Unveiling Carl’s Jr.’s Overlooked Mexican Fast Food Adventure – A Chowhound Exploration

Fast food chains can face surprising failures, even the biggest names. For example, Shake Shack tried donuts, and Burger King gave burritos a shot, but neither took off. One lesser-known failure came from Carl’s Jr. in 1972 when they launched a Mexican-themed spin-off called Taco de Carlos.

Taco de Carlos featured a mix of California-style Mexican dishes and Carl’s Jr. burgers. Unfortunately, the venture didn’t succeed and closed its doors after about ten years. While Carl’s Jr. continues to thrive, Taco de Carlos has mostly faded from memory, much like when McDonald’s once served pizza.

By the time Taco de Carlos was launched, Carl’s Jr. was already well-established. Carl Karcher, the founder, wanted to diversify the menu. In 1964, he started Carl Karcher Enterprises, paving the way for Taco de Carlos a decade later.

The launch was strategic. Taco Bell was gaining popularity, and Mexican food was trending. Taco de Carlos aimed to grab a piece of that market. Yet, despite having 17 locations at one point, it never caught on. As larger chains like Taco Bell and Del Taco flourished, Taco de Carlos struggled and ultimately closed, with remaining locations sold off to competitors.