Taco Bell's nacho fries are returning to menus on Thursday.

The fries debuted almost exactly a year ago and were an immediate hit for Taco Bell.

This year, the nacho fries are returning as McDonald's prepares to launch cheesy bacon fries, setting up a battle of the fast-food cheese fries.

Taco Bell's nacho fries are returning to menus as a cheesy loaded-fry trend sweeps America.

On Thursday, nacho fries are back on menus across the United States.

Taco Bell's nacho fries debuted almost exactly a year ago, in January 2018. Instead of taking the classic fast-food route, Taco Bell tops its fries with a spicy seasoning and serves them with a side of nacho cheese.

Nacho fries are returning as McDonald's prepares to launch cheesy bacon fries, setting up a battle of the fast-food cheese fries. Hollis Johnson/Business Insider

Read more: Taco Bell's nacho fries were the best new fast-food menu item of 2018

In May, Taco Bell's parent company, Yum Brands, reported that nacho fries served as a significant sales driver for the chain, with more than 53 million orders placed before the item disappeared from the menu in April. Taco Bell's same-store sales increased by 1% in the quarter when nacho fries were introduced. According to the company, roughly 25% of Taco Bell orders in the quarter included fries.

Now, the fries are returning at a time when a new cheesy-fry competitor is entering the scene.

On January 30, McDonald's plans to launch its own version of nacho fries: cheesy bacon fries. The launch is intended to encourage customers to consider purchasing McDonald's fries as a snack — instead of just as a side — and to boost the number of customers visiting the chain, according to internal documents viewed by Business Insider.