LOUISVILLE, KY. — Yum! Brands, Inc. on March 24 announced the grand opening of the first Taco Bell in India by its international division, Yum! Restaurants International (YRI).

“We’re delighted to be offering Taco Bell to consumers in India, a key growth market in our global portfolio,” said Graham Allan, president, Yum! Restaurants International. “Based on customer feedback so far, we expect it will become extremely popular, just as it is in the United States. The Mexican-style food is perfect for the Indian taste palate and we will be offering a variety of vegetarian meals as well so that everyone can enjoy it.”

Yum! Brands said the new Taco Bell India menu features tacos, burritos, nachos, quesadillas and Crunchwraps, including spicier products tailored to the Indian market. In addition, 50% percent of the menu features a vegetarian range of products specially created for Indian consumers, including potato paneer burritos and crunchy potato tacos.

Over the past few years, Yum! Brands has expanded Taco Bell beyond Canada and Puerto Rico to other markets, including Guatemala, Costa Rica, Panama, Dominican Republic, Guam, Iceland, Philippines, Dubai, Spain and Cyprus.

The company said it sees India as a key growth market due to its “extremely young and large population of 1.1 billion people, growing middle class and emerging economy.”

By 2015, Yum! Brands said it expects to have at least 1,000 restaurants in India, up from 230 restaurants as of year-end 2009.