The culinary world is buzzing as Taco Bell and acclaimed Portland-based ice cream purveyor, Salt & Straw, officially launch their highly anticipated second collaboration: the Churro Ice Cream Taco. This innovative dessert, available nationwide at Taco Bell locations starting September 1, 2026, marks a significant expansion of the partnership that first delighted taste buds in October 2025 with the introduction of the "Tacolate." Complementing this new offering, the Salt & Straw Choco-Waffle Chiller is now available at select Taco Bell Live Más Café locations, further solidifying the brands’ commitment to co-creating unique and craveable experiences.
A Sweet Partnership Evolves: From Tacolate to Churro Ice Cream Taco
The journey of this delectable union began in February 2024, during Taco Bell’s inaugural Live Más Live event. It was at this industry-defining gathering that the initial whispers of a partnership materialized into concrete plans. The subsequent launch of the "Tacolate" in October 2025 proved to be an undeniable success, selling out at the majority of Salt & Straw’s over 50 scoop shops during its debut weekend. This overwhelming consumer response signaled a clear demand for more inventive offerings born from the fusion of Taco Bell’s fast-food expertise and Salt & Straw’s artisanal ice cream artistry.
The Churro Ice Cream Taco represents a thoughtful evolution of their initial success. It features a specially crafted churro-flavored ice cream nestled within a crispy waffle cone shell. The confection is then elevated with a dusting of puffed rice and a rich dark chocolate-flavored coating, offering a multi-textural and flavor-packed experience. Priced at $3.99, this new item aims to capture the nostalgic essence of both brands while delivering a novel dessert that appeals to a broad consumer base.
Official Statements Underscore Shared Vision and Fan Excitement
Liz Matthews, Taco Bell’s Global Chief Food Innovation Officer, expressed her enthusiasm for the expanded collaboration, highlighting the joy derived from reimagining familiar flavors. "Last year’s collaboration showed us how much joy there is in reimagining a nostalgic favorite, and we’re thrilled to work with Salt & Straw to bring a new ice cream taco to Taco Bell restaurants," Matthews stated in a press release. "The Churro Ice Cream Taco builds on everything fans loved about the original collaboration, with a flavor that feels right at home on our menu." This sentiment is echoed by Tyler Malek, co-founder and head ice cream maker at Salt & Straw. Malek, reflecting on the unprecedented success of the Tacolate, noted, "The response made it clear that customers wanted the item to stick around. So, when we had the chance to take the idea beyond our shops with Taco Bell, we wanted to dream up something completely new. The Churro Ice Cream Taco brings together what both brands do best."
The Choco-Waffle Chiller: A Blended Delight for Live Más Cafés
In parallel with the nationwide rollout of the Churro Ice Cream Taco, Taco Bell is also introducing the Salt & Straw Choco-Waffle Chiller at its Live Más Café locations. This frozen beverage is a direct homage to the new taco, featuring a smooth vanilla ice cream base blended with authentic churro crumbles and pieces of waffle cone. The Chiller is then finished with a generous swirl of whipped cream and an extra topping of waffle cone pieces, providing a refreshing and indulgent treat. Available for a limited time starting at $4.69, the Chiller is designed to complement the Live Más Café experience, which has been steadily expanding its footprint.
The Choco-Waffle Chiller was initially showcased during this year’s Live Más Live event in Hollywood, alongside four other promising beverage concepts slated for the Live Más Café menu. The café concept, which debuted in late 2024, has already established a presence in over 30 Taco Bell restaurants. Taco Bell has ambitious plans for this innovative dining format, with a stated goal of integrating a Live Más Café into all of its over 7,700 U.S. locations. This strategic expansion underscores Taco Bell’s commitment to evolving beyond traditional fast-food offerings and creating more immersive brand experiences.
Chronology of a Sweet Collaboration: Key Milestones
The partnership between Taco Bell and Salt & Straw can be traced through a series of significant events:
- February 2024: Taco Bell and Salt & Straw announce their collaborative partnership at Taco Bell’s inaugural Live Más Live event. Initial discussions and concept development for their first joint product begin.
- October 2025: The "Tacolate," the first co-created product, officially launches at Salt & Straw locations nationwide. The item experiences immediate sell-out success, signaling strong consumer interest.
- Late 2024: The Live Más Café concept officially debuts, offering a new in-store experience and a platform for future beverage innovations.
- September 1, 2026: The Churro Ice Cream Taco is launched nationwide at Taco Bell restaurants, marking the second major product release from the collaboration. Simultaneously, the Salt & Straw Choco-Waffle Chiller becomes available at Live Más Café locations.
Data and Market Implications: A Strategic Play for Consumer Loyalty
The sustained investment in collaborations like this by major fast-food chains such as Taco Bell is a testament to the growing importance of experiential marketing and product innovation in capturing and retaining consumer attention. The food and beverage industry is intensely competitive, and strategic partnerships allow brands to tap into new customer demographics and leverage the established loyalty of their collaborators.
Salt & Straw, known for its adventurous and high-quality ice cream flavors, brings a premium artisanal appeal that can elevate Taco Bell’s dessert menu beyond traditional fast-food offerings. This strategy is particularly effective in attracting a younger, more discerning consumer base that values unique culinary experiences and is often influenced by social media trends and word-of-mouth marketing.
The success of the initial Tacolate, with its rapid sell-out, provides valuable data for Taco Bell. It demonstrates a clear market appetite for premium, dessert-focused items that bridge the gap between fast-casual and artisanal offerings. The expansion into a new product category – the ice cream taco – and a complementary beverage further diversifies their menu and provides multiple touchpoints for consumer engagement.
Furthermore, the integration of these premium offerings within the Live Más Café concept is a strategic move to enhance the appeal of these newer dining spaces. By offering exclusive or co-branded items, Taco Bell can incentivize customers to visit and experience the cafés, thereby accelerating their rollout and establishing them as a key component of the brand’s future growth strategy. The goal of having a Live Más Café in every U.S. restaurant, while ambitious, indicates a long-term vision for a more holistic brand experience that extends beyond the drive-thru window.
Promotional Initiatives and Limited-Time Offers
To further amplify the launch and drive consumer engagement, both brands are implementing targeted promotional activities. Customers purchasing either the Churro Ice Cream Taco or the Choco-Waffle Chiller at a Live Más Café will receive a complimentary sticker sheet, while supplies last. This collectible element adds an extra layer of incentive and encourages repeat purchases.
In a special "Tuesday drop" event scheduled for September 8th, rewards members will have an exclusive opportunity to win a limited-edition Salt & Straw x Taco Bell decorated cooler, filled with three Churro Ice Cream Tacos. Such limited-edition offers are a well-established tactic in the QSR industry to generate buzz, reward loyalty program members, and create a sense of urgency and exclusivity. These promotions not only drive immediate sales but also foster brand advocacy and strengthen the connection between consumers and the brands.
Broader Implications for the Fast-Food Landscape
The continued success of the Taco Bell and Salt & Straw partnership is indicative of a broader trend within the fast-food industry. Brands are increasingly looking beyond traditional menu expansions to forge strategic alliances that can inject novelty, prestige, and unique flavor profiles into their offerings. This approach allows them to differentiate themselves in a crowded market, cater to evolving consumer palates, and create memorable brand experiences.
As the fast-food landscape continues to evolve, driven by consumer demand for innovation and unique culinary adventures, such collaborations are likely to become more prevalent. The synergy between a fast-food giant like Taco Bell and a celebrated artisanal brand like Salt & Straw demonstrates a powerful model for mutual growth and a compelling testament to the enduring appeal of creative, delicious food. The success of the Churro Ice Cream Taco and the Choco-Waffle Chiller will undoubtedly be closely watched as a bellwether for future flavor collaborations in the quick-service restaurant sector.
