# Fast Food Confections Cupcakes and Smoothies Now at Taco Bell By Marissa Liu | Published 2009-10-10 | Business Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/taco-bell-cupcakes-and-smoothies References: [fastfood.freedomblogging](http://fastfood.freedomblogging.com/2009/10/07/taco-bell-testing-cupcakes-smoothies/35977/) & [seekingalpha](http://seekingalpha.com/article/165350-yum-q3-2009-earnings-call-transcript?source=yahoo&page=-1) Britney Spears’ favorite food stop is trying something new. Cupcakes and smoothies are now available at two Taco Bell locations in California. The Irvine-based chain has installed a juice and dessert bar at its Buena Park and Tustin locations. Taco Bell refuses to discuss these ‘test’ products, but Yum (Taco Bell’s parent company) chief executive David Novak hinted that a “pipeline of new products” was coming in 2010. Taco Bell tasters reveal that a red velvet cupcake will retail for $1.29. New Taco Bell cupcakes and smoothies will be accompanied by: Crispy Mini Empanadas, Atomic Bacon Bombers, Warm Stuft Cookies, Dulce Dippers, Cheesy Churro Fries, Mini Churros, and Jalapeno Cheesy Bread. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.8/10 - Popularity: 57% | Activity: 50% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 10% men, 90% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Business](https://www.trendhunter.com/business) > [New Ventures](https://www.trendhunter.com/newventures) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Expansion of Fast Food Menus:** The introduction of cupcakes and smoothies at Taco Bell demonstrates the trend of fast food chains expanding their menus to offer a wider variety of food choices. - **Blend of Desserts and Beverages:** The combination of cupcakes and smoothies at Taco Bell reflects the trend of blending desserts and beverages to create unique and indulgent treats. - **Focus on New Product Development:** Taco Bell's announcement of a 'pipeline of new products' in 2010 suggests a trend of fast food chains prioritizing continuous new product development and innovation. ### Who This Affects Most - **Fast Food:** The fast food industry can explore innovative ways to expand their menus and attract new customers by incorporating non-traditional food items like cupcakes and smoothies. - **Bakery:** Bakeries have the opportunity to collaborate with fast food chains to supply them with unique and specialized cupcakes to add to their menus. - **Beverage:** The beverage industry can capitalize on the trend of combining beverages with desserts by creating and supplying fast food chains with a variety of smoothie options to offer their customers. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Sweet Celebration Churros](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/birthday-cake-churros.md) - [Collaboration QSR Desserts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/strawberry-bell-truffle.md) - [Blended Tex-Mex Refreshments](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/churro-chillers.md) - [Cookie-Flavored Slush Drinks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/confetti-cookie-freeze.md) - [Expansive Tex-Mex QSR Menus](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/taco-bell-menu-items.md) - [Taco-Inspired QSR Frozen Treats](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/taco-bell-klondike-choco-taco.md) - [Frozen QSR-Backed Chillers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/murrays-che.md) - [Crispy Chicken Empanadas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cheesy-chicken-crispanada.md) - [Fruit-Flavored Slush Drinks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/double-berry-freeze.md)