Velvet Taco introduces an everyday value platform
The 2 for $10 mix-and-match menu includes two tacos and a drink.
July 9, 2026
Velvet Taco is joining most of the rest of the industry by adding a new everyday value platform. The 2 for $10 menu allows customers to mix-and-match any two tacos from a lineup of more than 16 options and also includes a fountain drink for that set price.
Some of the choices include Velvet Taco’s signature French Dip, Spicy Tikka Chicken, and Beer Battered Cauliflower tacos. For $3 more, guests can add any side, including queso, guac, elote, buttery cilantro rice or tots. Coinciding with this launch, Velvet Taco is also introducing new protein cups.
“Velvet Taco is known for bold, scratch-made tacos, and the 2 for $10 makes it easier for guests to come back more often,” Director of Marketing Brittney Stephens said in a statement. “Two tacos and a drink for 10 bucks gives guests real value without making the experience feel ordinary.”
With the value platform and protein cup launches, Velvet Taco is embracing significant industrywide trends. Value menus have been accelerating for the past two years as consumers — especially lower-income and middle-class — pull back on their restaurant visits. Research from Circana shows that nearly 30% of all restaurant traffic is now driven by a deal, illustrating how intense the space has become.
Mix-and-match offerings have become a bigger part of that value proposition, offering customers more flexibility and customization options. Moe’s Southwest Grill just launched a build-your-own meal kit, for instance, while Pret A Manger, Panera, Buffalo Wild Wings, Little Caesars, Habit Burger & Grill, and Sweetgreen have all recently added similar offerings.
Then, there’s the protein trend. Velvet Taco joins Chipotle in offering protein cups to fulfill consumers’ increased demand for the nutrient, driven by changing consumer diets, social media, and the rise of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs. Recent research from Revenue Management Solutions shows that 62% of consumers “sometimes, often, or always” look for high-protein options on a menu, while 38% are willing to pay more for such options. Additionally, nearly 50% of consumers say they would switch restaurant brands for meals with more protein options.
Velvet Taco finished 2025 with $160.1 million in sales, marking a nearly 12% year-over-year increase, according to Technomic. It has more than 50 locations.
Contact Alicia Kelso at [email protected]
Follow her on TikTok: @aliciakelso
About the Author
Alicia Kelso
Executive Editor, Nation's Restaurant News
Alicia Kelso is the executive editor of Nation's Restaurant News. She began covering the restaurant industry in 2010 for QSRweb.com, FastCasual.com, and PizzaMarketplace.com. When her son was born, she left the industry to pursue a role in higher education, but swiftly returned after realizing how much she missed the space. In filling that void, Alicia added a contributor role at Restaurant Dive and a senior contributor role at Forbes.
Her work has appeared in publications around the world, including Forbes Asia, NPR, Bloomberg, The Seattle Times, Crain's Chicago, Good Morning America, and Franchise Asia Magazine.
Alicia holds a degree in journalism from Bowling Green State University, where she competed on the women's swim team. In addition to cheering for the BGSU Falcons, Alicia is a rabid Michigan fan and will talk about college football with anyone willing to engage. She lives in Louisville, Kentucky, with her wife and son.
Follow her on TikTok @aliciakelso
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