Taco Bell is returning to the UAE after a 14-year absence, with The National reporting that Americana Restaurants has signed an exclusive development agreement with Taco Bell UK and Europe Ltd. to bring the brand back to the Gulf.
The chain last operated in the UAE before exiting in 2012. The new deal covers a phased rollout starting in the UAE, with expansion planned into Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.
Taco Bell UAE return: what Americana brings to the deal
Americana Restaurants already operates KFC and Pizza Hut outlets across the region, and the Taco Bell agreement extends that multi-brand relationship with Yum! Brands into the Mexican-inspired quick-service segment. Gulf News reported that Americana described the UAE as ‘a natural starting point because of its diverse customer base, vibrant food culture and appetite for new dining concepts.’
Ankush Tuli, managing director of Taco Bell International, said Americana’s operational track record gave the brand confidence to pursue long-term growth across the region, according to Nation’s Restaurant News.
Mohamed Alabbar, Chairman of the Board of Americana Restaurants, said the brand would launch in Dubai first. ‘Taco Bell is the coolest brand in its category, built for a generation that wants great flavour, great value, and a little attitude,’ Alabbar said. ‘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.’
Sean Tresvant, Chief Executive Officer of Taco Bell, said the chain was ready to connect with a new generation of fans in the UAE. ‘For more than 64 years, Taco Bell has built a brand that consumers love, bold, distinctive, culturally relevant,’ Tresvant said. ‘We’re excited to continue our strong international momentum in the UAE, to connect with a new generation of fans, and bring the creativity, innovation and unmistakable Taco Bell experience that only our brand can deliver.’
Taco Bell now operates more than 9,000 restaurants globally, including over 1,200 locations across 40 markets outside the United States.
Americana’s expansion context
The Taco Bell deal arrives as Americana posts strong financial results. The company reported revenue of $1.36 billion for the six months ended 30 June 2026, up 12.1 per cent on the same period a year earlier, according to Gulf News. Net profit attributable to shareholders rose 59.2 per cent to $147.2 million over the same period, while EBITDA increased 26.7 per cent to $348.2 million.
Americana expects to add 120 to 130 new restaurants across its full portfolio by the end of 2026. That portfolio spans KFC, Pizza Hut, Hardee’s, Krispy Kreme, Costa Coffee, and Baskin-Robbins, spread across the Middle East, North Africa, and Kazakhstan. Taco Bell would be the first Mexican-inspired brand in that stable.
The UAE’s appetite for the category has grown since Taco Bell’s 2012 exit. Chipotle entered the market in 2014, and the segment has continued to attract interest from international operators since then, as noted by Yahoo Finance.
Specific opening locations and dates have not been announced. Alabbar’s remarks indicate Dubai will host the first outlet, with the wider UAE rollout and GCC expansion to follow.
