STRATEGIC PARTNERS
February 1, 2019
Taco Bell said its Irvine headquarter, and its first store that was moved there Nov. 19, are both staying put. The 53-year-old Downey, California original location was saved from the wrecking ball and moved to headquarters in Irvine late last year. The brand said it will now go forward with plans for that original QSR that last served in the 1980s, though the brand would not disclose details of those plans yet.
But it did say that its headquarters will remain on Glen Bell Way fat least for 11 more years, thanks to a signed lease extension to 2030.
"As a brand with Southern California in our DNA, we're excited to remain in Irvine and continue to grow where we have deep roots," Taco Bell Chief People Officer Frank Tucker, said in the release. "The unrivaled talent and culture at our Restaurant Support Center makes this a great place to work and will take Taco Bell to new heights right where we started."
The headquarters have been in Irvine for more than 40 years and the lease extension also means founder, Glen Bell's initial location will continue to move forward with plans the brand said it would share later this year. The five-story, 180,000-square-foot HQ building is home base for more than 800 corporate and contracted employees. It also houses onsite childcare, as well as a dining center, salon, full gym with fitness classes, game room, dry cleaning and car wash services as well as a tasting panel for employees to test new products. The tasting panel is part of the larger Test Kitchen, where all of the Taco Bell innovation happens.
The company hosts unique cultural events year-round, including recess at work, annual Halloween celebration, and an employee art show benefiting the Taco Bell Foundation, as well as continuous leadership programs for employees. It was named one of the "Top 10 Most Innovative Brands in the World" by magazine, Fast Company.
