The outbreak was connected to iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms, which was identified by federal officials as a source of the illness. Taco Bell removed several ingredients early in the outbreak, but the company continued to experience a decline in restaurant visits in the following weeks.
Traffic Declines Followed the Outbreak as Taco Bell Removed Affected Ingredients
According to data from Placer.ai reviewed by Restaurant Business, visits to Taco Bell locations fell 18.1 percent on July 15 compared with the average for the same day of the week between January 1 and July 6, 2026. The decline continued, reaching 30.9 percent below that average on July 17.
The drop came after Taco Bell began removing ingredients that could potentially transmit cyclospora, including iceberg lettuce, cilantro-onion mix, and pico de gallo. The chain was among several companies affected by the outbreak after Taylor Farms products were identified as the source.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced the outbreak was over on September 11. From July 6, when the outbreak became national news, through that date, Taco Bell visits per location remained 12.2 percent lower year-over-year. The decline occurred during a period when Taco Bell introduced several discounts designed to encourage customers to return. The chain offered a $1 Enchirito, which normally costs about $4.29, and a $1 Mexican Pizza, which normally costs about $5.69.
Yum Brands Says Sales Trends Are Improving as Recovery Continues
Taco Bell’s parent company, Yum Brands, said the company had seen signs of improvement after the initial impact of the outbreak. During the company’s second-quarter earnings call in July, Chief Financial Officer Ranjith Roy said sales declines had “moderated materially” by the end of the month. “If you take the average sales for the last four days, we are halfway back to sales levels of the prior year, so we take some comfort in the early momentum,” Roy said during the call.
According to Restaurant Business, Roy later said during Barclays’ annual Global Consumer Staples Conference that Taco Bell’s recovery remained on track, pointing to week-over-week improvements in sales trends and several days with positive sales in the United States.
Roy also said there had been “no change in our measure of brand love” despite the negative coverage surrounding the outbreak. He said customers were returning to restaurants on a steady basis as sales trends improved.
The company’s recovery is being monitored alongside broader restaurant traffic patterns. According to Placer.ai research cited by Restaurant Business, some fast-casual chains recorded stronger visit performance during the same period, while results among quick-service restaurants varied. Chains connected to the cyclospora outbreak, including Taco Bell, saw visits per location decline during that timeframe.
Taco Bell has continued to rely on promotions and customer outreach while waiting for traffic levels to return. Company executives have said the brand’s long-term potential remains unchanged, while available data shows that customer visits have not yet fully returned to previous levels.
