Taco Bell Retirement Community: What We Know

Taco Bell has announced a new promotion called “The Cantinas,” which the fast-food giant is dubbing an “early retirement community.” This clever promotion is meant to inspire its customers to strive for their golden years while also promoting the establishment’s best and most popular meals. Let’s take a look at what else we know.

Taco Bell Retirement Community: The Cantinas

Taco Bell revealed earlier this month that it will be launching The Cantinas, an early retirement community with pickleball competitions, fitness sessions, and early dinners that include all of its best dishes.

The fast-food giant is set to debut The Cantinas in San Diego, California, on Aug. 17 and 18, according to Food & Wine. Only Rewards members — it is free to join, for those who have not already done so — will be able to access it. Starting July 16 at noon Eastern, members can purchase day passes or a weekend membership. For $150, a full weekend membership to The Cantinas will be offered, which includes overnight lodging for the ticket holder and their guest in addition to full access to all facilities, entertainment, food options, and leisure.

For those looking for a more affordable option, the $50 day pass will give the ticket holder and their guest unlimited access to the grounds, activities, food, and entertainment from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day.

“There’s a common misconception that retirement unlocks the life you’ve been waiting for. And while that may be true for some, we don’t think you should have to wait until 55 to live the life you’re craving,” Taylor Montgomery, the U.S. chief marketing officer of Taco Bell, shared in a statement to the outlet. “The Cantinas early retirement community, just like our brand, represents a place where all generations can come together, regardless of age, to Live their Más however they want.”

Value Menus All Summer Long

The Cantinas promotion is just the latest that Taco Bell is offering to its inflation-weary customers.

As was previously announced, the Mexican-themed restaurant announced the Taco Bell $7 Luxe Cravings Box late last month. The box includes:

• Chalupa Supreme
• Beefy 5-Layer Burrito
• Double Stacked Taco
• Chips and nacho cheese sauce
• Medium-size drink

“With the launch of the $7 Luxe Cravings Box, we’re giving consumers our most craveable items at an affordable price point and living up to our commitment on value to satisfy cravings with fan favorite full-sized menu items,” Montgomery said in an official statement. “Our Cravings Value Menu is one of the leading value menus within the industry, offering 10 items at under $3, because we believe consumers shouldn’t have to choose between affordability and abundance.”

This promotion will only be accessible for a limited time, though the fast-food staple restaurant did not specify how long.

Burger King, McDonald’s, Wendy’s, and other eateries have also turned to incentives in an attempt to win back financially strapped customers. In recent weeks, fast-food chains have reported that foot traffic at some of their sites has either stopped increasing or slowed down. There is also a decrease in the amount of customers who frequent casual dining restaurants such as Applebee’s and IHOP.

In recent years, restaurant chains have increased the pricing on their menus, blaming the growth in labor and food costs for the hike. While the federal minimum wage remains at $7.25 per hour, 22 states in the U.S. raised their minimum salaries in January.

Labor activists dispute that assertion, asserting that large fast-food franchises such as Taco Bell have little trouble funding the pay increases. The fast-food industry in California recorded profit margins in March, according to an analysis conducted by the Roosevelt Institute.