---
title: Welcome to the Taco Bell of the future
description: Taco Bell’s new drive-thru concept uses high-tech dumbwaiters to drop orders down to customers.
---

[Hustle News ](https://hs-sbup.thehustle.co/news)

# [Welcome to the Taco Bell of the future](https://hs-sbup.thehustle.co/news/06082022-taco-bell)

 Written by [Juliet Bennett Rylah](https://hs-sbup.thehustle.co/news/author/juliet-bennett-rylah) | Jun 8, 2022 5:56:19 AM

Taco Bell just opened its first “Defy,” the fast-food chain’s latest concept, in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota.

It’s two stories high with four drive-thru lanes: two are for customers picking up mobile orders, and one is for delivery drivers, [per](https://www.businessinsider.com/taco-bell-opens-four-lane-two-story-drive-thru-photos-2022-6#another-drive-thru-lane-will-be-dedicated-just-to-delivery-drivers-picking-up-orders-through-third-party-apps-like-ubereats-and-doordash-6) *Business Insider*. The last is for those traditionalists who don’t want to order ahead.

#### **Here’s how it works:**

- Drivers check in at kiosks with QR codes
- Or order from staff via video if they didn’t place a mobile order
- When the food is ready, it’s dropped down to customers via dumbwaiter-style elevators. Hence, the name “Defy” — it’s “gravity-defying.” Okay, Taco Bell.

The food elevators are proprietary, and were developed by consultancy Vertical Works to reduce service time.

Taco Bell is already the [fastest](https://thehustle.co/09222021-drive-thrus/) — though not the most accurate — US drive-thru with an average time of 286 seconds. Defy promises to deliver orders in two minutes or less.

#### **Taco Bell likes to experiment**

In the past, the brand has done a lot for its loyal fans, and we don’t just mean bringing back the Mexican Pizza.

- In 2019, it opened a temporary resort in Palm Springs, California, called [The Bell](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjkUxcQquXc), replete with Taco Bell-themed manicures.
- Taco Bell weddings are available at its Cantina in Las Vegas. A 30-minute ceremony [includes](https://www.tacobellwedding.com/) the use of a sauce packet bouquet.

As for Defy, Taco Bell is already looking to retrofit other locations,[ per](https://www.foodandwine.com/news/taco-bell-defy-new-drive-thru-restaurant-opens) *Food & Wine*.

[View full post](https://hs-sbup.thehustle.co/news/06082022-taco-bell)

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