Taco Bell fans mad after Cool Ranch Doritos delay

NEW YORK — Some Taco Bell fans are angry after a delay in the launch of new tacos made with Cool Ranch Doritos shells.

The fast-food chain had announced this week that it would release its highly anticipated Cool Ranch Doritos Locos Tacos on Wednesday, a day earlier than planned. But then some fans began posting on the chain’s Facebook page complaining their local restaurants didn’t have them yet. They said they were told by local employees that the tacos wouldn’t be available until Thursday.

“VERY disappointed!” one fan wrote. “Boo to you,” wrote another. One fan posted a letter to the chain online, detailing how he and a friend made a trip to their local Taco Bell after midnight Wednesday to get their first taste of the new tacos. He said they ended up getting the regular Doritos Locos Tacos because they were “basically committed anyway.”

Taco Bell, which is owned by Yum Brands Inc. of Louisville, Ky., apologized in a statement. A spokeswoman noted that the early launch was at participating restaurants but noted the complaints could be fairly isolated issues. She said customers should call ahead to verify their locations had the tacos.

Meanwhile, other posts on Taco Bell’s Facebook page mocked those who were complaining. “Oh my god all of you shut up, it’s just a taco,” one person wrote.

Taco Bell introduced its Doritos Locos Tacos in Nachos Cheese flavor a year ago. CEO Greg Creed has said the tacos have been a runaway hit, accounting for about a quarter of all taco sales. The chain plans to keep rolling out new flavors, including a spicy “Flamas” flavor later this year.