It’s a big week for us here at Taco Bell. We’re getting ready to launch something deliciously unique that we’ve been concocting for months behind the scenes. But no, it’s not a new menu mashup. It’s our own business school.
You read that right.
Restaurant leaders always amaze us with their big dreams, so we’ve crafted a first-of-its-kind pilot training program that will teach them critical leadership skills and the business of franchising. That way, they can climb the ladder and maybe even own their own Taco Bell restaurant one day.
A little context: Taco Bell has a deep franchise operating system. Many people don’t actually know if their local Taco Bell is owned by us here at corporate or a franchise organization (although we are all one big family). Franchisees have a fancy title, but in layman’s terms, they’re business owners.
We have over 200 franchise organizations, and our business is on a continued growth trajectory in this 60th year of ours. That’s why we want to make the franchising career path more known — and much more accessible. It shouldn’t be as mysterious and intimidating as it is across the industry! And who better to put onto this path than those who have actually worked in our restaurants?
Think of our Business School like a master class for breaking into the world of franchise ownership. It’ll be intense (i.e., a packed curriculum in only six weeks), but our students will gain insights into a viable and lucrative career option. Some program grads may decide that franchising isn’t really for them, and that’s quite alright.
We’ve been working diligently to break stereotypes and redefine what it means to work in quick service. Sure, a fast food gig can be a temporary side hustle, but it can also be a long-term career. Franchise ownership is a fruitful, albeit challenging, way to be a business leader. I’m so excited to invest in our future leaders as they create their own business in lockstep with a brand they love. Maybe by the time we’re celebrating our 70th anniversary, we’ll be able to praise the many franchisees who are Taco Bell Business School grads.
