“John Martin was a visionary pioneer whose leadership helped build Taco Bell into one of the most successful restaurant brands today, and ultimately introduced Mexican-inspired food now loved by millions. When he joined Taco Bell in 1983 as President and Chief Operating Officer, he quickly doubled sales in just three years while expanding Taco Bell’s presence around the globe. His revolutionary ideas are now commonplace across the industry. Under his leadership, the brand modernized restaurants with state-of-the-art technology that improved speed of service, and introduced several industry firsts: free drink refills and a three-tiered value menu to ensure customers never had to compromise on quality and flavor. John’s legacy and growth mindset live on at Taco Bell restaurants across the globe today; he will be truly missed.” – Taco Bell Corp.