Author: christopher
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Celebrating 10 Years at DDO with AC Lilia Narvaez: What a Ride!
For Area Coach (AC) Lilia Narvaez, a career with Taco Bell has always been about more than serving great food – it’s about developing people, embracing growth and building relationships that last. After more than three decades with Taco Bell, Lilia continues to make an impact by helping the next generation of leaders find a…
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Learning to Lead with Purpose: Yvette Ramirez Experiences theLEAP
For Yvette Ramirez, leadership is all about people. As an Area Coach (AC) with over 11 years at Taco Bell, Yvette has had plenty of opportunities to grow as a leader with us here at Desert de Oro Foods (DDO). Now, she’s taking that growth to the next level through Taco Bell’s theLEAP program, a…
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DDO’s New England Team Celebrates a Summer of Success
For the New England team at Desert de Oro Foods (DDO), summer is a time to celebrate. Rather than hosting a traditional holiday party during a season when unpredictable weather can make plans challenging, the team gathers during the summer to recognize achievements and celebrate the people who make them possible. This year, team members…
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A Loyal Lesa: Reflections From Three Decades at DDO
In August 2025, we interviewed Payroll Director Lesa Hummel about her impressive 30 years with Desert de Oro Foods (DDO). Lesa is DDO’s longest tenured employee aside from our company founders! We only had 13 Taco Bells when she joined the team. The four-time grandma says this makes her feel a little old. We say…
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Avery & Dylan Edwards are Going Places!
Meet Avery and Dylan Edwards: siblings, Taco Bell team members (at the same location in San Antonio, TX) and Mormon missionaries. We caught wind of Avery’s pending departure from our Culebra Road Taco Bell following her graduation from high school and were instantly curious to learn more. The Edwards are members of The Church of…
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Catching Up with Corey: Ten Years with DDO
When Corey Harris heard we had an Area Coach (AC) opening out in New England, where we bought 30-plus restaurants in 2022, it definitely piqued his interest. From the minute he was first hired 10 years ago, his goal was always to move up wherever he landed. At the time of our New England acquisition,…
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Area 7 Celebrates the Guests Who Make it All Possible
At Desert de Oro Foods (DDO), our guests are at the heart of everything we do. For Area 7 in Northwest Arizona, that mission inspired a special Guest Appreciation Day designed to give back to the customers who show up to our Taco Bells every day. Led by Area Coach (AC) Nina Atkins, the event…
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Up Next for John Rose: DDO Signs Off on a Move, not a Farewell!
It didn’t take much convincing to get us to throw a sweet surprise sendoff for ice cream lover John Rose, who’s been our lease management guy for six years. Midsummer, we threw John his very own ice cream social. John has been working closely with Desert de Oro Foods (DDO) leadership on how best to…
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Jesse Packer Rises to New Level of Leadership
After four years (and counting) with Desert de Oro Foods (DDO), training guru Jesse Packer takes on an upgraded role as Senior Region Training Coach (RTC). Moving up from RTC of Region 3, we share in Jesse’s excitement with this promotion announcement! In his previous position, Jesse already made a meaningful impact on our restaurants,…
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Thousand Oaks KFC/Taco Bell Team Surprises Guests with Goodies
A recent guest appreciation day at our multi-brand KFC/Taco Bell (KT) location on Thousand Oaks Drive in San Antonio, TX gave guests and team members alike some feel-good vibes. It served as a reminder that an extra touch of attention doesn’t take a lot – but it sure gives a lot! Led by Restaurant General…