![]() |
Glen BellAmerican businessman
Date of Birth: 03.09.1923
Country: ![]() |
Content:
- Glen Bell: The Taco King
- Early Business Ventures
- The Birth of Taco Bell
- The Taco Bell Empire
- Legacy
- Personal Life
Glen Bell: The Taco King
Early Life and Military ServiceGlen Bell Jr., the renowned American businessman, was born in Lynwood, California, in 1923. His childhood was marked by financial hardships, driving him to work at a young age. During World War II, Bell served in the Marine Corps.
Early Business Ventures
After leaving the military in 1946, Bell embarked on various business ventures, including producing adobe bricks and operating a miniature golf course. However, these ventures proved unsuccessful.
The Birth of Taco Bell
In 1948, Bell opened "Bell's Drive In" in San Bernardino, California, a hot dog stand. In 1952, he sold one hot dog stand and opened another that also offered hamburgers. Soon after, Bell added tacos to his menu, selling them for 19 cents each.
The tacos became a hit. In 1954 and 1955, Bell opened three taco stands. He then sold these stands and partnered with a new investor to open four "El Tacos" restaurants in the Long Beach area.
The Taco Bell Empire
Inspired by the success of McDonald's, Bell realized that Mexican food could be a profitable fast-food option. He experimented with different packaging for tacos, ultimately settling on pre-made shells.
In 1962, Bell opened the first Taco Bell restaurant. Two years later, he transformed the business into a franchise. The company grew rapidly, and in 1978, PepsiCo purchased the chain for $125 million.
Legacy
Under PepsiCo's ownership, Taco Bell continued to expand, becoming a global fast-food giant. Glen Bell died in 2010 at the age of 86. His legacy as the inventor of the American taco lives on, with over 2 billion tacos and 1 billion burritos sold annually in Taco Bell restaurants worldwide.
Personal Life
Glen Bell married Dorothy Taylor in 1947, but they divorced in 1953. He remarried and was survived by his wife Martha, two sons, a daughter, four grandchildren, and three sisters.