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Tag: Taco Bell

  • Panchayat fans elect early release, season 4 now drops on 24 June

    Panchayat fans elect early release, season 4 now drops on 24 June

    MUMBAI: Panchayat fans have spoken, and Prime Video has listened. The wildly popular rural dramedy is returning sooner than expected — with season 4 now set to stream from 24 June, pulling ahead from its earlier 2 July release date.

    What caused the shift? A quirky, tongue-in-cheek referendum-style campaign where cast members made mock “election promises” to release the show early — but only if fans cast their votes (read: likes, shares, hashtags).

    The social media blitz went viral, with the hashtag #PanchayatNow trending and a brigade of brands jumping into the fray with punny pleas and snackable slogans.

    From AJIO and Pepperfry to McCain, Taco Bell, Ixigo, and True Elements, everyone threw their hat into the digital ring. The campaign — crafted by The Zoya Co. — merged humour, nostalgia, and cultural relevance, turning brand posts into fan love letters.

    Speaking on this campaign, McCain India retail – digital lead, Sumati Kapur said, “Panchayat is more than just a show, it’s a reflection of the everyday Indian family dynamic, rooted in culture, community, and shared experiences. At McCain, we saw a natural synergy in collaborating with a show that every household relates to. Our hot and crispy snacks are a staple in family conversations, chai breaks, and everything in between just like the moments Panchayat so effortlessly captures. This partnership allowed us to create meaningful noise by placing McCain at the heart of relatable, real storytelling that resonates across generations.”

    The fan-first push is not just a win for early binge-watchers — it reflects Panchayat’s cult status. The series has struck a chord with audiences for its grounded humour and affectionate portrayal of small-town India.

    With season 4 promising a fiery face-off between Pradhanji and Bhushanji, and the usual dose of satire, soul, and sideways glances, the early drop is just the trailer to a bigger, better panchayat.

    Bring on the ballots — and the binge.

    Burger King: “Agar Panchayat Jaldi Aagaya toh Manju Devi ka manifesto menu mein chhap denge” IG

     

     

    Taco Bell: “Agar Panchayat Jaldi Aagaya toh Phulera ke har matdata ke liye Naked Taco Bilkul Muft Muft Muft!

     

     

    AJIO: “Agar Panchayat Jaldi Aagaya toh hum naye kapdo ki gram sabha bula lenge  

     

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

    A post shared by AJIO.com (@ajiolife)

     

    Rapido: “Agar Panchayat Jaldi Aagaya toh Rapido parcel mein sirf lauki bhejenge

     

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

    A post shared by Rapido (@rapidoapp)

     

    PepperFry: “Agar Panchayat Jaldi Aagaya toh Sachiv ji ko bed linen ke sath Bed free.

     

     

    Abhibus India: “Agar Panchayat Jaldi Aagaya toh har Phulera wasi ko milegi abhibus par ek free seat”

     

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

    A post shared by AbhiBus (@abhibusindia)

     

    TBH: “Agar Panchayat Jaldi Aagaya toh Lauki ke chips banayega TBH Honest style mein!

     

     

    Mc Cain: “Agar Panchayat Jaldi Aagaya toh Sachiv ji ke table par ab lauki nahi Mc Cain Aloo Tikki hoga

     

     

    Go Ibibo: “Agar Panchayat Jaldi Aagaya toh Binod ko Phulera ke bahar ki dunia hum dikhayenge

     

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

    A post shared by Goibibo (@goibibo)

     

     

  • Yum Brands adds flavour to tech with Manish Jain at the India GCC helm

    Yum Brands adds flavour to tech with Manish Jain at the India GCC helm

    MUMBAI: A tech topping on a global pizza, Yum! Brands is stirring the pot in India with a spicy leadership update. The parent company of KFC, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, and Habit Burger & Grill has appointed Manish Jain to lead its digital and technology (D&T) India Global Capability Centre (GCC).

    Jain will take charge of Yum!’s India-based digital operations and shared services, bringing to the table over two decades of experience spanning the US, Malaysia and India. He will report directly to James Watts, chief people officer, Yum! digital & technology.

    Yum!’s D&T India GCC is a crucial cog in the company’s global engine, tasked with building tech solutions and supporting services across all Yum! brands. Jain’s appointment marks a strategic step forward in reinforcing India’s position as a digital powerhouse for the global quick-service restaurant (QSR) giant.

    “I am honored to take on this role and excited to help build the India Global Capability Centre in support of Yum! Brands’ strategy for good growth and its goal to be an employer of choice in the region,” Manish Jain said.

    Before joining Yum!, Jain served as service director for the Asia-Pacific region and India country head at Getronics International, overseeing customer success and shared services. He was also the founding director of BT Group’s Global Business Services unit in India, where he spent over 10 years scaling operations from the ground up.

    With Jain at the helm, Yum! Brands aims to not just scale digitally but serve up innovation with a side of world-class culture. His appointment is expected to bolster the GCC’s ambitions in tech development and shared services, reinforcing India’s growing influence in global operations.

  • Building brands for the gen z mindset – advertising in the digital era

    Building brands for the gen z mindset – advertising in the digital era

    Mumbai: The India Brand Summit featured a riveting panel discussion on “Building Brands for the Gen Z Mindset – Advertising in the Digital Era,” showcasing insights from industry stalwarts across diverse sectors. The panel discussion focused on the evolving landscape of advertising and brand building in the digital era, particularly emphasizing how brands connected with the Gen Z audience. The conversation revolved around topics such as content, personalization, e-commerce, and technology, exploring how brands effectively communicated with their end consumers using digital platforms.

    The session was chaired by Ernst & Young LLP, partner and head of marketing advisory, Amiya Swarup, Taco Bell’s general manager of business development, Vishal Suvas Telkar, The Belgian Waffle Co., general manager of marketing Vrushali Parab, Gamitronics CEO Rajat Ojha, Galderma, head of e-commerce & digital strategy, Sunil Nat, Birla Opus, head of digital, Surbhi Gupta and Interactive Avenues senior creative director, Eshwari Pandit.

    Vishal Suvas Telkar highlighted the importance of pricing strategies in attracting the Gen Z audience. He spoke about Taco Bell’s successful campaign which emphasised competitive pricing, especially with their Rs 99 menu, which has shown significant growth over the last three quarters. Telkar remarked, “We’ve done a lot on digital platforms. We are seeing results, but there’s more to be done. Our new advertisement shows a consumer choosing a taco over a burger, emphasising how our product is more filling and satisfying.” Telkar’s insights reflected a deep understanding of the value-driven Gen Z consumer who not only seeks affordability but also engages with brands through digital platforms and social media, where Taco Bell has found significant success.

    Vrushali Parab provided a powerful example of leveraging consumer insights to build brand narratives. She discussed how their digital-first approach, combined with data-driven efforts, has allowed them to track key performance indicators like reach and engagement. Parab shared the success of their National Waffle Day campaign, a brand-created property, which resulted in over 100 million digital impressions. “We didn’t need to remind people about National Waffle Day—our audience was already engaged. Our #EveryoneKnows campaign took this insight and ran with it, achieving 6 million views and 4 lakh comments within 24 hours. It’s the power of the right narrative, stitched together with the right partners,” she explained.

    Rajat Ojha took the conversation into the realm of the metaverse and gaming, emphasising how brands can engage Gen Z through immersive, social experiences. “In the gaming world, socialising happens naturally. Platforms like Roblox and Discord are popular because they bring people together,” Ojha noted. Ojha illustrated how Gamitronics helped brands like Dodge by creating a collaborative, virtual car-building experience for kids. The experience wasn’t just about interacting with a brand—it was about co-creating and socialising, elements that resonate deeply with Gen Z’s need for inclusivity and interactivity.

    Sunil Nat underscored the importance of transparency and personalisation in today’s digital age. He emphasised that Gen Z values inclusivity and authenticity. “We choose influencers carefully to ensure our messaging is neutral to gender and representative of all our consumers,” Nat explained. His comments reflected how brands must focus on crafting communications that align with Gen Z’s demand for authenticity while being inclusive in all their campaigns.

    Surbhi Gupta, shed light on how technology, particularly generative AI, is transforming the customer experience. She spoke about Birla Opus’ investment in visualisers that allow customers to visualise their home’s interiors with different paint colours in real time, showcasing how integrating technology can enhance consumer engagement. “Technology is not just about convenience; it’s about making the experience engaging. We are using AI to personalise experiences based on consumer behaviour, allowing us to provide a frictionless and immersive experience,” Gupta noted.

    Eshwari Pandit emphasised the importance of maintaining authenticity and transparency in brand messaging. “Gen Z and future generations will demand even more accountability because of the consequences they have witnessed. Staying true to your brand’s values is the only way forward,” Pandit affirmed.

  • Posist transforms into Restroworks

    Posist transforms into Restroworks

    Mumbai: Posist, a pioneer in cloud-based restaurant technology solutions, announced a comprehensive rebranding as it changed its name to Restroworks. This new identity reflects the company’s transformation since its inception in 2012 from a Point of Sale (POS) provider to a unified technology platform serving global restaurant chains like Taco Bell, Subway, Nando’s, Buffalo Wild Wings, Belgian Waffle Company, and groups like Dabur, ITC, and Reliance across multiple formats, including food courts, IT parks, universities, food zones in airports, among other.

    Restroworks, a fusion of ‘Restro’ and ‘works,’ symbolizes the company’s commitment to encompassing the entirety of the restaurant technology domain. The new brand name embodies the company’s unified suite of products addressing all aspects of restaurant operations and technological requirements.

    With its renewed purpose of ‘making restaurants prosperous,’ the company has undergone rebranding by introducing a new company name, logo, website, and fresh identity to represent its unified technology platform  – including cloud-native POS software, inventory management software, a kitchen automation suite, analytics, digital ordering solutions, and integrations with over 400+ third-party solutions like delivery aggregators, payment gateways, loyalty programs, financial and accounting tools, and ERP solutions.

    “In 2012, we started Posist with the vision of making a mark in restaurant technology with our cloud-native POS solution. As we grew, we pushed the boundaries, driven by our vision to build products that can create a long-term impact on the bottom-line efficiency of global restaurants and make them prosperous. Our company’s evolution and expanded vision called for a new brand identity that allows us to articulate our progression as a unified restaurant technology platform. In sync with our vision, we have unveiled Restroworks – a name that symbolizes our commitment to providing comprehensive technology that seamlessly works across the entire restaurant ecosystem. This rebrand is more than just a name change; it reflects our strategic approach to building the company over the next decade as a pioneering force in restaurant technology,” said Restroworks founders Sakshi & Ashish Tulsian.

    Early this year, Restroworks (formerly Posist) cemented its market leadership and was named one of the top 50 APAC software companies in the prestigious G2 2024 Best Software Companies list. The company achieved over 80% year-over-year growth, reaching 20,000 customers across more than 50 countries.

    Over the last five years, Restroworks has significantly invested in expanding its global presence in the US, Middle East, Latin America, and Southeast Asia. The company also invested in high-quality infrastructure and upgraded security compliance to provide a scalable, enterprise-grade cloud platform for multi-national restaurant chains. Restroworks is certified with ISO 27001, ISO 27017, ISO 27701, SOC1 Type 2, SOC 2 Type 2, and GDPR compliant.

    To boost the industry’s technological prowess, the company has launched Restroworks Academy – a platform for customers and their frontline staff, equipping them with the knowledge to become more efficient and upskill their technology knowledge. The initiative is now being rolled out to impart skill development among hospitality students in various universities.

  • Taco Bell teams up with Microsoft to leverage gaming boom

    Taco Bell teams up with Microsoft to leverage gaming boom

    Mumbai: Leveraging the surge in popularity of video games, Taco Bell, a Mexican-inspired restaurant brand has partnered with Microsoft’s Xbox to offer consumers a chance to win “Age of Empire IV” PC game copies.

    The brand has promised to give about 200+ copies every week till the end of January, with a lifetime validity on purchase of the Ultimate Cheese Taco.

    “As the youth spends significant time perfecting and exploring the gaming spectrum, snacking becomes a strong companion that gamers enjoy during gaming sessions,” said the brand in a statement. “Customers who place an order at Taco Bell for ‘The Ultimate Cheese Taco’ or the meal for two at dine-In, take away or delivery are eligible to participate in the lucky draw.”

    All a customer needs to do is place the order and share a 10-digit valid phone number to mark their entry. Winners will be announced at the start of every week through brands digital media channels, Taco Bell App, and personalised SMS communication.

    Director of Burman Hospitality- Taco Bell’s exclusive franchise partner in India Gaurav Burma said, “As the youth increasingly leans towards gaming with excessive time spent indoors, the industry now witnesses a significant growth in the country. This expansion is the fuel for our collaboration with Microsoft’s Xbox to provide our consumers with a unique chance to win game copies of the iconic game Age of Empire IV. We believe this partnership is yet another innovative way to strike a chord with the youth and strengthen our position in their minds.”

  • Taco Bell launches ‘Best at the Best Prices’ campaign

    Taco Bell launches ‘Best at the Best Prices’ campaign

    NEW DELHI: Taco Bell has announced the launch of its new ‘Best Of Bell’ menu, which offers the fast food chain’s signature menu items at ‘surprising prices’.

    Each item on the ‘Best Of Bell’ menu is priced at just Rs 59 (for vegetarian variants) and Rs 69 (for non-vegetarian variants). The brand’s endeavour through this new launch is to ‘Break Food Monotony’ by democratising Mexican cuisine and offering value to its consumers. Right from the Fiesta Taco, Burrito Roll and Mini Quesadilla, to the Mexi Wrap, Cheesy Roll-Up and Churros ‘N Chocolate dessert, the exclusive menu offers a complete variety and gives consumers a chance to try out the brand’s best offerings at never-before prices.

    Building on the proposition of ‘The Best at Best Prices’, the brand has launched the #BestofBell campaign across its social media handles. Revolving around an auction that takes a bizarre turn of events, the campaign highlights Taco Bell’s delicious menu offerings at irresistible prices.

    Taco Bell’s master franchise partner Burman Hospitality Private Ltd director Gaurav Burman said, “Consumers in India are known for being experimentative, especially Taco Bell fans – we believe our customers enjoy trying new flavours, and recipes. This trend has grown significantly in the last few months as we have been forced to spend most of our time at home and have been yearning to try innovative foods. Taco Bell has conducted extensive research, as a result we are delighted to introduce the ‘Best of Bell’ menu, which gives consumers the opportunity to try an array of Taco Bell favourites at unbelievably affordable prices.”

  • Taco Bell India pays tribute to India’s warriors through ‘Taco Bell cares’ initiative

    Taco Bell India pays tribute to India’s warriors through ‘Taco Bell cares’ initiative

    MUMBAI: Taco Bell India is thanking India’s frontline warriors and pledging support to daily wage earners and underserved communities in the wake of the ongoing COVID-19 health crisis through its ‘Taco Bell Cares’ initiative.

    The brand has gone a step ahead and curated a special recipe known as the Taco Bell Care Power Bowl. The wholesome and filling Taco Bell Care Power Bowl has been developed by the brand’s Food Innovation team and consists of white rice, Pinto beans and spicy salsa. The brand has committed to distributing hundreds of meals each day across operational stores during the lockdown period. The meals comprising of the specially-curated Taco Bell Care Power Bowls will help sustain frontline warriors and daily wage earners as they put in long hours during the ongoing health crisis, often not eating for prolonged durations of time, as well as provide filling meals to underserved communities who are unable to access daily rations.

    Taco Bell Cares will be led through collaborations with various hospitals, NGOs and partner brands. Currently, the brand has started distribution across New Delhi and Bangalore and will extend the scale of the initiative as it reopens outlets across different parts of the country. The first such activity was kicked off with non-profit organisation Goonj where meals are being delivered to daily workers. The brand has also initiated a partnership with non-profit World Health Group for their community-driven Project Thali, which aims to connect the dots between partnering restaurants, NGOs and the government and ensure that those unable to claim daily ration get access to food & nourishment.

    A Taco Bell Care Fund has also been set up which will see voluntary contributions of one-day salaries by Taco Bell employees as their way of supporting the nation. The proceeds from the fund will be donated to the PM CARES Fund set up by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

    Sharing his thoughts, Taco Bell’s master franchise partner in India Burman Hospitality Private Limited director  Gaurav Burman said, “In these extraordinary times, we at Taco Bell believe that it is only by coming together as a community that we will be able to overcome this pandemic. I am extremely proud that every individual at Burman Hospitality has voluntarily given generously to The Taco Bell Cares initiative. The country’s unsung heroes are leading the fight against the pandemic, often putting their own health at risk in the process. The Taco Bell Care Power Bowls will ensure that our frontline warriors have a healthy and nourishing meal to keep them energised as they continue serving the nation.

    Taco Bell’s commitment to distributing meals is an extension of the unique digital activation that the brand-led in support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Janata Curfew’ held at the end of March. Taco Bell created a virtual bell on its website and urged netizens to ‘Ring The Bell’ as a way of expressing their gratitude to the COVID-19 Warriors, with each bell rung translating into a meal commitment by the brand.

  • Taco Bell marks flagship launch through social media conversations with new neighbours

    Taco Bell marks flagship launch through social media conversations with new neighbours

    MUMBAI: Taco Bell, the world's leading Mexican-inspired quick service restaurant brand, recently launched its flagship restaurant in the heart of the National Capital.

    Conveniently located in Connaught Place, the brand’s all new restaurant is situated in the buzzing Outer Circle. In true Taco Bell style, the brand marked its entry in to the neighbourhood with a quirky twist and led engaging activations – both on social media as well as on ground with its new neighbours.

    A unique life size bell installation was set up outside the store giving the brand a chance to engage and interact with consumers.

    Taco Bell also made its presence felt amongst its new neighbours through a simple, yet disruptive activity. A good neighbour is one who shares meals with others and Taco Bell was no different. In a first-of-its kind move to mark the launch of a new restaurant, Taco Bell organised hand deliveries of some of its signature menu items to adjacent stores.

    The story of #TacoBellInCP continued on social media as well. As it set up its new home, the brand took to Twitter to say ‘hi’ to existing residents near the flagship in the bustling Connaught Place area, and also set up a few #TacoParties with them.

    The Taco Bell experience offers made-to-order and customizable tacos and burritos and other specialties with bold flavours, quality ingredients, breakthrough value, and best in class customer service. The extensive menu offers signature vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes such as the Naked Chicken Taco, 7 Layer Burrito, Chickstar Wrap, Quesalupa, Cheese Quesadilla, as well as desserts such as the iconic Chocodilla.

  • Taco Bell gets India rooting for free tacos

    Taco Bell gets India rooting for free tacos

    MUMBAI: As over one billion people around the country are waiting with bated breath for the country’s next big match, Taco Bell, the world's leading Mexican-inspired quick service restaurant brand is rooting for India to win this cricketing season through a unique ‘Win the Cup, Win the Taco’ campaign.

    The brand has introduced a new digital film as part of the campaign. The film offers a fun take on the popular ‘Jeetega Bhai Jeetega’ slogan that reverberates in stadiums during cricket matches. It shows a group of fans at a Taco Bell restaurant, who when asked what their favorite slogan for India is, burst into shouts of ‘Jeetega Bhai Jeetega…Poora India…Free Taco Jeetega! Jab India Cup Uthaega, Main Free Taco Khaayega’.

    In its maiden run in the country, ‘Win the Cup, Win the Taco’ will reward Taco Bell fans in India by giving them a free taco if the country wins the final game of the tournament. You can watch the digital film here.

    Speaking about the film, Ankush Tuli, Managing Director, Taco Bell Asia Pacific said, “Across the globe, consumers will find Taco Bell at the forefront of cultural moments most relevant to our fans. The new digital film for the ‘Win the Cup, Win the Taco’ campaign gives us an opportunity to engage with consumers through the sport and slogans they know and love. This cricket season, we’re rooting for free tacos for all of India and cannot wait for the team’s next big match.”

    Gaurav Burman, Director, Burman Hospitality, Taco Bell’s Master Franchise Partner in India said, “What a wonderful tournament it has been! Our team has performed brilliantly and has already made us proud. We at Taco Bell India wish them well for the next few matches and hope they win the championship, so that we can celebrate their win with free tacos for all of India.”

    The new campaign draws inspiration from the brand’s U.S. based baseball campaign, ‘Steal a Base, Steal a Taco,’ which promises all of America a free taco when a baseball player successfully ‘steals’ a base during a game.

    As the team lifts the trophy, all Taco Bell restaurants across the country will give consumers one free taco per person, irrespective of any purchase.

    Fans are encouraged to follow along on Taco Bell India’s social media channels to find out more details about the campaign, such as redemption date and time. If India wins it all, consumers can walk into any Taco Bell restaurant across 11 cities in India to receive their free taco. The offer will be subject to terms & conditions and the discretion of the brand.