There are two restaurant chains whetting their appetite, so to speak, when it comes to Manteca.

Agents for Taco Bell as well as Panera Bread have made inquires at Manteca’s city hall about potentially locating in Manteca. Taco Bell inquired about possibly locating at Daniels Street at Airport Way near McDonald’s.

If that happens, it would become Manteca’s third Taco Bell.

Panera Bread is toying with the idea of locating near the McDonald’s on East Yosemite Avenue. Panera Bread offers breakfast items, soups, salads, pasta, fresh baked breads, pastries, sweets, and other items.

While neither is a certainty, it does underscore the fact the economy is on the move.

Popeye’s Chicken is expected to open in the coming month when work is done on their store complete with drive-thru window in front of the West Yosemite Avenue SaveMart.