A highly anticipated new restaurant has officially opened at Birmingham New Street Station following months of mounting excitement from local commuters.

Signs for the city centre’s first branch of Taco Bell went up in the empty unit back in April and now fans can finally sample the Mexican-inspired quick-service menu.

Located at the station’s main entrance directly opposite the Bull Ring shopping centre, the chain will be open daily between 11am to 11pm and stay open until midnight Thursday to Saturday.

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The New Street venue is the first Birmingham city centre branch and is also Taco Bell’s first railway station location in the UK.

Andy Jones, MD – One Retail commented: “We are really excited to announce this partnership to launch the iconic Taco Bell brand within Birmingham New Street station. This further widens the trusted brand partners we work with and expands our presence in the travel market.”

“Taco Bell’s opening in Birmingham New Street marks another exciting step forward in our rapid expansion across the UK and Ireland,” said Keyur Patel, Market Leader, Taco Bell UK & Ireland. “We’re proud to expand Taco Bell’s footprint and bring our bold flavours and iconic products to new consumers.”

Hamish Kiernan, Commercial Property Director, Network Rail“As Taco Bell opens its first railway station restaurant with us, it’s a great moment to reflect on how far we have come with our food and beverage offering. Our stations offer customers convenience, speed and quality, while our brands gain great footfall and fantastic growth prospects. Flagship brands like Taco Bell are seizing this opportunity and they join an already impressive line-up at Birmingham New Street”.

To celebrate the big opening, Taco Bell will be offering a free Crunchy Taco to the first 100 customers, plus the chance to spin the prize wheel to win some exclusive merch.

Guests can sign up for Taco Bell Rewards through the app, where new members receive a complimentary Crunchy Taco. Members earn points that can be redeemed for free menu items and rewards, plus exclusive access to exclusive offers and early releases. Fans can also skip the line by placing orders through the app before arriving at the store.

Taco Bell, which is based in Irvine, California, operates more than 8,700 restaurants worldwide. Known for its craveable and bold Mexican-inspired flavours, Taco Bell’s menu offers a variety of delicious products and unique tastes. Consumer favourites include the famous Crunchy Taco as well as Burritos, Quesadillas, Nachos, and the iconic Crunchwrap Supreme™.

Birmingham New Street is the UK’s busiest station outside London, welcoming over 54m passengers every year, serving as a major national rail hub connecting destinations across England, Wales and Scotland.