Irvine-based Taco Bell Corp. signed a deal to open its first franchised restaurant in India, according to news reports overseas.
One report said the Mexican-themed fast-food chain plans 25 locations in the next 18 to 24 months, with a mix of franchised and company-owned stores.
Taco Bell already has six locations in the country that are company-owned.
The first franchised restaurant under the deal is scheduled to open this week in a mall in New Delhi, the report said. The agreement is with Burman Hospitality Pvt. The Burman family has business interests in India in several areas, including insurance, financial services, consumer goods, and a private equity firm called Elephant Capital.
Family members are involved in franchising Subway sandwich shops in India, one report said.
Taco Bell operates more than 6,000 restaurants, about 5,800 of them in the U.S.
Louisville, Ky.-based parent Yum! Restaurants Inc. said in December that it wants to add 1,300 Taco Bell restaurants and $2 billion in sales overseas.
