# Fast Food Lodging Credit Crunched Taco Bell Gets A Roommate to Help With Rent By Cowbag | Published 2009-03-11 | Unique Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fast-food-lodgins-taco-bell-gets-a-roommate References: [uniquedaily](http://www.uniquedaily.com/taco-bell-forced-to-take-on-roommate/) & [theonion](http://www.theonion.com/content/news/rise_in_rent_forces_local_taco?utm_source=a-section) Here's a hilarious piece of recession-friendly PR for [Taco Bell](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/student-tour-campaign). The Auburn St. Taco Bell branch in the US has turned itself into temporary lodging in a bid to ease their financial burden, offering a place to stay for one man. According to The Onion (aha), the ad was posted on Craigslist, offering a 100-square-foot storage room, access to a modern restaurant-style kitchen, shared public bathroom, and spacious walk-in fridge. All for $325 a month, [a true bargain](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/luxe-box). ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.6/10 - Popularity: 1% | Activity: 39% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Unique](https://www.trendhunter.com/unique) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Recession-friendly Hospitality:** Creating temporary lodging options within existing businesses as a cost-saving measure during tough economic times. - **Unconventional Real Estate Utilization:** Transforming non-traditional spaces, such as storage rooms, into alternative accommodation to generate additional revenue. - **Affordable Shared Facilities:** Offering access to shared amenities, like kitchens and bathrooms, at a lower cost to attract budget-conscious consumers. ### Where This Applies - **Hospitality:** Hotels, motels, and hostels can explore innovative ways to utilize their available space to generate additional income during economic downturns. - **Retail:** Retail stores can consider renting out their vacant areas as temporary accommodations to diversify revenue streams. - **Co-living:** Co-living companies can explore partnerships with businesses to provide affordable shared housing options to those facing financial constraints. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Late-Night QSR Vehicles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/student-tour-campaign.md) - [Early Retirement Communities](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-cantinas.md) - [Student-Focused Taco Kits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sos-kit.md) - [Branded Taco Swaps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/taco-swap.md) - [QSR Hotel Pop-Ups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kfc-staycation.md) - [Breakfast Menu Apology Tours](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/taco-bell-brand-apologist.md) - [Budget-Sensitive Meal Pricing](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/name-your-price-tool.md) - [Extended Hours QSR Initiatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/encore-hours.md) - [In-Store DIY Packaging Stations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/packaging-station.md)