Taco Bell rolls out Encore Hours, extends late night service in select cities

Taco Bell announced on December 10, 2025 that it will pilot Encore Hours™, an initiative to keep some restaurants open later in selected cities so guests leaving late night events can still purchase food after shows. The company framed the program as a fan first effort to align operating hours with customer lifestyle moments, and cited pilot markets while describing the operational planning required to support later service.

The initiative was presented as more than a marketing idea, with planning that touches payroll, staffing and in store operations. Taco Bell outlined scheduling changes to cover late night demand, potential adjustments to hourly staffing plans, and the need to implement safety and security plans for later shifts. The announcement noted that running later shifts will require changes to manager and crew schedules, service workflows and staffing coverage to maintain speed and quality during new operating windows.

Corporate leadership is positioning Encore Hours™ as a targeted response to specific demand spikes tied to concerts and other late night events, rather than a blanket change for every location. The company said it will pilot the concept in select markets to test customer demand and operational feasibility before any broader rollout. That phased approach signals an expectation of iteration on scheduling practices and staffing models as lessons emerge from the pilots.

For workers the most immediate impacts will be shift timing and possibly shift availability. Managers will need to rework schedules to staff later shifts, and hourly staffing plans may be revised to match peak demand patterns. The company also emphasized safety and security planning, which could mean new protocols, staffing or partnerships to support employees who work later hours.

As Taco Bell moves from pilot to potential expansion, crew members and store managers should expect communications about updated schedules, training on late night procedures and any changes to staffing rules. The early focus on scheduling, staffing and safety makes Encore Hours™ a workplace change that will involve front line teams as much as corporate planners.