Andalusia Star News


Site preparation work has begun for the new Taco Bell, which will be located on the West Bypass.

Site prep work is under way for Taco Bell’s new Andalusia location on the west bypass, between TRIO and First Choice Kubota.

Tacala LLC, the largest Taco Bell franchisee in the country, is building the Andalusia restaurant. In October, the company entered a memorandum of understanding with the City of Andalusia, in which the city agrees to refund half of city sales taxes the restaurant collects for four years. In the memorandum of understanding, Tacala agrees to spend $1.7 to $1.75 million on site preparation and construction and to hire 35 to 40 people.

Founded by Dick Reese and Don Ghareeb in 1988, Tacala located its first Taco Bell franchise in Columbiana, Ala., in 1989. It has since grown to more than 247 locations in the Southeast and Texas.

Altamont Capital Partners, a private equity firm, acquired major ownership in Tacala in 2012. Most recently, Tacala added locations in Texas previously owned by another long-time franchisee, Austaco.

Founded in 1962, Taco Bell serves more than 36.8 million consumers each week in nearly 5,600 restaurants in the U.S.

Those interested in working in the new local franchise may apply online at www.tacalacareers.com. Current openings listed include general manager, shift manager, assistant general manager, and part-time and full-time team members.

No experience is required for the team-member jobs, according to the website, but experience is required for the management jobs.

By Michele Gerlach
Andalusia Star News