The City of Mount Pearl issued a traffic advisory after long lines formed around its newest fast food restaurant, drawing drivers down Commonwealth Avenue and toward the Smallwood Drive intersection.
The congestion was caused by the grand opening of a new Taco Bell location, the first to open in Newfoundland and Labrador in years. Hundreds of customers turned out across the weekend, which prompted city officials to warn motorists of delays in the area.
According to the city, vehicles lined up through the drive-thru and spilled onto surrounding roads as demand surged from opening day.
Drive-thru lines stretch days after opening
In a post shared on social media, the City of Mount Pearl urged drivers to keep their “holiday spirit intact” as traffic backed up near the restaurant. The city also joked that the lineup looked “longer than Santa’s sleigh route.”
Franchise owner Kiran Heladiya told CBC News that nearly 700 customers were served on the restaurant’s opening day alone.
Local resident Kesten Turpin said he waited more than an hour to place an order. He told CBC News that he had never tried Taco Bell before and decided to join the line due to the excitement surrounding the opening.
Another customer, Marcus Fitzgerald, said he visited the restaurant as soon as it opened. He told CBC News he ordered a Crunchwrap Supreme and cinnamon twists after learning the chain was finally opening a location in the province.
Several customers said their familiarity with the brand came from trips outside Newfoundland and Labrador, including visits to the United States and Halifax.
