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LATIN, MATRIPEDICABUS, DO YOU SPEAK IT
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/taco-746422-breakfast-new.html
With foot traffic lagging at quick-service restaurants, chains are battling on all fronts to gain the attention of fast-food eaters.
One of the most competitive battlegrounds is breakfast. And Lake Forest-based Del Taco is preparing to unleash one of its biggest weapons on the morning grub frontline: a 17-ounce Huevos Rancheros Epic Burrito.
After testing it in the Inland Empire and Palm Springs, Del Taco plans to roll out the $4.99 breakfast burrito Thursday, March 23.
Its going to be one of our biggest burritos yet, said Anne Albertine, Del Tacos director of research and development.
The super burrito is a portable version of the classic Mexican brunch staple, stuffed with scrambled eggs (sorry, no runny eggs), chorizo, cheese, roasted chili salsa, sliced avocado and sour cream. To ensure its flavor authenticity, the burrito is lined with two 6-inch corn tortillas.
This is a real biggie. Itll power you up for the day, chef Albertine said during a recent preview in the Del Taco test kitchen.
Its one of five new breakfast items coming to the Del Taco menu as the chain steps up new menu items to stay relevant. The other items include a new orange juice brand and three egg-stuffed rollers, a soft taco rolled up to look like a mini-burrito.
Del Taco mentioned the new morning lineup during a Monday conference call with investors. The chain, the second largest Mexican fast-food brand by restaurant count, reported same restaurant sales growth of 5.5 percent for the fourth quarter ended Jan. 3. It was the 13th consecutive quarter of positive results.
We believe our aggressive focus on menu development keeps the brand fresh, and gives our guests new reasons to come back, Cappasola Jr. said in the conference with investors.
Del Taco is outperforming the fast-food industry, which has seen foot-traffic and sales lag. In February, overall sales were down 4 percent while foot traffic was down 3.9 percent, according to data by restaurant market research firm TDn2K. Fast-casual chains, a typically hot segment that includes premium quick-service brands like Panera Bread and Chipotle Mexican Grill, are also experiencing a downturn. TDn2K said fast-casual sales are down 2.8 percent, and foot traffic is down 6 percent.
On March 23, Del Taco is expanding its chorizo offerings. Besides the Huevos Rancheros Epic Burrito, the chain is adding a $1 chorizo breakfast roller. It is among three new items Del Taco is adding to its Buck & Under at Breakfast menu, which will grow to nine items from six. The other two $1 items are an egg and cheese breakfast roller and a bacon breakfast roller.
Del Taco is also replacing Minute Maid orange juice with Simply Orange juice.
Del Tacos research lab, like other fast-food test kitchens, has been busy creating a wide-range of food to appeal to diners with varying budgets. Epic burritos, premium salads and the recently launched Platos meals are items developed to lure fast casual eaters.