295 million pounds
What: It takes a whole lot of meat to make those tacos, nachos and burritos that Taco Bell serves to more than 2 billion consumers each year. ¡Ay caramba! Taco Bell consumers also eat 3.8 billion corn and flour tortillas, 62 million pounds of pinto beans, and 106 million pounds of cheese in an average year.
Why: Taco Bell is the leading Mexican-style fast-food chain in the U.S., and more than 2 billion tacos and 1 billion burritos are served in its restaurants yearly.
Get this: If “think outside the bun” comes to mind every now and again, it’s because nearly 150 million people see a Taco Bell commercial each week — nearly half the U.S. population. As for the fast food chain’s newest “diet” ad campaign, we’re left scratching our heads: satire, or for real?
Was Taco Bell the gateway for Americans to accept Mexicans? Commentator Gustavo Arellano says yes in his Marketplace commentary.
