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TACO BELL HISTORY

TACO BELL HISTORY

 

1950 - 1960

1951

Glen Bell, inspired by friends and neighbors at Mitla Cafe, creates his own version of the Crunchy Taco.

1954

Before Glen Bell created Taco Bell, he started Bell's Drive-In and Taco Tia in the San Bernardino area.

1962

Glen Bell opens his first Taco Bell restaurant in Downey, CA, serving what his customers called "Tay-Kohs."

1964

Retired L.A. policemen, Kermit Becky, becomes Taco Bell's first franchisee, opening a restaurant in Torrance, CA.

1967

Taco Bell's 100th restaurant opens at 400 South Brookhurst in Anaheim.

 
 

1970 - 1980

1970

Taco Bell goes public with a total of 325 restaurants.

1978

Glen sold 868 Taco Bell restaurants to PepsiCo Inc., and became PepsiCo shareholder.

 
 

1980 - 1990

1984

Taco Bell introduces Taco Salad and Taco BellGrande.

1989

Taco Bell pioneers the concept of linking fast-food marketing promotions with major movie blockbusters. Its "Batman" promotion is a huge success, placing Taco Bell in the spotlight.

 
 

1990 - 2000

1990

Taco Bell launches the new 59¢-79¢-99¢ value initiative.

1991

Taco Bell launches new Express business to serve hungry people on-the-go.

1992

The Taco Bell foundation unveils the TEENsupreme program partnering with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

1995

Taco Bell sponsors the first ESPN X Games.

1997

As the new parent of Taco Bell, Tricon declares its independence from the PepsiCo conglomerate.

1998

Gorditas burst onto the fast-food scene and become a nationwide sensation.

 
 

2000-2010

2001

Taco Bell promises a free taco to everyone in the U.S. if the falling space station MIR hits the floating Taco Bell target.

2002

Taco Bell foundation donations hit $10 million mark. Donations support more than 500,000 at-risk teens participating in the TEENSupreme program.

2004

Taco Bell introduces the Mountain Dew BAJA BLAST!

2005

The Crunchwrap Supreme becomes Taco Bell's most successful product introduction, and becomes a permanent menu addition in January 2006.

 
 

2010 - Present

2010

The new Tacobell.com site launches! From food to jobs to store locations, everything you want to know about Taco Bell is now just a click away! We mourn the loss of our founder, Glen Bell. One of our countrys greatest entrepreneurs and innovators, his legacy lives on in our people and our brand.

2012

Taco Bell helicopters 10,000 Doritos Locos Tacos to the remote town of Bethel, Alaska.

2014

Launched Taco Bell Mobile Ordering and Payment App

2015

Taco Bell delivery arrives to select markets across the country. The new Tacobell.com is born—including desktop ordering and The Feed.

To save it from demolition, Taco Bell moved its original restaurant, Numero Uno, from Downey, CA to the Irvine headquarters.

2016

In February, Taco Bell launched the Quesalupa - a shell stuffed with melted pepper jack cheese.

The Taco Bell Foundation launched the Live Más Scholarship, a program aimed at empowering the nation’s next generation of dreamers, innovators and creators.

2017

Wedding Bells are ringing as Taco Bell begins hosting weddings at the Las Vegas Cantina.

Taco Bell released its first-ever retail collaboration, Forever 21 x Taco Bell. The men’s collection completely sold out online within the first day.

2018

Taco Bell launched Nacho Fries, the most successful product launch in the company’s history.

Taco Bell 2032 - In honor of the return of Nacho Fries and the 25th Anniversary of Demolition Man, Taco Bell brought Taco Bell 2032 to life in a futuristic pop up dining experience at Comic Con San Diego.