Taco Bell, Chipotle, Yoshinoya
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July 15, 2026
Taco Bell has issued a statement in response to national reports that it is being investigated as a possible source in the national cyclospora outbreak that has sickened over 3,000 people. The company said public health officials have not confirmed a link to Taco Bell or any specific ingredient, supplier, restaurant or retailer, adding that it has voluntarily and temporarily removed limited ingredients at select restaurants as a precautionary measure. Reports surfaced last week that some Taco Bells in Michigan removed ingredients like lettuce, pico de gallo, and guacamole. Other chains, including Chipotle and Qdoba, said they are monitoring the situation and evaluating new information as it becomes available.
Chipotle has officially made its debut in Mexico in partnership with Alsea, which operates a portfolio of restaurant brands in Latin America and Europe. The chain’s new restaurant is in Monterrey, with additional locations planned this year and next. The company said it chose Monterrey for its Mexico debut because it has a strong economy and growing population. Chipotle signed its development agreement with Alsea last spring, shortly after CEO Scott Boatwright said he wanted the chain to become more of “an iconic global brand.”
The parent company of Yoshinoya has added a U.S. ramen brand to its portfolio. Yoshinoya Holdings Co. Ltd, based in Japan, this week announced the acquisition of the 17-unit Kizuki Ramen & Izakaya. The ramen chain was founded in Seattle in 2012 by Brandon Ting, who also founded the Supreme Dumplings concept. The acquisition, however, just focuses on Kizuki, and Ting will stay on as CEO. Yoshinoya Holdings operates the 100-unit quick-service teriyaki-bowl concept Yoshinoya across the U.S., and many other brands in Asia. Yoshinoya officials say the strategic partnership with Kizuki is designed to foster growth of both brands across the U.S.
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About the Authors
Lisa Jennings
Executive Editor, Restaurant Business
Lisa Jennings is a veteran restaurant industry reporter and editor who covers the fast-casual sector, independent restaurants and emerging chain concepts. Her experience includes other industry publications as well as the daily newspaper The Commercial Appeal in Memphis, Tenn., where she was Food Editor. Her work has been cited in the Los Angeles Times, Business Insider, FoodBeast, The Huffington Post, Time.com and more.
Leigh Anne Zinsmeister
Managing Editor
Leigh Anne Zinsmeister is a managing editor for Informa’s Foodservice Media, with brands including Nation’s Restaurant News, Restaurant Business, and Foodservice Director. Leigh Anne works on all of the brands’ special reports, including Nation’s Restaurant News’ annual Technomic Top 500 report. She also manages the group’s digital engagement team.
Leigh Anne lives in New York City, but also claims Phoenix, Dallas and Cleveland as hometowns. Leigh Anne holds a bachelor’s degree in print journalism from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University, where she also studied European history.
Email Leigh Anne at [email protected]
Leigh Anne Zinsmeister’s experience:
Group Managing Editor, Foodservice Media (June 2026-present)
Group Managing Editor, Informa’s Foodservices Vertical (Aug. 2021-June 2026)
Group Content Manager, Informa Restaurant and Food Group (Feb. 2020-Aug. 2021)
Digital Content Manager, Informa Restaurant and Food Group (April 2018-Feb. 2020)
Digital Content Producer, Informa Restaurant and Food Group (June 2016-April 2018)
Community Moderator, Mail Online (March 2014-June 2016)
Wire Editor, Gannett’s Phoenix Design studio (The Arizona Republic, The Reno Gazette-Journal, The Statesman Journal, The Great Falls Tribune, The Visalia Times-Delta, The Tulare Advance Register, The Salinas Californian, The St. George Spectrum, The Desert Sun, The Coloradoan) (Jan. 2012-March 2014)
Group Managing Editor, Foodservice Media (June 2026-present)
Group Managing Editor, Informa’s Foodservices Vertical (Aug. 2021-June 2026)
Group Content Manager, Informa Restaurant and Food Group (Feb. 2020-Aug. 2021)
Digital Content Manager, Informa Restaurant and Food Group (April 2018-Feb. 2020)
Digital Content Producer, Informa Restaurant and Food Group (June 2016-April 2018)
Community Moderator, Mail Online (March 2014-June 2016)
Wire Editor, Gannett’s Phoenix Design studio (The Arizona Republic, The Reno Gazette-Journal, The Statesman Journal, The Great Falls Tribune, The Visalia Times-Delta, The Tulare Advance Register, The Salinas Californian, The St. George Spectrum, The Desert Sun, The Coloradoan) (Jan. 2012-March 2014)
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Source: This story originated with Nation's Restaurant News.
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