UNIQUE TACO BELL TO OPEN HERE TUESDAY

The only Taco Bell of its kind in the U.S. opens Tuesday in Cape Girardeau, said co-owner Keith Hutson of Farmington. It is at 3039 William in front of West Park Mall.

The restaurant will have an upscale contemporary appearance.

"This is the only one in the U.S. that looks like this," said Hutson. "It has more of a modern look than others. The colors, which are green, teal and purple, are fancier. The drink station is right in the dining area, and the seating is arranged differently than others."

Hutson and his wife, Karen, owners of Hutson Enterprises Inc., have built six Taco Bells and plan more in Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois.

The local restaurant will serve as a prototype for subsequent ones.

"Our future ones will follow this example," he said. "Other franchisees are interested in it. One from Columbia is coming in Monday to look at it for what he is putting up in South Dakota."

The restaurant also differs from other Taco Bells with its seating capacity. "This one has seating for 92 customers," Hutson said. "They usually have seating capacity in the 60s. We thought the demand would merit the extra space."

Hutson said the building and operation is designed with the customers' needs in mind. For example, the drive-through lane is longer than normal to allow better accessibility.

The Hutsons built their first Taco Bell restaurant in 1988 in Farmington, and have added others since then in Poplar Bluff, Sikeston and Mount Vernon, Ill. They are finishing another in Marion, Ill., near a new Wal-Mart next month.

"We have been approved for two more stores beyond these," Hutson said. "We are not sure yet of the locations."

About 60 people will be employed at the Cape Girardeau restaurant, half of whom will be part-time. Fred Weber of Cape Girardeau, who has 12 years experience in food service, is the manager, said Hutson.

The facility will be open 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily, and until 3 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays. A grand opening with several promotions is being planned to take place in about three weeks.

He is leasing the land and the building from Bob Drury. Hutson said the value of the 2,600-square-foot building is $300,000. He started negotiations for the property one and one-half years ago.

Hutson's first experience with Taco Bell occurred in 1968, when he ate lunch at one in Southgate, Calif.

"My parents moved to California to get away from the small town," said the Farmington native. "And since then we all have returned, wanting to come back to a small town from California."

Taco Bell, which is owned by PepsiCo, is headquartered in Irvine, Calif.

A Taco Bell also is situated at 1740 Broadway.