US-based quick service restaurant (QSR) operator Southpaw has acquired 40 Taco Bell locations in the Greater Atlanta market, Georgia.

The company has not divulged the financial details of the deal.

Southpaw co-founder and co-CEO Judd Wishnow said: “We are thrilled to deepen our strong relationship with Taco Bell and our footprint within this iconic brand.

“Taco Bell combines segment dominance with market-leading profits, consistent menu innovation and disruptive marketing. There are few QSR concepts that have exhibited more post-pandemic resilience than Taco Bell.

“We have been successfully operating Taco Bell restaurants for more than five years and take great pride in the high-value products and loyal customer base the franchise has built.”

Following the acquisition, Southpaw now owns 115 Taco Bell outlets across five US states. When including its Dunkin' locations, Southpaw owns 180 restaurants throughout eight states, with yearly sales of more than $300m.

The QSR operator expects the acquisition to add to its geographic diversity and scale within its Taco Bell network.

Going forward, the company intends to continue expanding its portfolio through both add-on acquisitions and new store development.

Wishnow added: “Our acquisition in Atlanta gives us a network of locations that we believe will benefit from our operating strategies and unique ability to capitalise on white space in the market for new development.

“We could not be happier with the growth of our Taco Bell platform and we look forward to continued expansion, as we seek to create additional value for our stakeholders.”

In December 2021, Southpaw purchased 35 Taco Bell restaurants across Northern Virginia and DC-Metro Maryland for an undisclosed sum.