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Taco Bell appoints new International president, CDO

Melissa Lora has been appointed president of Taco Bell International, and Meredith Sandland has been promoted to a new role as chief development officer.

December 5, 2014

Taco Bell Corp. announced several strategic leadership changes, including the appointment of a new president of Taco Bell International and a new chief development officer.

Melissa Lora, formerly the brand's global chief financial and development officer, has been appointed president of Taco Bell International. She will oversee business outside the U.S. Taco Bell International currently franchises 250 restaurants in 26 countries, and is seeking to add franchises in Europe (UK, Poland), Asia (Korea, Japan and Thailand), Latin America (Chile, Peru) and India.

Lora's former former duties as global chief financial and development officer will transition to two other Taco Bell roles:  CFO Liz Williams will also assume primary responsibility for franchising actions domestically, and Meredith Sandland has been promoted to a new role as chief development officer.

“In addition to our focus on innovation, new daypart expansion and delivering world class operations, another key element to our growth strategy includes focusing on restaurant development both domestically and globally,” said Taco Bell Corp. President Brian Niccol in a company press release. “This year we will open nearly 200 new restaurants in the U.S., a record setting year for the brand.  I’m confident that these changes to our leadership structure will help us make Taco Bell a brand that people champion around the world.”

Domestically, Taco Bell plans to add 2,000 restaurants by 2022, while adding 1,300 restaurants and an additional $2 billion in system sales internationally by 2023.