For this site we checked one restaurant in each of 58 cities, from Anchorage and Honolulu to Miami and Portland, Maine. Taco Bell is also growing abroad, with restaurants in countries across the Americas, Europe and Asia. It continues to open new restaurants every quarter: the worldwide count grew by 290 in the year to June 2026.
Types of Taco Bell locations
- Drive-thru restaurants: the most common format; 44 of the 58 restaurants we checked had a drive-thru.
- Taco Bell Cantina: urban restaurants, often without a drive-thru, some of which serve alcohol.
- Express and non-traditional: smaller counters in travel centers, airports, malls and college campuses, often with a shorter menu.
How to find a Taco Bell near you
Use the store locator in the Taco Bell app or on tacobell.com, or search “Taco Bell near me” in Google Maps. Our Taco Bell near me guide explains how to find one open now, and Taco Bell hours covers late nights and breakfast.
Taco Bell history
Glen Bell opened the first Taco Bell in Downey, California, in 1962, and the first franchised restaurant opened in 1964. PepsiCo bought Taco Bell in 1978; in 1997 PepsiCo spun off its restaurants as the company now called Yum! Brands, which also owns KFC and Pizza Hut. Taco Bell is headquartered in Irvine, California.
Taco Bell locations FAQ
How many Taco Bell locations are there?
9,046 worldwide as of June 30, 2026, according to Yum! Brands, up from 8,756 a year earlier. About 86%, roughly 7,800, are in the United States.
Who owns Taco Bell?
Taco Bell is owned by Yum! Brands, Inc., which also owns KFC and Pizza Hut. Most individual restaurants are run by franchisees.
Where is Taco Bell headquartered?
Taco Bell is headquartered in Irvine, California. The first Taco Bell opened in Downey, California, in 1962.