Taco Bell expands education benefits, citing improved employee retention

Taco Bell is increasing its investment in its 250,000-plus team members following 20 consecutive quarters of same-store sales growth. The company reports that its people-focused investments are yielding results, with team member retention in company-owned restaurants improving by 17% year-over-year in 2025 and restaurant general manager vacancy reducing by 27%, according to a press release.

Expanded "Tacos and Tuition" Program

The company's "Tacos and Tuition" education benefit is now extended to employees at all levels at participating franchise locations through a new partnership with InStride. Previously, the benefit was only available to company-owned restaurant Team Members and corporate employees.

• Participating Team Members can access over 3,000 online programs and courses, from ESL and GED programs to bachelor's and master's degrees, with no up-front out-of-pocket costs.
• Since launching the expanded program, over 1,100 stores have enrolled.
• The company states the program has driven 73% retention on the front line, and enrolled managers are seeing 1.5x higher retention rates.

Additional Team Member Initiatives

Taco Bell also highlighted other ongoing initiatives:

• the Leap: A new six-month leadership development program for high-performing restaurant general managers and area coaches, with over 150 leaders currently enrolled.
• Live Más Scholarship: The Taco Bell Foundation awarded a record $14 million in scholarships this year to over 1,000 students, including Team Members, bringing the total awards to nearly $64 million since the program's inception.

Leadership and Retention

The company emphasizes internal promotion and retention as key priorities.

• 67% of restaurant leadership roles at company-owned restaurants in 2025 were filled through internal promotion.
• Top-performing Team Members are promoted to their next role in under a year on average.
• Nearly 25% of company-owned restaurant General Managers have been with the brand for over 15 years, with the average general manager serving a 10-plus year tenure.

Jamie Harrison, global chief people and culture officer at Taco Bell, commented on the investment: "I started my career on the frontline of restaurants, and I've seen firsthand how the right support can open doors that once felt out of reach. No matter how long a Team Member is with us, we want their time at Taco Bell to be meaningful. We're proud to invest in their future, regardless of where their path takes them."