Taco Bell and Carl’s Jr near completion in Nowra, residents display mixed reactions

Two of the world’s largest fast food behemoths will soon open restaurants on the south coast – however the move has cooked up a divisive conversation among residents with some salivating for healthier options.

Two of the world’s largest fast food behemoths will soon open restaurants in Nowra – however the move has cooked up a divisive conversation among residents with some welcoming the news while others salivate for healthier options.

The conversation among Nowra residents arises as both a Taco Bell and Carl’s Jr venue near completion on Worrigee St, at the old Supa IGA site.

Development applications for the two fast food giants were approved by Shoalhaven Council last August, which also includes the construction of a 7/11 service station.

According to a spokesman for Taco Bell, the move to bring the Mexican giant to the coastal region came after the success of its recently-opened Illawarra store.

“It wasn’t long ago that we opened our Albion Park restaurant in the Illawarra and it has been a huge success and loved by locals,” they said.

“We wanted to move down into the Nowra area to give the growing town a taste of our delicious Mexican food.”

A Carl’s Jr spokesman shared the same sentiment and said how excited it was to bring the American burger chain to the regional area.

The Taco Bell on Worrigee St Nowra will be open to the public by the end of 2023.

Development application plans for the Taco Bell which is nearing completion.

“We have been running successful stores in the Sydney area since 2021, so it made sense to move into the regional south coast,” they said.

A Carl’s Jr will also soon open in Warrawong in the Wollongong area after construction began mid last year.

However some Nowra residents have expressed disappointment in the nearly completed restaurants, such as Mary Johnson, who said she wanted healthier options.

“We already have so many fast food options here,” she said on social media. “It would be so nice to see more health food shops or restaurants offering healthier alternatives.”

A look at what the completed Carl's Jr will look like.

An artist impression of the finished block at Worrigee St, including a 7-11, Taco Bell and Carl's Jr.

Many agreed with Ms Johnson's argument, saying there was no need for the town of 34,000 people to have so many fast food restaurants.

“We have to be Australia’s unhealthiest town,” Sarah Anderson posted.

“Where’s a salad bar or something? I always feel sick when I eat these kind of fast food burgers,” Dean Tyrone also posted.

Both Taco Bell and Carl’s Jr join the large list of Nowra fast food options, from four McDonald’s, two Hungry Jacks, to other Mexican franchises like Zambreros or Guzman y Gomez – which opened next to the Princes Hwy only two months ago.

However others have welcomed the addition of the two stores, noting how the town was simply growing.

“Nowra is growing so quick, it makes sense we’re getting more options which were once limited to areas like Wollongong, Canberra and Sydney,” Travis Walton said.

“A Carl’s Jr in Nowra is such a cool thing, I wish people would stop complaining over such little things,” Warren Rick also said.

According to both the Taco Bell and Carl’s Jr spokesmen, both restaurants are on track to open later this year.