Category: Operations
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Taste of 2025: Bite-Size Briefs
We always like to close out the year with a blog highlight reel. Our plates were full in 2025 with healthy growth (more locations, more jobs) and lots of reasons to celebrate. Our blog played host to many newsy updates and people stories along the way. Here are the most-viewed articles of 2025 in order
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Clean Sweep Contest Winners!
Desert de Oro Foods (DDO) is excited to announce the winners of this quarter’s DDO Clean Sweep Contest! This initiative was a collaboration between our operations and facilities departments, and we want to thank everyone who participated. Our Vice President of Operations, Fred Bendel, and Director of Development and Construction, Mark Raymond, had the honor
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Derek Petersen Dreams Big at DDO
From working as an Arby’s crew member in his teens to his current role as Desert de Oro Food’s (DDO) Manager of Field IT, Derek Petersen brings a wealth of industry knowledge that’s made a big impact on our business. Although he joined the team just two years ago, Derek has already proven to be
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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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Fork in the Road Leaders Attend Bar & Restaurant Expo in Las Vegas!
The 2025 Bar & Restaurant Expo, held from March 24–26 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, brought together over 13,000 hospitality professionals for its 39th annual gathering. This premier event showcased the latest in food and beverage trends, technology, and operational strategies, providing attendees with valuable insights and networking opportunities. Leaders from our Fork in
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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
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Voice AI in the Drive-Thru
When a handful of Desert de Oro (DDO) Taco Bell locations began testing Voice AI ordering, the teams behind the pilot had two main questions: which restaurants would be a good fit, and would it truly improve day-to-day operations? According to Jeff Torres, DDO’s Regional Director for Western Arizona and California, selecting the right stores
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DDO Development: Nine States & Growing!
In reviewing 2024 highlights and looking forward into this new year, there’s no better place to start than with Desert de Oro Foods’ (DDO) Chad Burge, President of Development and Operations. Chad is responsible for facilitating development and growth while simultaneously furthering the operations talent that goes with it. Today, DDO operates restaurants in nine
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Reflecting on Success: DDO’s Top 10 Stories of the Year
As we close out another dynamic year, it’s time to look back at some of the most inspiring stories and updates that caught our readers’ attention. From acts of community support to remarkable promotions and milestones, these blog posts highlight what makes DDO such a vibrant place to work and grow. Counting down from #10
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Desert de Oro Foods Celebrates Success in Cabo!
DDO celebrated top performers for 2023 with its inaugural Estrellas de Oro (Gold Stars) trip to Cabo, Mexico! Our top ranking 15% of Taco Bell and KFC RGM’s and Area Coaches of 2023 (along with a guest) were treated to a memorable 5-day and 4-night trip at the all-inclusive Hard Rock in Los Cabos, Mexico.