Lakeville has been selected as one of just two Minnesota locations for Taco Bell's innovative Live Más Cafe concept, positioning the city as an early adopter of one of the restaurant industry's most exclusive new formats.
The announcement places Lakeville among fewer than 10 cities nationwide to receive the premium cafe concept, which represents Taco Bell's most significant brand evolution in recent years.
What Makes Live Más Cafe Different
The Live Más Cafe concept reimagines the traditional Taco Bell experience with a focus on handcrafted beverages and cafe-style ambiance. The centerpiece of each location is the "Bellrista" bar, where trained baristas prepare specialty drinks including:
Churro Chillers - frozen blended beverages
Agua Refrescas - fruit-flavored refreshers
Specialty coffees - craft coffee beverages
Handcrafted drink creations - unique to the cafe format
Beyond beverages, the Live Más Cafe features completely redesigned interiors with cafe-style seating, creating an atmosphere more aligned with fast-casual dining than traditional quick-service restaurants. The classic Taco Bell menu remains available, but with what the company describes as "a fresh take" on familiar favorites.
From San Diego to Lakeville: A Strategic Expansion
Taco Bell launched the Live Más Cafe pilot program in San Diego, California in 2024. After refining the concept through several California locations, the company selected a small number of markets for its first expansion beyond the Golden State.
Lakeville's selection is no accident. The city has consistently ranked among Minnesota's fastest-growing communities, with a demographic profile that aligns perfectly with Taco Bell's target audience for the upscale concept: young families, professionals, and millennials seeking affordable premium experiences.
"When major brands test new concepts, they choose growth markets very deliberately," said industry analysts familiar with restaurant expansion strategies. "Lakeville's selection indicates Taco Bell sees the city as representative of where American dining preferences are heading."
Why Lakeville Made the Cut
Several factors likely contributed to Lakeville's selection:
Demographic Match: Lakeville's median household income and age demographics align with the Live Más Cafe target customer profile.
Growth Trajectory: As one of the Twin Cities' fastest-growing suburbs, Lakeville offers an expanding customer base and development opportunities.
Market Position: Located south of the metro with easy highway access, Lakeville serves as a regional hub for surrounding communities.
Previous Success: National chains have consistently found success in Lakeville, making it a lower-risk environment for concept testing.
Minnesota's History with Taco Bell Innovation
This isn't Minnesota's first experience with groundbreaking Taco Bell concepts. In Brooklyn Park, the company opened a two-story "Taco Bell Defy" featuring four drive-thru lanes, a kitchen on the second floor, and a proprietary lift system that delivers orders from the second floor to ground-level customers.
The success of innovative formats in Minnesota appears to have positioned the state favorably for additional concept testing. With Lakeville and Rochester both receiving Live Más Cafe locations, Minnesota is punching above its weight in terms of national restaurant innovation.
What This Means for Lakeville
The Live Más Cafe arrival signals several positive trends for the community:
National Recognition: Selection for exclusive concepts indicates Lakeville's importance in site selection models used by major brands.
Increased Options: The cafe format expands dining and beverage choices for residents, particularly for those seeking affordable specialty drinks.
Economic Impact: New restaurant construction brings jobs, tax revenue, and increased commercial activity.
Future Development: Success of innovative concepts often attracts additional investment and development interest.
Timeline and Location Details
While Taco Bell has confirmed Lakeville as a Live Más Cafe location, specific details about the site and opening timeline have not been released. Based on the development timeline for California locations, industry observers estimate an 8-12 month period from announcement to opening.
Likely location candidates include high-traffic commercial corridors along Interstate 35W, the Cedar Avenue corridor, or newer development areas near Lakeville Town Center. These zones offer the visibility, traffic counts, and customer demographics that support the elevated concept.
Construction timelines for new restaurant builds typically range from 6-9 months once permits are secured and groundbreaking occurs.
The Broader Fast-Casual Trend
Taco Bell's Live Más Cafe concept reflects broader industry trends toward "premium fast-casual" dining. As consumer preferences shift away from traditional quick-service restaurants toward experiences offering higher quality ingredients, elevated atmospheres, and Instagram-worthy presentations, legacy brands are adapting.
The addition of specialty beverage programs represents a particularly smart strategic move. The specialty coffee and beverage market continues to grow, and capturing even a small percentage of that spend could significantly boost per-customer revenue.
By maintaining accessible price points while elevating the experience, Taco Bell aims to compete not just with other quick-service restaurants but with fast-casual chains and even traditional cafes.
What Residents Can Expect
For Lakeville residents, the Live Más Cafe will offer:
A New "Third Place": Beyond home and work, the cafe format positions Taco Bell as a potential gathering spot for casual meetings, remote work, or social connections.
Beverage Innovation: Access to specialty drinks not available at traditional Taco Bell locations, expanding options beyond coffee chains and smoothie shops.
Familiar Favorites, Elevated: The comfort of knowing the menu while experiencing a refreshed environment and expanded offerings.
Early Access: The opportunity to experience a concept that may not reach other markets for months or years.
Looking Ahead
As Lakeville awaits specific timeline and location announcements, the Live Más Cafe selection underscores the city's position as a desirable market for restaurant innovation and development.
For a community that has seen explosive growth over the past two decades, landing exclusive concepts like the Live Más Cafe represents another milestone in Lakeville's evolution from suburban bedroom community to a destination in its own right.
The coming months will bring additional details about the exact location, architectural renderings specific to the Lakeville site, and construction timelines. As information becomes available, The Development Tracker will continue to follow this story and provide updates to keep Lakeville residents informed about this exciting addition to the local dining scene.