A FAST-FOOD giant has abruptly closed one of its chains after a short stint, leaving some locals confused and saddened.
The Californian franchise only started welcoming hungry customers in December 2022 but has appeared to pull the pin.
Mexican-inspired Taco Bell has rolled down the shutters in Grantham, Lincolnshire, in a blow to burrito buyers.
Signs have been taken down from the London Road restaurant and windows boarded up, Lincolnshire Live reported.
It took over a former Pizza Hut, claiming a seating capacity of 60 people and creating jobs for 35 others.
The Taco joint’s future prospects previously appeared bright with talks of adding a drive-thru to the site.
But that was dismissed due to traffic concerns and now the shop is out of operation.
It was reportedly open just last weekend – but by Monday July 1, locals had to go elsewhere for tacos.
Some locals took to social media to express their sadness.
One tagged friends in a Facebook comment, asking: “Where are you both going to go now?”
Others commented sad-face emojis.
But alternative views suggested it was only a matter of time until it closed.
One comment said: “I’m waiting for the one in Lincoln to close. Never see anyone in there.”
Another seemed to think there weren’t enough Mexican fast-food fans in the area, writing: “Hardly surprising, who on earth wants to eat a massive crisp with mince in it?”
A third said due to its location, locals were likely to simply “drive past it” rather than stop by.
The chain isn’t afraid of abruptly closing shops.
In December 2023, Taco Bell shut a popular drive-thru restaurant in The Haudagain Retail Park in Aberdeen.
A notice to customers appeared on the door informing them of the closure, according to local new reports.
It read: “Permanently closed. Your closest Taco Bell is Aberdeen Union Street and also for delivery on Just Eat and Uber Eats.”
The Sun approached Taco Bell for comment regarding its recent closure in Grantham.
Burger chain Five Guys has been on an expanding mission after exploding in popularity.
It opened two new sites in October 2023 and was looking into hundreds more.
It launched a new burger joint in Barton Mills, marking branch’s second drive-thru spot in the UK.
Five Guys also opened shops in Bolton, McArthurGlen Designer Outlet in Cheshire Oaks and Norwich Riverside, promising more to come.
Chief executive John Eckbert said Five Guys was only “halfway done” with its expansion in the UK, despite having over 160 branches already.
