Taco Bell's Recipe for Restless Creativity
By Kelly McCulloch, Global Chief People & Transformation Officer
Taco Bell's Recipe for Restless CreativityOct 12, 2023
EP 30: Taco Bell’s Cantina Chicken Menu and Other Upcoming Innovations with New Podcast Host Kelly McCulloch and Global Chief Food Innovation Officer Liz Matthews
It’s no secret Taco Bell is known for twists on food classics. From tacos to burritos to breakfast, we’re always looking for new ways to provide fans with a menu they want to keep coming back to. Our latest innovation? The Cantina Chicken Menu.
In Kelly’s first episode as podcast host, she’ll sit down with Liz Matthews, Global Chief Food Innovation Officer, to dive into the spiciest details of this new menu, outline what fans can expect in the months to come and share insights from leading the Food Innovation Team.
Watch Live Más Live 2024 here.
Cantina Chicken Menu will be available at participating U.S. Taco Bell locations, while supplies last.
EP 29: Mark King Passes the Torch to Kelly McCulloch as the New Podcast Host and Sean Tresvant as Taco Bell’s new CEO
2024 starts a new chapter in the book of Taco Bell. As we say ‘see you later’ to Mark King, we eagerly welcome Sean Tresvant as Taco Bell’s new CEO effective January 1st. But that's not all this chapter holds – Kelly McCulloch, Taco Bell's Global Chief People & Transformation Officer, will carry on the restlessly creative spirit as the new host of the podcast.
In this episode, Mark sits down for the last time as host. He is joined by both Sean and Kelly, as they look towards what 2024 holds.
EP 28: Life Lessons a 17-year-old Learned Biking over 20,000 miles from Alaska to Argentina
For many 17-year-olds, the month of August is spent preparing for their freshmen year of college. However, while his peers were packing up the car with dorm room must-haves, Long Beach native and cyclist Liam Garner strapped a tent to his mountain bike and began his bike ride from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska to Ushuaia, Argentina. 527 days and 20,000 miles later, he reached his destination.
On the latest episode of Recipe for Restless Creativity, Mark King is joined by Liam as the two discuss the details of his impressive journey, his grit and the life lessons he learned over those 527 days.
Continue following Liam’s journey on his Instagram and Tik Tok.
Liam’s opinions and story are his own and anyone interested in doing something similar should do all of their own research in advance and follow all bicycle and travel safety rules and best practices.
Photos and Videos courtesy of Liam Garner.
EP 27: The Story Behind the Liberation of Taco Tuesday with Taylor Montgomery and Amy Durini
When tacos win, we all win. It’s a mentality we’ve fully embraced at Taco Bell in appreciation and celebration of a food with a unique cultural cachet and ability to bring people together. Whether made by us, another brand or your favorite local restaurant. Yet the ubiquitous phrase “Taco Tuesday” hasbeen a registered trademark for decades. For the benefit of all taco shops nationwide, Taco Bell filed legal petitions to cancel the registrations, and they worked!
On the latest episode of Recipe for Restless Creativity, Mark is joined by Taylor Montgomery, U.S. Chief Marketing Officer, and Amy Durini, International Chief Marketing Officer. Taylor, Amy and Mark will discuss details of how the liberation came to be, the role of Taco Bell and the impact it has had—and will continue having.
Learn more here.
EP 26: Taco Bell’s Dietitian Marissa Thiry talks about the Journey to Create a Menu that Fits a Wide Variety of Lifestyles Including Vegetarian and Vegan
Taco Bell is known for bringing innovative, craveable Mexican-inspired food to the masses. What might not be known is how much goes on behind the scenes to come up with our food. The brand is on a journey to create a menu that fits a wide variety of lifestyles and features simple but high-quality ingredients that leave our fans wanting more.
On this episode of Recipe for Restless Creativity, Mark is joined by Marissa Thiry, the Senior Associate Manager of Global Nutrition & Sustainability at Taco Bell, who is responsible for coming up with some of your favorite menu items. Marissa and Mark will pull the curtain back on Taco Bell’s kitchen, and the important work our Registered Dietitians are doing to bring more choices to our fans.
Taco Bell’s vegan and vegetarian ingredients are certified by the American Vegetarian Association. Taco Bell defines “vegetarian” as lacto-ovo, allowing consumption of dairy and eggs but not animal byproducts. Taco Bell defines “vegan” as containing no animal ingredients. It’s important to note, however, that in some restaurants we use the same frying oil to prepare menu items that may or may not contain animal ingredients. Vegan, vegetarian, and animal ingredients are handled in common and cross-contact may occur, which may not be acceptable to certain types of vegetarian or vegan diets. Neither Taco Bell, our employees, our franchisees or the AVA assume any responsibility for such cross-contact. For allergen and additional nutritional information, visit www.tacobell.com. We prepare and serve products containing egg, milk, soy, wheat or other allergens. Our products are prepared on shared equipment and in the same kitchen area and we cannot guarantee that cross contact with allergens will not occur.
EP 25: How Taco Bell Continues its Good Growth with Managing Director of North America, Scott Mezvinsky
Taco Bell understands that each brand milestone brings an opportunity to do better—for everyone involved. From creating new jobs to strengthening communities, Taco Bell sees the brand’s accession as an ever-growing benefit to so many people. And at the front of this charge is Scott Mezvinsky, the current Managing Director of North America for Taco Bell.
On the latest episode of Recipe for Restless Creativity, Mark King will sit down with Scott. The two will discuss Scott’s vast background in the QSR space, his responsibilities in his role along with his unique leadership style that helps Taco Bell continue its good growth.
About Taco Bell Corp.
For more information about Taco Bell, visit our website at www.TacoBell.com our Newsroom at www.TacoBell.com/news or www.TacoBell.com/popular-links. You can also stay up to date on all things Taco Bell by following us on LinkedIn, TikTok, Taco Bell’s Twitter, Taco Bell News’ Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and subscribing to our YouTube channel.
EP 24: Taco Bell’s Investment in Team Members who are the Face of the Brand with Ricardo Gonzalez AKA It’s a Living
A Taco Bell mash-up is not unexpected. From Doritos® Locos Tacos to Milk Bar, these collaborations have become a staple of the brand. However, the secret sauce that drives these mash-ups and Taco Bell as a brand is our team members. That’s why Taco Bell announced it is teaming up with Brooklyn-based artist Ricardo Gonzalez, aka “It’s a Living,” to introduce exclusive team member merch honoring the brand’s people-oriented culture.
In this episode, Kelly and Ricardo will dive into Taco Bell's focus on its people and why the company prioritizes investing in partnerships and cultural currency that evoke a sense of pride among team members, who are truly the face of the brand.
EP 23: What Happens When You Eat Nothing but Taco Bell for 30 Days? Taco Bell Enthusiast Sam Reid Documents His Progress and Shares the Journey
Everyone is a fan of Taco Bell, it’s just a fact. But some fans bring their love of the brand to the next level. We like to call them our super fans. And if anyone is a Taco Bell super fan, it’s Sam Reid. Self-proclaimed Taco Bell enthusiast, amateur trick shot artist and former Olympic hopeful, Sam undertook the challenge of eating nothing but Taco Bell for 30 days and documenting his progress on his YouTube channel in a short documentary called, I Ate Nothing But Taco Bell for 30 Days to Improve My Health.
In this episode of Recipe for Restless Creativity, Mark and Sam sit down to discuss the love they both share for the brand, Sam’s learnings from his 30-day feast and so much more. This episode will be a Taco Bell love fest, something fit for only a true Taco Bell fan.
Watch the video version here!
The information in this podcast is being presented for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Please speak to your doctor before starting any diet. Taco Bell did not compensate Sam in any way for creating the documentary and has not independently verified or confirmed Sam’s findings. His experience is his own and not representative of typical results.
EP 22: Love in the Metaverse: Taco Bell's First Virtual Wedding and Interview with Sheel Mohnot and Amruta Godbole
This year, Taco Bell broadened its stakes in love. On February 24th, 2023, Taco Bell held its very first metaverse wedding, where lifelong Taco Bell fans Sheel Mohnot and Amruta Godbole said “I do” in a wedding ceremony in Decentraland.
Winning out over 300 couples, Sheel and Amruta give Taco Bell CEO Mark King the inside scoop on how they worked closely with Taco Bell to plan their wedding and will relive moments from their happily ever after.
Watch Mark, Sheel and Amruta get interviewed inside the metaverse here.
EP 21: How Winning a Taco Bell Cooking Competition Brought Team Member Amy Wargo to Hawaii
At Taco Bell, living más isn’t just for our fans. It’s for our Team Members too, and we strive endlessly to create a culture that redefines what it means to work in a quick service restaurant. We set standards higher than the rest and reward passionate innovators with unconventional opportunities that ignite their inspiration, in and out of the workplace.
Taco Bell Chief People Officer Kelly McCulloch will host the latest episode live from Golden Bell in Hawaii. Golden Bell happens every year to honor the best of the best General Managers and Area Coaches for being the top 100+ in the nation. This year, they were joined by this episode's guest, Amy Wargo. As a Team Member in a corporate restaurant, Amy has taken advantage of multiple Taco Bell programs and is making the most of her craveable career journey. Kelly sat with Amy in Hawaii to discuss her Taco Bell journey and how she Lives Más day-in and day-out.
Watch Menu Blast, the cooking competition that Amy took part in here.
EP 20: The Evolution of Equity, Inclusion and Belonging in the Workplace
To kickoff 2023, Mark is joined by Katrina “KT” Thornton, Taco Bell’s first-ever Chief Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Officer, for the 20th episode of Recipe for Restless Creativity. For KT, EI&B is not about check marks. It’s about marking a new era and making impact known through results. In this episode, KT and Mark will dive into conversations about what that means for Taco Bell as we gear up to take on 2023 and beyond.
EP 19: A Lifelong Commitment To Live Más With Mike Grams, Taco Bell President and Global COO
On the November episode of Restless Creativity, Mark is joined by Mike Grams, Taco Bell President and Global COO. Mike got his start at Taco Bell as an Assistant General Manager in Detroit in 1992 and has been with the brand for 30 years. As the President and Global COO, Mike is all about ‘what’s next’ inside and outside of the field. Mike and Mark will not only discuss Mike's lifelong commitment to Taco Bell but how he ensures the best customer experience, people development and brand standards to deliver an A+ experience in every restaurant.
EP 18: Making a Habit of Restless Creativity with Russ Bendel, CEO of The Habit Burger Grill
At Taco Bell, we believe that smart partnerships are a key to success and inspiration. On this episode of Recipe for Restless Creativity, Mark King sits down with Russ Bendel, CEO of The Habit Burger Grill, to talk about the partnership between Taco Bell and Habit, Habit’s recent move to Yum! Brands, the learnings that have come with that move and, of course, how the two stay inspired to keep their brands motivated everyday.
EP 17: A Conversation on Leadership with David Novak
At Taco Bell, we believe that staying restlessly creative — both personally and professionally — is the key to success. In this episode, Mark sits down with David Novak, Co-Founder and retired Chairman and CEO of Yum! Brands. The two will discuss David’s time with Yum! Brands as well as his new book Take Charge of You: How Self-Coaching Can Transform Your Life and Career. David will share the inspiration behind his new book, some of its highlights and even how his philosophy has influenced Taco Bell today.
EP 16: Building the Future of Taco Bell with Chuck Gladney, Head of Global Design and Architecture
In the past three years, Taco Bell has accelerated how, where and why it brings new experiences to its team members and fans in restaurants around the world. In the U.S., Go Mobile and Taco Bell Defy exemplify restaurant innovation not only for the brand, but also for the industry as a whole. Taco Bell continues to monitor key learnings and insights to leverage elements of these new formats and elevate experiences into existing and future builds.
To dive deeper into what’s next for Taco Bell development, Mark King sits down with Chuck Gladney, Head of Global Design and Architecture at Taco Bell. Chuck and Mark will be discussing Taco Bell’s digital solutions, its expansion of the Cantina concept and the positioning of each store asset as a brand billboard.
EP 15: Taco Bell’s Cultural Evolution by Embedding Equity, Inclusion and Belonging, with Bimma Williams
Taco Bell has jump-started its evolution to elevate its company culture by embedding Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (EI&B) into the way its teams lead and do business. To help drive cultural and systemic change in the workplace, Taco Bell hosted an Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Immersion event earlier this year. This event helped the organization actualize EI&B to life in everyday moments, following its continuing refinement of its EI&B strategy.
As part of this event’s itinerary, Mark King sat down with Bimma Williams, host of Claima Stories, to discuss how organizations can rally teams to personally lead and do business with an EI&B mindset.
EP 14: How the Taco Bell Foundation Educates and Inspires Future Leaders
There are a lot of things that set Taco Bell apart from its competitors. Our brand marketing ingenuity, our food innovation, our people and of course, our drive for impactful purpose. And in our mission to fuel good, we have a secret weapon: our partnership with the Taco Bell Foundation. Since 1992, the Taco Bell Foundation has helped America’s young people follow their dreams and reach their full potential. In this episode, Mark King sits down with Jennifer (Jen) Bradbury, the Executive Director of the Taco Bell Foundation to dive into how the Taco Bell Foundation has championed young people for the past 30 years and where the next 30 years will take them.
EP 13: The Return of the Mexican Pizza!
Though there are many fan-favorite items at Taco Bell, no other item has had such passion as the Mexican Pizza. From its 1985 debut on menus, the Mexican Pizza has created a loyal cult following. So, after its short hiatus in 2020 resulting in an uproar from fans, Taco Bell is thrilled to bring the Mexican Pizza back to menus on May 19.
In this episode, Mark is joined by Liz Matthews, Taco Bell’s Chief Food Innovation Officer. The two will take us behind the scenes and into the kitchen as they discuss what the return of this cult favorite means to the brand and its menu.
About Taco Bell Corp.
For more information about Taco Bell, visit our website at www.TacoBell.com/news or at www.TacoBell.com/popular-links. You can also stay up to date on all things Taco Bell by following us on Facebook, Instagram, Taco Bell’s Twitter, Taco Bell News’ Twitter, TikTok and subscribing to our YouTube channel. For updates on how Taco Bell is navigating COVID-19, click here.
EP 12: Taco Bell’s 60th Anniversary, A Conversation with Global Chief Brand Officer, Sean Tresvant
2022 marks 60 years since the first Taco Bell Restaurant opened its doors in Downey, California. In these past 60 years, Taco Bell has shown its commitment to living más and inspiring others to do the same. While much has changed over the years, change is something that we embrace at Taco Bell and something that consumers have come to expect and love about the brand.
In this episode, Mark is joined by the new Global Chief Brand Officer, Sean Tresvant to discuss what it means to be at the helm of a 60 year brand and the opportunities that come with celebrating its heritage and leading into the future. The two will discuss how the brand has stayed restlessly creative these past 60 years, chasing every challenge, disrupting the industry and fueling fan passions in the pursuit of Living Más. Mark and Sean will chat about not only how Taco Bell is celebrating this milestone, but also what this means for the brand, our people, our food and our communities.
About Taco Bell Corp.
For more information about Taco Bell, visit our website at www.TacoBell.com/news or at www.TacoBell.com/popular-links. You can also stay up to date on all things Taco Bell by following us on Facebook, Instagram, Taco Bell’s Twitter, Taco Bell News’ Twitter, TikTok and subscribing to our YouTube channel.
EP 11: A Taco Bell Love Story
Girl meets boy. Boy meets girl. Boy and girl, meet Taco Bell. In light of February being Valentine’s Day month, episode 11 will tell the love story of Enrique and Adriana, two Taco Bell employees who met as Taco Bell team members, rose in the ranks at the restaurant, fell in love, and together followed their dream to work at Taco Bell’s headquarters. This episode will not only show their commitment to one another but also to Taco Bell. They both started their careers with the company and have stayed, making Taco Bell their other one and only.
Franchisees are independent business owners who set their own wage and benefits programs that can vary among franchisees.
About Taco Bell Corp.
For more information about Taco Bell, visit our website at www.TacoBell.com/news or at www.TacoBell.com/popular-links. You can also stay up to date on all things Taco Bell by following us on Facebook, Instagram, Taco Bell’s Twitter, Taco Bell News’ Twitter, TikTok and subscribing to our YouTube channel.
EP 10: Taco Bell’s Drive to Become the Top Franchise in the World
Taco Bell started the year off strong by being named Entrepreneur Magazine's Top Franchise for the second year in a row. In Episode 10, Mark sits down with Taco Bell franchisees Tina Reagan and SG Ellison to discuss what it takes to be on top. The group will dive into the secrets of Taco Bell and how the relationship between Taco Bell HQ and franchisees is the key to redefining the QSR industry, with continued innovations in digital, restaurant development, food and bigger picture sustainability.
EP 9: How The Playbook’s David Meltzer Wants to Inspire and Positively Impact 1 Billion People
For the final episode of the year, Mark chats with The Playbook’s David Meltzer about the power of happiness and how he plans to inspire and positively impact 1 billion people. Mark was also featured on a recent episode of The Playbook that you can listen to here.
EP 8: Putting People First at Taco Bell From One Generation to the Next
In the latest episode of the podcast, Mark will continue to focus on his (and Taco Bell’s) devotion to People — chatting with Taco Bell franchisees Farzin and Imaan. The father and son duo share their story, experiences and more, and remind us all of what it means to live with Restless Creativity from generation to generation.
EP 7: A Conversation with Guy Raz, Host of How I Built This
In this episode, Taco Bell CEO Mark King sits down with Guy Raz, former journalist, renowned author, CEO of Built-It Productions and the creative force behind the How I Built This podcast. Their conversation is an adventure through Restless Creativity, with some unexpected stops along the way. The two discuss why business stories make the best dramas, how curiosity wins over intelligence, the brilliance of “stupid” ideas, and much more...
EP 6: Disruptive Sustainability
Helping to take care of the planet is one thing. Doing it in a disruptive and truly Taco Bell way, is another.
Taco Bell aims to “Live Más” in many ways, from offering food for all lifestyles to creating leaders for our communities inside and out of our restaurants. But we also work to do our part in taking care of our planet and leaving a lighter footprint on the communities around us. In this episode, Mark King will chat with Tom Szaky, the CEO of fellow disruptive brand TerraCycle®.
They dig into TerraCycle’s® unique approach to solving some of the world’s most pressing problems; Taco Bell’s commitment to its Purpose pillar of Planet; and the excitement of their new US pilot partnership as a creative solution rooted in restless creativity.
To learn more about the Taco Bell Sauce Packet recycling program, visit https://www.tacobell.com/terracycle.
EP 5: Taco Bell’s Former CEO, Greg Creed, Reflects on How to Build an Ownable Company Culture that Inspires Innovation
At Taco Bell, we believe that part of living más is restlessly continuing to push the boundaries in everything we do. Sometimes that means taking a moment to appreciate all the things we have already accomplished in our history as a brand in order to continue being bolder in the future. In today's episode, CEO Mark King chats with former CEO of Taco Bell and Yum! Brands Greg Creed to discuss Greg's new book, how Taco Bell has made a memorable impact in the quick service restaurant world throughout the years, the importance of continually building a unique and ownable company culture that inspires innovation and, most excitingly, the "comeback" of our breakfast menu which has a special place in both of these CEOs hearts (and stomachs).
Check out Greg’s new book R.E.D. Marketing, co-authored with Chief Marketing Office of Collider Ken Muench, here or available at select book retailers.
EP 4: How Taco Bell Is Showing That Creativity Can Be A Part Of Anyone’s Job
We often hear leaders say that “good ideas come from everyone.” But putting that idea into practice in the workplace can be…complicated. This is the story of how Taco Bell decided it was time to just go for it. They launched the Taco Bell Internal Incubator - a program designed to harness the ingenuity of corporate employees. Those who opt in learn unique creative-thinking techniques and then go after a pressing business challenge.
Was it a complete disaster? A smashing success? Find out in this episode, where CEO Mark King talks with both Natasha Gaffoglio, Senior Manager, Internal Communications, and Lee Kitchen, Independent Company Culture Consultant, about activating Restless Creativity among ALL employees.
EP 3: Graduating College During a Pandemic: One Scholar's Story of Passion, Purpose and Film-making
Taco Bell isn’t just about offering delicious, craveable food for our fans. We also provide millions in scholarships and grants each year through the Taco Bell Foundation, to break down barriers to educate and inspire the next generation of leaders. True to the Taco Bell brand, and the spirit of Restless Creativity, these scholarships have helped hundreds of young students and Taco Bell team members achieve their boldest ambitions and create good in the world.
Today, Mark talks to Nash, a two-time Live Más Scholar, who created an impressive documentary about the impact of COVID on job prospects for recent graduates that earned him first place at the Hearst Journalism Awards and in the “Creativity During COVID” category from the White House News Associations’ 2021 student contest. He is a member of the Southeastern Asian Students Association and the Asian American Students Association at his school, and is participating in a fellowship for Asian American documentary filmmakers based in the US South.
Nash perfectly embodies the spirit of our scholarship program with his creative and honest passion for film-making.
Check out Nash's Documentary here.
EP 2: The Mind Behind the Nacho Fries, Quesalupa and More…
If you were at a party and one of Taco Bell’s executive chefs was there, what would you ask them? In this episode, CEO Mark King chats with Chef Rene from Taco Bell’s Food Innovation Team, about some of those questions. Get an audio glimpse into what happens behind the secured double doors of Taco Bell’s test kitchens, learn the plight of the Quesalupa, and find out how “magic paper” became essential to the perfect toasted cheese.
EP 1: The Extraordinary Story Behind a Family of Taco Bell Franchise Owners
Almost 40 years ago, two teenagers who had never met before walked into the same Taco Bell looking for jobs. What happened after that is an extraordinary story. In this debut episode, Taco Bell CEO Mark King talks to Maria and Guillermo Zavala about their journey from Team Members to Franchise Owners. It’s the kind of story that makes you rethink the power of believing in others, the definition of family, and how unassuming acts of kindness can change people’s lives forever.
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