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Taco Bell's Recipe for Restless Creativity

Taco Bell's Recipe for Restless Creativity

By Kelly McCulloch, Global Chief People & Transformation Officer

There is a fiery spirit that runs deep at Taco Bell. It’s a powerful force that fuels our people - and our fans - to live out their passions. To pursue the impossible. To dream bolder. We call that spirit Restless Creativity. I'm Kelly McCulloch, Global Chief People & Transformation Officer. Join me as I collect the recipes on what keeps people restlessly creative. This podcast is sponsored by Taco Bell Corp.
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EP 5: Taco Bell’s Former CEO, Greg Creed, Reflects on How to Build an Ownable Company Culture that Inspires Innovation

Taco Bell's Recipe for Restless CreativityAug 18, 2021

00:00
26:26
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
Feb 14, 202417:13
EP 29: Mark King Passes the Torch to Kelly McCulloch as the New Podcast Host and Sean Tresvant as Taco Bell’s new CEO

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.

Jan 05, 202426:10
EP 28: Life Lessons a 17-year-old Learned Biking over 20,000 miles from Alaska to Argentina
Nov 30, 202324:47
EP 27: The Story Behind the Liberation of Taco Tuesday with Taylor Montgomery and Amy Durini
Oct 31, 202327:32
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

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.

Oct 12, 202324:21
EP 25: How Taco Bell Continues its Good Growth with Managing Director of North America, Scott Mezvinsky
Aug 22, 202322:11
EP 24: Taco Bell’s Investment in Team Members who are the Face of the Brand with Ricardo Gonzalez AKA It’s a Living

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.

Jul 31, 202318:36
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

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.

Jun 22, 202322:08
EP 22: Love in the Metaverse: Taco Bell's First Virtual Wedding and Interview with Sheel Mohnot and Amruta Godbole

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.

May 29, 202326:54
EP 21: How Winning a Taco Bell Cooking Competition Brought Team Member Amy Wargo to Hawaii

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.

May 01, 202316:29
EP 20: The Evolution of Equity, Inclusion and Belonging in the Workplace

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.

Jan 11, 202327:15
EP 19: A Lifelong Commitment To Live Más With Mike Grams, Taco Bell President and Global COO

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.

Nov 21, 202225:07
EP 18: Making a Habit of Restless Creativity with Russ Bendel, CEO of The Habit Burger Grill

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.

Oct 31, 202226:34
EP 17: A Conversation on Leadership with David Novak

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.

Oct 05, 202230:37
EP 16: Building the Future of Taco Bell with Chuck Gladney, Head of Global Design and Architecture

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.

Aug 31, 202224:12
EP 15: Taco Bell’s Cultural Evolution by Embedding Equity, Inclusion and Belonging, with Bimma Williams

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.

Aug 12, 202228:10
EP 14: How the Taco Bell Foundation Educates and Inspires Future Leaders

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.

Jun 30, 202220:46
EP 13: The Return of the Mexican Pizza!
Apr 29, 202221:53
EP 12: Taco Bell’s 60th Anniversary, A Conversation with Global Chief Brand Officer, Sean Tresvant
Mar 21, 202221:24
EP 11: A Taco Bell Love Story
Mar 01, 202228:53
EP 10: Taco Bell’s Drive to Become the Top Franchise in the World

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.

Feb 04, 202225:25
EP 9: How The Playbook’s David Meltzer Wants to Inspire and Positively Impact 1 Billion People
Dec 16, 202108:57
EP 8: Putting People First at Taco Bell From One Generation to the Next

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.

Nov 30, 202132:01
EP 7: A Conversation with Guy Raz, Host of How I Built This

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...

Oct 29, 202132:50
EP 6: Disruptive Sustainability
Sep 08, 202123:32
EP 5: Taco Bell’s Former CEO, Greg Creed, Reflects on How to Build an Ownable Company Culture that Inspires Innovation
Aug 18, 202126:26
EP 4: How Taco Bell Is Showing That Creativity Can Be A Part Of Anyone’s Job

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.

Jun 10, 202132:58
EP 3: Graduating College During a Pandemic: One Scholar's Story of Passion, Purpose and Film-making
May 10, 202126:17
EP 2: The Mind Behind the Nacho Fries, Quesalupa and More…

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.

Apr 07, 202123:50
EP 1: The Extraordinary Story Behind a Family of Taco Bell Franchise Owners

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.

Mar 03, 202120:00
Recipe for Restless Creativity Teaser Trailer

Recipe for Restless Creativity Teaser Trailer

Coming Soon...

Feb 13, 202100:30