Taco Bell introduced Doritos Locos Tacos on March 8, 2012.
The product combined a familiar fast-food taco filling with a shell flavored like Nacho Cheese Doritos. Taco Bell developed the item in partnership with Frito-Lay, Doritos’ maker, turning the taco shell itself into the brand-name innovation. The launch was timed to coincide with Taco Bell’s 50th anniversary.
The taco remained structurally similar to Taco Bell’s standard crunchy taco: seasoned beef, lettuce, and cheese inside a crisp corn shell. The major distinction was that the shell was seasoned to taste like Nacho Cheese Doritos. A Supreme version added tomatoes and sour cream.
A common mix-up is confusing the two companies involved. Doritos supplied the flavor and brand partnership, but Taco Bell was the restaurant chain that introduced the menu item. The collaboration became one of the chain’s most successful launches and later inspired additional shell flavors and Doritos-branded retail products.