<P> In 1991, Taco Bell opened the first Taco Bell Express in San Francisco . This concept is a reduced - size restaurant with a limited menu (primarily items priced under $1), meant to emphasize volume . Taco Bell Express locations operate primarily inside convenience stores, truck stops, shopping malls, and airports . </P> <P> Taco Bell began co-branding with KFC in 1995 when the first such co-brand opened in Clayton, North Carolina . The chain has since co-branded with Pizza Hut and Long John Silver's as well . Also in 1995, Taco Bell bought Kalamazoo, Michigan - based hamburger chain Hot' n Now, but sold it off in 1995 due to unprofitability . </P> <P> In 1997, PepsiCo experimented with a new "fresh grill" concept, opening at least one Border Bell restaurant in Mountain View, California on El Camino Real (SR 82). In addition to a subset of the regular Taco Bell menu, Border Bell offered Mexican - inspired items like those available from Chevys Fresh Mex restaurants (then owned by PepsiCo), such as Chevys signature sweet corn tamalito pudding and a fresh salsa bar . Close to the time that PepsiCo spun off its restaurant business in 1997, the Border Bell in Mountain View was closed and converted to a Taco Bell restaurant which was still open in 2012 . </P> <P> Taco Bell created U.S. Taco Co. in 2014 . The menu consists of tacos with American fillings, and will not sell food sold in Taco Bell restaurants such as burritos . It was launched in Huntington Beach, California in August 2014 . </P>

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