State Officials Trying to Persuade Taco Bell to Stay

State officials are beginning to use their influence in an effort to keep Taco Bell from moving out of state.

The fast-food company has been threatening to leave for a more hospitable business climate in three years once the lease is up on its Irvine headquarters.

Several state officials have met with Taco Bell executives, said company spokeswoman Janis Smith, but she refused to divulge any details. The state also would not say what, if any, economic incentives might be offered to the company.

Smith said the company has not met with anyone from a so-called “red team,” a group of state and local officials formed when needed to meet with major companies thinking about moving business operations out of California. The state reportedly has formed such a team to meet with Taco Bell management.