Taco Bell Defy in Brooklyn Park, MN is a project that does just that – defies. It defies the norms of how a fast food business provides its services to customers. Unlike previous fast food restaurants, Taco Bell Defy takes on a uniquely vertical approach. The kitchen is situated on the second story of the building, while the ground level provides to-go ordering for walk-up customers. The drive lanes located below the elevated structure feature enclosed lifts that lower orders directly from the kitchen above to the vehicles of the patrons below. This experimental development has drawn the attention of many as it has defied such an established way of doing business.  

Working with Border Foods Inc. on their new innovative restaurant concept has been an immense joy. Having the opportunity to participate in this iterative pioneering effort alongside them has allowed SRa to show what forms this new style of design and construction can take. The incorporation of the sleek, horizontal window shades and louvers, the combination of white, purple, and maroon-colored metal panels, and the simple and easy-to-navigate site layout for customers all mix seamlessly to define a unique work of architecture fit for a unique fast food experience. SRa is proud to have shown what is physically capable with this new concept and is proud to have led the design effort together with Engelsma Construction, The Workshop, and PD Instore. 

Customers can now participate in a radically new fast food experience. SRa has helped make this idea a reality through the selection of stylish, contemporary design elements paired with a simple and practical interior and exterior layout. Taco Bell Defy serves to challenge the norm as an epitome to the quickly changing landscape of the world. Focused on evolving the customer fast food experience, this project and its design lay the groundwork for new developments in the industry and put on full display the beauty of innovation and defiance.