The new Taco Bell coming to Cumberland Avenue on Oct. 27 will not be a Cantina, as confirmed by Jacqueline Dorris, marketing correspondent and community manager for Tacala Companies, the largest Taco Bell franchisee.
This new addition to Knoxville will feature both a covered patio and two dining rooms, one with an overhead view of Cumberland Avenue, along with mobile kiosks both inside and out. It will include the new Cantina Chicken menu.
Dorris said the new Taco Bell was designed with students and local businesses in mind.
“Before this new two-story building was constructed, an older Taco Bell operated in the same location,” Dorris said. “With high foot traffic and increasing delivery and mobile pickup orders, we knew we needed new ways to serve students and customers.”
Because of this increased need for a more efficient system, the company made the decision to demolish the old store and rebuild, bringing about several challenges, such as limited access to the construction site.
“With its unique location — designed to serve students and local business foot traffic — parking is limited, side streets are tight, and logistics for construction vehicles, large truck deliveries, and heavy foot traffic are challenging. Thankfully, our development team and vendors adapted quickly, finding creative solutions to keep construction moving despite limited access to the site,” Dorris said.
Construction continues at Taco Bell on Cumberland Ave, Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2026.
Potential complications seem to be worth the benefits of the new store, which will be Tacala’s first two-story location, especially as student housing in the area continues to increase. More student living facilities allow for more possible customers, and current student excitement confirms the opportunity for more sales and engagement.
Conversations about the new Taco Bell have arisen around campus as construction nears completion. Students, especially freshmen who have never experienced the previous Taco Bell, seem to be eager for the opening.
“I am so excited for this new Taco Bell,” Madeline Beehn, a freshman studying psychology, said. “It’s so nice to have one right on Cumberland, right on the strip, basically right behind my dorm.”
The old Taco Bell featured a drive-through window, something that the renovated restaurant will no longer offer. Instead, Dorris said it has been “designed to focus on dine-in and mobile pickup and delivery.”
Despite any changes with construction, Taco Bell is focusing on bringing in more innovations to this location, “… creating a unique design to better accommodate our Taco Bell fans,” according to Dorris.
The patio, seating 16, as well as the two dining rooms make space for more patrons at a time. Mobile kiosks, another special feature, are being added to the restaurant for customer convenience when ordering.
With the grand opening less than two weeks away, students can eagerly anticipate this new restaurant.
“This isn’t just Taco Bell, it’s your new go-to campus food location where you can have a fun and edgy atmosphere. The best part — the lighting on the building at night. Just wait until you see it, ” Dorris said.
