Listen to this story
Subscriber Benefit
As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThis audio file is brought to you by 
0:00
0:00
Loading audio file, please wait.
Please enable JavaScript to view this content.
Today I learned there was a Taco Bell inside Circle Center.
Right? And honestly, if someone wants TB AND a cocktail, they are not going to the mall. I don’t see it as direct competition. Apparently, they do.
Same!
As someone who worked for 14 years for a gentleman, who was a small franchisee for a major restaurant chain, I can appreciate for how this is setting up for the group operating inside the Mall. They’re already paying a lot to be a franchisee, but to know that one of their competitors is going be TACO BELL, that makes no sense.
At the very least, it sends the message that Yum! Brands doesn’t care about “some” of the people investing in their brand. Besides, selling someone a Mexican Pizza (delicious as they are…) with a margarita is kind of putting a tiara on a pig. On the other hand, it’ll make eating Taco Bell and getting boozed up a one-stop deal.
This was first announced in July. Have to assume there have been discussions between now and then and this is all posturing for money and/or the ability to close their location in the mall without penalty if needed.
Given the dearth of downtown office workers I’d need someone else to tell me how much traffic the Circle Center Mall food court still gets. But I do know that Chick Fil A did the same pivot from in the mall to outside the mall, and I frankly assumed that the same thing was happening here.
It will be nice to have the vacant space occupied with hopefully outdoor seating. This section of Washington St. has been dead since COVID and Rock Bottom closed. Hopefully something will move into that space. Is the hotel still going to happen at the corner of Washington St and meridian?
Completely agree, Robert H. The hotel is in foreclosure (or the foreclosure is complete and the bank owns the property now). Owner defaulted on the construction loan, after spending a bunch of it to gut the interior of the building. Qdoba is about to relocate from their location on the ground floor, so the building will be completely empty. It’s a total eyesore, and i’m a little shocked the city continues to allow it to look like a bombed out building.
I also agree with Joe B. The CC Mall Taco Bell has to be dying, and this would seem like a possible way out for them.
What hotel is that?
Motto Hotel?
Thanks!