Taco Bell Townsville store opens

Sarah Keith and Matthew Loder camped outside the entrance of the Taco Bell store 15 hours ahead of its opening, sleeping in the boot of their car and enlisting the help of a cousin to bring them food to retain their spots at the front of the queue.

Taco Bell in Townsville has officially opened, attracting a long line of people and cars to the new restaurant. Sarah Keith and Matthew Loder were first in line to get their hands on the tasty food, camping out for 15 hours. PICTURE: MATT TAYLOR.

SARAH Keith and Matthew Loder camped outside the entrance of the Taco Bell store 15 hours ahead of its opening, sleeping in the boot of their car and enlisting the help of a cousin to bring them food to retain their spots at the front of the queue.

The strong sun wasn’t enough to deter dozens of patrons from lining up in front of the Taco Bell store for its official opening today at 10am.

Taco Bell in Townsville has officially opened, attracting a long line of people and cars to the new restaurant. Sarah Keith and Matthew Loder were first in line to get their hands on the tasty food, camping out for 15 hours. PICTURE: MATT TAYLOR.

Ms Keith and Mr Loder were given the honour of cutting the ribbon for the launch of the fast-food chain in Townsville for their

“It was a bit uncomfortable laying in the boot of a car, we reversed it up here (in front of the store) and slept in it,” she said.

“I had my cousin bring us some deep fried food last night and we came prepared with blankets.”

Taking the first few bites of their nachos, Ms Keith said the food was worth the hype.

“Best way to start the day I reckon,” she said.

Fans donned in Taco Bell sombreros and merchandise chanted and yelled in the sun, with a supply of workers distributing sunscreen and water bottles.

Taco Bell in Townsville has officially opened, attracting a long line of people and cars to the new restaurant. Luella Bright, 10, Poppi Bright, 8 and Mikayla Moore, 10 waiting in line. PICTURE: MATT TAYLOR.

A Queensland Ambulance Service spokesman said paramedics were called to the store to treat a patient for a “heat related illness”.

Several cars were banked up waiting to enter the drive-through.

Taco Bell in Townsville has officially opened, attracting a long line of people and cars to the new restaurant. PICTURE: MATT TAYLOR.

Taco Bell marketing co-ordinator Tamika Nelsen said anyone who visited the store on Saturday was in the running to win free food for a year.

“So everyone wins something today, but one lucky customer will win Taco Bell for an entire year,” she said.

“We have limited edition merchandise the first 62 people in will get a custom designed T-shirt, we have games, live music Tacombe vehicles driving to and from The Strand to the restaurant throughout the day for free.

“It’s been very exciting, our Townsville locals have been very excited about us finally coming.”

Originally published as Taco Bell Townsville store opens