Taco Bell is returning to the UAE for the first time since 2012. The Taco Bell UAE relaunch is being run by Americana Restaurants under an exclusive development agreement with Taco Bell UK and Europe, a subsidiary of Yum! Brands. The first restaurants will open in Dubai, before the chain spreads across the Emirates and into other Gulf markets.
The move ends a 14-year absence. Taco Bell previously ran outlets at Dubai Mall, Deira City Centre and Mirdif City Centre, but pulled out of the country in 2012. This time it arrives with the region’s largest quick-service operator behind it: Americana runs KFC, Pizza Hut, Hardee’s, Krispy Kreme and Costa Coffee across 12 countries in the Middle East, North Africa and Kazakhstan, and already operates two Yum! brands regionally. Zawya reported the deal, and Arabian Business confirmed the Dubai-first plan.
What the Taco Bell UAE deal means
No opening date, locations or restaurant count have been disclosed. The announcement confirms the order of play: Dubai first, then a phased rollout across the GCC. Americana describes the agreement as its entry into the Mexican-inspired quick-service category — one that has heated up locally since Chipotle opened in Abu Dhabi in 2024 and reached Riyadh this month.
“Taco Bell is the coolest brand in its category, built for a generation that wants great flavour, great value, and a little attitude. Young people in our region are curious and adventurous so brands should keep surprising them. Dubai adopts what’s bold and tells the world about it. We will start here, get it right, and scale Taco Bell across the UAE and the GCC.”
Mohamed Alabbar, chairman of Americana Restaurants
Taco Bell operates more than 9,000 restaurants worldwide, including over 1,200 across roughly 40 markets outside the US. Its parent has set a target of 3,000 international locations by 2030, and the Gulf is a natural place to chase it.
“For more than 64 years, Taco Bell has built a brand that consumers love — bold, distinctive, culturally relevant — and we’re just getting started. We’re excited to continue our strong international momentum in the UAE.”
Sean Tresvant, chief executive of Taco Bell
Taco Bell UAE: what to expect
For UAE diners, the practical answer is that the chain is coming, and not much else is fixed yet. Americana’s track record with KFC and Pizza Hut suggests the rollout will lean on drive-thrus and delivery alongside dine-in, but the company has not confirmed a format. What is clear is that the UAE is the beachhead: Americana’s chairman says Dubai first, get it right, then scale across the region. Anyone who remembers the 2012 exit will be watching how this attempt sticks.
When will Taco Bell open in the UAE?
No opening date has been announced. Americana Restaurants has confirmed only that first restaurants will open in Dubai, before the brand expands across the UAE and into other GCC markets.
Was Taco Bell in the UAE before?
Yes. Taco Bell operated restaurants at Dubai Mall, Deira City Centre and Mirdif City Centre before pulling out of the country in 2012.
Who will operate Taco Bell in the UAE?
Americana Restaurants, under an exclusive development agreement with Taco Bell UK and Europe, a subsidiary of Yum! Brands. Americana already operates KFC and Pizza Hut for Yum! across the region.
