Exactly What We Need: Taco Bell Is Opening Something Called 'Defy' That Will Attempt To Change The Drive Thru World Forever
[Taco Bell] - One of its most innovative Taco Bell restaurant designs yet, Taco Bell Defy is set to break ground in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, later this month. With plans to open its doors to the public by summer 2022, the 3,000 square-foot, two-story model features first-of-its-kind Vertical Works Inc.-licensed design and technology, and represents a true franchisee-franchisor relationship at its finest. The best part? The revolutionary pickup experience at the Defy restaurant is expected to be the fastest way ever to get Taco Bell – from cruising into any of its four lanes, to checking in, to grabbing your Taco Bell favorites – it's the frictionless future of Taco Bell.
The innovative restaurant reimagines the traditional drive-thru experience with four lanes, three of which are dedicated to mobile or delivery order pickups, providing fast, skip-the-line service for customers who order via the Taco Bell app and third-party delivery services. These three lanes will supplement one traditional lane, easing the flow of traffic and ensuring a speedy experience. All of this will help Taco Bell Defy's footprint, which is smaller or equal to existing store footprints, serve even more customers.
The Defy concept takes Taco Bell's digital infrastructure to new heights, too. Digital check-in screens allow mobile order customers to scan in their order via a unique QR code, then pull forward for a pickup experience that defies gravity: food is delivered seamlessly and in a contactless manner via a proprietary lift system, while two-way audio and video technology lets customers interact directly with the team members above in real time. The elevated kitchen design will optimize and streamline operations for the benefit of both Taco Bell team members and customers.
It's only fitting that I found this story on a Sunday night. This story should only be told on a Sunday or late night Friday/Saturday. But it's too good to just sit on and not talk about. Taco Bell Defy is going to change the world. Getting rid of drive-thru lines or at least try to eliminate them as much as possible? Fuck yes. I don't care if it's a ploy just to order through an app. Sitting in a drive-thru line is one of my biggest annoyances in the world. I know I can't do anything about it. I know I can't get mad. But sitting there just waiting to order and then the pull up, stop, pull up, stop. It drives me insane. I'm very much a 'well I'm hungry now so I'd like that food as soon as possible. That's what we're getting here with Taco Bell Defy.
You really gotta hand it to Taco Bell. They put on nothing but the hits when it comes to food despite being able to count the ingredients for the entire menu on one hand. Then they keep giving us something new. It could be the hotel, it could be the Cantina, it could be wine, it could be something really cool that I've never seen before. All I know is I can go to Minnesota where gravity is defied. Do you know how fucking awesome that sounds? That's even before you realize you're getting a Baja Blast and three cheesy gordita crunches delivered from some lift system.
I have no idea how it's going to work. But I'm convinced it's going to change the world. Think about it and how we've seen shit change in the food world. Delivery service changed how we did things. Then we got Uber Eats and all the apps. And now we have this. Not to mention just look at that drawing. That place looks AWESOME. I'd think it's a place to go hang out at for a little, not just a Taco Bell. If there's one thing the world needed right now it's the ability to get Taco Bell faster. For that I am thankful. This should help ease any and all Sunday Scaries now, especially if you live in Minnesota.