[UPDATE] The Bell Tolls For Brookhaven Taco Joint, New Building Coming Soon

Taco Bell has closed its restaurant at 3385 Buford Highway in Brookhaven.  The restaurant, located in an outparcel of Northeast Plaza, closed "about a week ago," according to locals in the area.  DeKalb County property records indicate that the 2,196 square foot building was constructed in 1994 and sits on just over one acre.  

The 30 year old restaurant was demolished earlier this week and will be rebuilt in the coming months as a more modern and efficient Taco Bell...without the terra cotta roof of the former restaurant, a feature the brand was synonymous with in its early days.  

Southpaw, through its affiliate ABTB Mid-Atlantic LLC, and with financing provided by affiliates of Balance Point Capital, acquired the Brookhaven and 38 other Atlanta area Taco Bell restaurants in September 2023.  Terms of the deal were not disclosed but the acquisition was said to have given the Connecticut-based firm "geographic diversity" with a total of 115 Taco Bell restaurants in five states. 

The new Taco Bell will sport the brand's "Endeavor 2.0" design and be a bit larger than its predecessor, measuring 2,235 square feet.  

Founded by Glen Bell in Downey, California in 1962, Taco Bell was acquired by PepsiCo in 1978 for $125 million in stock.  Following PepsiCo's exit from the restaurant business in 1997, Taco Bell, KFC, and Pizza Hut were spun off into Yum! Brands.  Today there are nearly 300 Taco Bell restaurants in Georgia and more than 8,000 nationwide.  

Neighboring eatery Wendy's closed and abandoned its freestanding restaurant this past May after fifty years in business.  There are currently no immediate plans for the 2,441 square foot former Wendy's, but it is currently being offered for lease by Northeast Plaza landlord Brixmor.   

Further down Buford Highway but still within Northeast Plaza, a longtime Pizza Hut is being renovated with classic elements and the old-turned-new logo.  Across the street from the Pizza Hut, an older Domino's Pizza also looks to be getting a serious facelift.  

ToNeTo Atlanta exclusively reported November 4 that Burlington is coming to Northeast Plaza in 2025 with a roughly 25,000 square foot store planned for the large center.  

Are you excited about the changes and improvements coming to Northeast Plaza?  What other retailers or restaurants would you like to see open in the center?  What is your favorite chain taco spot?  

Please share your thoughts below.