What is the maximum number of taco salad shells that should be placed in a display pan?

The correct answer, which indicates that a maximum of seven taco salad shells should be placed in a display pan, reflects standard operational practices designed to optimize food presentation and freshness.

In a busy fast-food environment like Taco Bell, presenting the food attractively while maintaining quality is crucial. Placing seven shells allows for sufficient display space, ensuring that customers can easily view the product without overcrowding. This presentation can entice customers and potentially increase sales.

Moreover, this limit helps in maintaining the integrity of the shells. If too many are stacked together, they may become damaged or stale more quickly due to limited airflow and exposure. By setting the maximum at seven, Taco Bell ensures that each shell remains in optimal condition for customer satisfaction.

In the context of the other options, setting the number lower than seven could lead to inadequate display and may not utilize the available space effectively, whereas placing more than seven could compromise quality and presentation. Hence, seven is a well-balanced choice for the maximum number of taco salad shells in a display pan.