Author: grapevyne
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The Texas Spark: Meet Greg Jackson
There’s something special about Texas, and even more special about the people who call it home. At Desert de Oro Foods (DDO), we’ve come to recognize a unique energy in our Texas-based team members. They bring passion, pride and purpose into everything they do. One standout? Greg Jackson, KFC Region Director (Region 6). His story
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Second Annual Estrellas de Oro Reward Trip Recap
Our inaugural Estrellas de Oro reward trip in 2024 was so nice, we decided to do it twice! At Desert de Oro Foods (DDO), we’re make rewarding hardworking teams an annual thing. So, what was on the agenda for 2025? More rest, relaxation and recognition! Our top 15% of Taco Bell and KFC Restaurant General
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DDO Replaces Iconic Location: It’s Out with the Old!
It can be hard to say “goodbye.” But in mid-April, we walked away from one of Taco Bell’s last standing mission-style restaurants — coined “Store 31” (Taco Bell’s 31st restaurant built) — to usher in the modern amenities, design and technology desired by today’s guests and team members. Our nostalgic Store 31 has been officially
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Celebrating 2025 KFC Foundation Scholarship Winners at DDO
Congratulations to this year’s KFC Foundation Scholarship winners! Applicants have the opportunity to apply for up to $20,000 in scholarship funds to attend the two- or four-year college, trade school, or graduate school of their choice. We’re so thrilled to have eight DDO team members representing our KFC business so proudly! From nursing, to computer
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Yashica Oliver: The Heart Behind Mattina’s Ristorante
In Kingman, AZ, a unique collection of restaurants called The Fork in the Road, showcases Desert de Oro Foods’ (DDO) commitment to culinary creativity. This group includes a community favorite, Mattina’s Ristorante. At the center of Mattina’s is Executive Chef and General Manager (GM) Yashica Oliver, whose story is as memorable as the dishes she
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Six Scholarship Winners Soar to New Heights
Once a year we get this AWESOME opportunity to celebrate a group of thoughtful, ambitious students setting out to bring their passions to life. This is thanks to the generosity of the Taco Bell Foundation. We’re proud to announce that we have six first-time Live Más Scholarship winners this year from the Desert de Oro
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Fourth Time’s a Charm for Bryce Carroll
If Area Coach (AC) Bryce Carroll looks familiar, it’s probably because he’s no stranger to being featured on our blog. Now he’s back celebrating another promotion — his fourth in the nearly four years he’s worked with us! This role may be his most adventurous yet, because it requires a move from Texas to New
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Dulce Barros is One Sweet RGM!
There’s a connection, a sort of calm familiarity that takes over when meeting Dulcelene “Dulce” Barros, the Restaurant General Manager (RGM) at our Norwood, MA Taco Bell. She’s described as having a “Mona Lisa-type” smile and a twinkle in her eye. It’s hard to imagine now, but Dulce was a self-proclaimed introvert in her early
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Welcome to DDO, Jeana!
We’d like you to meet Jeana Gould, our new Corrigo Administrator. After commuting the last six years from Kingman, AZ to Nevada for her previous employer, this Kingman resident is happy to now work closer to home! She joins our administrative team at the Restaurant Support Center (RSC) in the desert town of our original
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DDO Opens its 219th Taco Bell in Glendale, AZ
We recently caught up with Desert de Oro Foods (DDO) Area Coach (AC) Tyson Gilmore to learn more about our latest Glendale, AZ Taco Bell opening. Tyson is a Taco Bell veteran, having been with the brand for 26 years, eight of which have been spent with us here at DDO. Despite being a