A new Taco Bell is planned for 4115 E. U.S. Highway 377 in Granbury. The project is described as a $1.25 million restaurant, with completion expected in December 2026. An existing Taco Bell is listed at 835 East Highway 377, raising the question of whether Granbury could have two locations along the corridor.
Rakesh Kumar, president and CEO of Kumar Management Corp., is associated with the planned project. Taco Bell's own location listings identify an existing location at 835 East Highway 377.
According to WhatNow, the project would extend Kumar Management Corp.'s Taco Bell footprint further into North Texas, where the franchisee also operates a location in Weatherford. WhatNow reported it contacted Kumar about the opening timeline but did not receive a response. The outlet also noted that public filing dates are not always definitive — a caveat construction-industry watchers routinely apply to early-stage permitting timelines.
A Franchisee With a Sprawling Footprint
Kumar Management Corp.'s reach extends well beyond Hood County. Construction tracking records compiled by Zabalist show the operator has managed at least five documented commercial projects across Texas worth more than $151 million combined, including Taco Bell builds in Arlington, Sherman, and Waxahachie. The franchisee also operates a Taco Bell in Weatherford.
The franchisee isn't the only one growing in Texas. Taco Bell has continued expanding across the state through several franchise groups, including Tacala, which plans to operate locations in Hutto, Cedar Park, and Dripping Springs and counts more than 350 locations across the Southeast and Texas. Taco Bell itself, founded by Glen Bell in 1962 in Downey, California, now has more than 8,200 locations worldwide and operates as part of Yum! Brands.
Highway 377 Corridor Fills In Fast
The proposed Taco Bell would land in a stretch of the 4100 block of East U.S. Highway 377.
That buildout tracks with Granbury's population growth. Municipal demographic data from the City of Granbury shows the city's population grew 13.1 percent between 2020 and 2025, reaching 13,405 residents, while Hood County's population expanded to 66,007 and is projected to hit 68,160 in 2026.
What Comes Before the Drive-Thru Opens
Before any drive-thru window opens for business, the project will need to clear state accessibility rules. Under Texas Administrative Code Title 16 Section 68.52, privately funded commercial projects registered with TDLR must be inspected by a Registered Accessibility Specialist no later than the first anniversary of completion, and the inspection must be requested within 30 days of completion.
Franchise costs for new Taco Bell units follow a standard corporate structure, though regional real estate markets shift the total investment. Taco Bell Corp.'s Franchise Disclosure Document lists an initial franchise fee range of $25,000 to $45,000, with total initial investment varying by store design and market.
Whether Granbury ends up with two active Taco Bell locations along the same corridor, or whether the new build eventually replaces the existing 835 East Highway 377 store, remains an open question tied to how the project timeline plays out. A separate Taco Bell proposal in Leander was also tied to state filings along a highway corridor.
