ANN ARBOR, MI - Add Taco Bell to the list of food vendors to occupy the renovated Michigan Union when it reopens in January.

Taco Bell joins six other restaurants in the lower level of the Union after its 18-month, $85.2 million renovation is complete. It is joined by new restaurants, including Panera Bread, Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea, MI Burger, Mama DeLuca’s and Blue Market. Prior vendors Panda Express and Subway also are returning.

The incoming Taco Bell franchise is owned by Grand Blanc-based Great Lakes Taco, LLC. Its CEO Louis C. Dortch Jr., is the owner of 26 Michigan Taco Bell locations.

“When looking at restaurant brands we made a very broad request for proposals, including both local and national brands, so that we could consider a variety of cuisines, dietary advantages, and price points. Taco Bell rounds out this diverse offering with a mix of options and selections to make students, staff and guests want to return regularly,” Michigan Union Director Amy White said in a statement. “We are very pleased to welcome Taco Bell to the Union.”

Among its daily menu, Taco Bell will provide many vegetarian, vegan and healthy options.

Although Taco Bell is new to the Michigan Union, it returns to the UM campus after previously being available in the Michigan League before closing about five years ago.

The Michigan Union has been closed since May 2018. When it reopens, the iconic space will have vastly remodeled features including a lounge and study spaces that have nearly doubled in size in the first floor’s Willis Ward lounge, which features a large fireplace, to the second-floor idea hub, giving students and student organizations space to collaborate.

The project also includes plans to enclose the courtyard for year-round use. A new glass-and-steel roof structure is included over the courtyard, while the appearance of the roof will incorporate arches and curves found in the original 1919 Michigan Union building.

University of Michigan student union to close for nearly 2 years

Panera Bread, Sweetwaters among vendors selected for renovated Michigan Union

See plans for extreme makeover of University of Michigan student union