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ATLANTA (CBSMiami/CNN) – Taco Bell is beefing up its dollar meal menu with spicy fries as it competes with other fast food chains for penny-pinching customers.
READ MORE: Florida Man Severely Burned When Fire Erupts During Arrest Attempt At Wawa Gas StationOn January 25th, Taco Bell will begin selling $1 nacho fries in a limited release.
The fries will feature “bold Mexican seasoning” and include a side of nacho cheese dipping sauce, according to the company.
Last month it added the $1 “Stacker,” a quesadilla-like egg sandwich, to its Dollar All Day menu, and says it plans to add 20 new $1 items this year.
Chains such as Taco Bell and Jack in the Box have been in a dollar menu war of sorts to compete with the behemoth — McDonald’s — which has been aggressively lowering its prices.
Some experts say restaurants don’t make much money from heavily discounting fast food prices in the face of food inflation.
READ MORE: February Trial Scheduled In Florida 'Don't Say Gay' Law FightBut the restaurants can profit if the discounts lure customers to higher-priced items, or bundles of low cost items offered at restaurants like Burger King, Wendy’s and KFC.
For Taco Bell — which offers $5 combo boxes that include mix-and-match menu items and a drink — food bundles have been a win.
The company said it sold $1 billion worth of its bundles in 2017.
The Tex-Mex fast food chain, owned by Yum Brands, has been eying fried potatoes as a way to innovate its menu.
It announced a new $2 “California Loaded Fries Burrito” last month and was teasing French fry offerings throughout last year.
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