Taco Bell is opening its highly anticipated two-story drive thru restaurant in Minnesota — see what it looks like and how it works

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Taco Bell is opening its highly anticipated two-story drive thru restaurant in Minnesota — see what it looks like and how it works
  • Taco Bell is opening its first four-lane, two-story drive-thru in Minnesota.
  • The chain first revealed plans for the massive restaurant last year.
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Taco Bell is finally opening the doors of its four-lane, two-story drive-thru in Minnesota that was first announced last summer.

Taco Bell is finally opening the doors of its four-lane, two-story drive-thru in Minnesota that was first announced last summer.
Taco Bell

Source: Insider

Taco Bell Defy is designed to serve drive-thru customers, mobile orders, and delivery drivers in just two minutes or less, one of the fastest times in the industry.

Taco Bell Defy is designed to serve drive-thru customers, mobile orders, and delivery drivers in just two minutes or less, one of the fastest times in the industry.
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Customers can park in designated parking spaces to create mobile orders on Taco Bell's app.

Customers can park in designated parking spaces to create mobile orders on Taco Bell's app.
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Then mobile order customers can use a designated pick up lane to receive their food.

Then mobile order customers can use a designated pick up lane to receive their food.
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These customers will be able to check in on mobile order screens with their QR codes provided by the app.

These customers will be able to check in on mobile order screens with their QR codes provided by the app.
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Another drive-thru lane will be dedicated just to delivery drivers picking up orders through third-party apps like UberEats and DoorDash.

Another drive-thru lane will be dedicated just to delivery drivers picking up orders through third-party apps like UberEats and DoorDash.
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The final drive-thru lane will be more traditional, with a standard ordering board where customers can choose food and pay right at the restaurant.

The final drive-thru lane will be more traditional, with a standard ordering board where customers can choose food and pay right at the restaurant.
Taco Bell

The four drive-thru lanes are larger than a standard restaurant, but follow the industry trend of adding lanes that has swept Taco Bell, McDonald's, and other chains.

The four drive-thru lanes are larger than a standard restaurant, but follow the industry trend of adding lanes that has swept Taco Bell, McDonald's, and other chains.
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Customers who order at the traditional speaker will talk to workers on the second floor of the restaurant through both audio and video.

Customers who order at the traditional speaker will talk to workers on the second floor of the restaurant through both audio and video.
Taco Bell

These workers will be located in the kitchen, which is located on top of the drive-thru lanes.

These workers will be located in the kitchen, which is located on top of the drive-thru lanes.
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This unusual drive-thru design minimizes the restaurant's footprint.

This unusual drive-thru design minimizes the restaurant's footprint.
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The food is then delivered through a lift system down to waiting customers.

The food is then delivered through a lift system down to waiting customers.
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The food delivery system is contactless, and could be the "future of quick-service dining," according to CEO of operator Border Foods Lee Engler.

The food delivery system is contactless, and could be the "future of quick-service dining," according to CEO of operator Border Foods Lee Engler.
Taco Bell

The lift system is proprietary, but there could by copy attempts in the future if the restaurants is successful.

The lift system is proprietary, but there could by copy attempts in the future if the restaurants is successful.
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In the initial press release last year, the chain defined its food service system as defying gravity, leading to the "Defy" name.

In the initial press release last year, the chain defined its food service system as defying gravity, leading to the "Defy" name.
Taco Bell

The process is new to fast food customers, though it seems somewhat similar to the system at a bank, and Taco Bell provided instructions for helping buyers figure it out.

The process is new to fast food customers, though it seems somewhat similar to the system at a bank, and Taco Bell provided instructions for helping buyers figure it out.
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Though most of the buzz is focused on the drive-thru, customers will also be able to order inside the restaurant.

Though most of the buzz is focused on the drive-thru, customers will also be able to order inside the restaurant.
Taco Bell

Ordering kiosks have gained traction in fast food in recent years, and they'll be included in this design, too.

Ordering kiosks have gained traction in fast food in recent years, and they'll be included in this design, too.
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Franchisee Border Foods says it is already considering how to best retrofit these designs onto other existing restaurants.

Franchisee Border Foods says it is already considering how to best retrofit these designs onto other existing restaurants.
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Taco Bell Defy opens in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota on June 7.

Taco Bell Defy opens in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota on June 7.
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Do you have a story to share about a retail or restaurant chain? Email this reporter at mmeisenzahl@businessinsider.com.

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