Taco Bell plans second German location in Pfungstadt

Taco Bell is continuing its expansion into Germany with a planned location in southern Hesse. In Pfungstadt, the brand is set to join a new restaurant complex being developed by its franchise partner, AM Group. Following the opening in Cologne in early October, this would be its second location in Germany open to the general public. However, the opening date for Pfungstadt has yet to be confirmed.

New location on the B426

According to a report in the Allgemeine Zeitung on 12 November 2026, the new Taco Bell is planned for a site on the B426 road, west of Pfungstadt town centre. AM Group is building a restaurant complex there, diagonally opposite an existing McDonald’s. The A67 motorway is also nearby.

The project was originally announced as a shared flagship location for KFC and Pizza Hut. Construction began in the summer. The plans at that stage envisaged a two-storey building covering 1,100 square metres. Taco Bell is now also expected to occupy space there, bringing the announced project to three brands rather than the original two.

The floor area refers to the original plans for the entire complex, not to Taco Bell alone. The report does not explain how the addition of another brand will affect the building’s layout. What has been announced so far is Taco Bell’s planned arrival; the specific design of its space has not yet been described.

AM Group brings KFC and Pizza Hut experience

For readers assessing Germany’s franchise market, the role of the local partner is particularly relevant. Yum! Brands works with franchise partners to expand its brands in Germany. In southern Hesse, that role is being taken by Darmstadt-based AM Group.

The Allgemeine Zeitung describes the company as the largest licensee of KFC and Pizza Hut in Germany, with more than 60 restaurants in the region. It already operates near the new site, running KFC restaurants in Roßdorf and Weiterstadt in the Darmstadt-Dieburg district, as well as the restaurant on Luisenplatz in Darmstadt.

The planned Taco Bell is therefore not being developed by an operator entering the region for the first time. Instead, a company with an established portfolio of restaurants is adding another brand to its offering. For Taco Bell’s expansion into Germany, this provides a concrete example of a new market presence being developed through an existing franchise partner.

It is important to distinguish between two developments: Taco Bell is only beginning to build its presence in Germany outside restricted-access locations, while AM Group already has a more extensive restaurant network under other brands. The number of restaurants it currently operates should therefore not be taken as a measure of Taco Bell’s existing footprint.

Second attempt after expansion was halted

The planned Pfungstadt location follows a longer effort to enter the market. Taco Bell had already planned an expansion into Germany in summer 2024. According to the report, this was halted because of several problems, although it does not specify which obstacles proved decisive.

A fresh attempt followed in 2026. In early October, the first German location open to the general public opened in Cologne. The company announced further restaurants at the time. Pfungstadt has now emerged as the next planned location and is described in the report as the second German outlet of this kind.

The distinction between restaurants open to the general public and earlier locations matters. Before this market entry, Taco Bell already had a presence at US military bases in Germany, including in Wiesbaden and at Ramstein Air Base. The Pfungstadt news therefore concerns the development of an offering outside those military facilities. It does not mean that the brand previously had no presence in Germany at all.

Opening date remains uncertain

The Pfungstadt restaurant complex was originally scheduled to open on 26 November. At the time of the report, it was unclear whether that date still applied following the addition of Taco Bell to the plans. It should therefore not be treated as a confirmed opening date for the new Taco Bell.

The key points for assessing the project are that construction of the complex is under way, Taco Bell’s arrival has been announced, and AM Group is confirmed as the regional franchise partner. The actual opening is a separate milestone.

Practical takeaway: Anyone following Taco Bell’s expansion into Germany should treat Pfungstadt as an announced location, not an already-open restaurant. Confirmation of the opening date is the next important step for anyone planning a visit or comparing locations.