1954

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

1962

Glen Bell opens his first Taco Bell^® restaurant in Downey, CA, serving what his customers called “Tay-Kohs.”

1964

Retired L.A. policeman, 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

Taco Bell^® goes public with a total of 325 restaurants.

1978

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

1984

Taco Bell^® introduces Taco Salad and Tacos 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

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^® helps sponsor the first ESPN X Games.

1997

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

1998

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

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.

2001

Taco Bell^® unveils a new advertising slogan urging consumers to “Think Outside The Bun.”

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

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 country's great entrepreneurs and innovators, his legacy lives on in our people and our brand.