New Taco Bell Planned for Athens

More Athens residents will be able to “live mas” after a new Taco Bell is built in the city.

The fast-food restaurant is proposed for 5253 Jefferson Road, according to construction plans.

It would be part of the Village at Oak Grove , a new Publix-anchored development not far from the University of Georgia campus. The approximately 2,267-square-foot restaurant would have indoor seating for 24 people and a drive-thru.

Taco Bell was founded in 1962 and has since grown to more than 8,200 locations, including five already in Athens . The menu includes tacos, burritos, quesadillas, nachos and more.

According to the construction documents, the owner of the new Athens location is an affiliate of Southpaw , a Connecticut-based operator of Taco Bell and Dunkin.

Last September, Balance Point Capital announced an investment in the franchise operator to support the acquisition of 39 Taco Bell units in the metro Atlanta area. At the time, it was reported that Southpaw expected to grow its Taco Bell portfolio with both acquisitions and the development of new units.

Judd and Erica Wishnow founded Southpaw in 2009. The current Southpaw portfolio includes a total of more than 180 Taco Bell and Dunkin restaurants across several states.

According to a site map , the new Taco Bell in Athens could open later this year.

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