Munich’s restaurant scene takes you on a journey through the cuisines of the world—from Italian trattorias to Greek taverns to upscale Asian fusion, there’s truly something for everyone. If you’re in a hurry, there are also plenty of fast-food restaurants where you can grab a quick bite. After Goldies, the hyped-up Berlin burger chain, came to Munich at the beginning of the year, another popular franchise is set to follow this year: Taco Bell finally wants to come to Germany and bring its Tex-Mex dishes to the German market.
The Slow Conquest
Taco Bell has been planning to expand into Germany for quite some time. The original plan was to gain a foothold in Germany as early as 2024 and expand to up to 150 locations. However, following disagreements with the franchisee at the time, that didn’t happen, and the company is now pursuing a different strategy. Instead of a single master franchisee, it prefers to select several smaller ones.
For Bavaria, this will be handled by Lehmann Hotel- und Gaststätten Holding GmbH, which currently plans to open 31 Taco Bell locations throughout Bavaria. The first two will open in Munich, with additional locations to follow in Passau and Nuremberg. So far, Taco Bell has only been available at U.S. military bases, so the two restaurants in Munich would be the first to be open to the general public.
The plans for Taco Bell in Munich
Exactly when Taco Bell plans to open in Munich has not yet been determined, but there is talk of September and October 2026. A restaurant is set to open in the Riem Arcaden , where Bath & Body Works, a well-known American cosmetics chain, has already opened its first location in Germany this year. Thus, another successful U.S. franchise is set to make its debut in this shopping center in eastern Munich. Its proximity to the trade fair makes the Riem Arcaden an attractive location for Taco Bell.
Lehmann Holding is planning the second location in Freiham, where they see growth potential thanks to the new residential neighborhood. If everything goes according to plan this time, you can look forward to tacos, burritos, and bowls from American Tex-Mex cuisine later this year.
