At Desert de Oro Foods (DDO), leadership starts with our people. For Restaurant General Manager (RGM)Lasondra Otero, that mindset has guided her journey from a part-time role to leading our Brockton, MA Taco Bell – a position she’s held for the last five years.
Lasondra joined Taco Bell as a Service Champion in 2016, looking for a job that fit her son’s schedule. What she found was something more meaningful. The connections she built with her team and the culture inside the restaurant inspired her to stay and grow.
“My team … they make me feel complete. It feels like family.”
– Lasondra Otero, Taco Bell RGM
Over time, Lasondra moved from Service Champion to Shift Leader, then into the RGM role she holds today. But the path to success was not without a few growing pains.
Growing Through Change
When DDO acquired Lasondra’s market in 2022, she experienced the uncertainty that often comes with change. “I’m not going to say I was excited,” she confesses. “I don’t want to lie. I wasn’t excited.”
While the transition wasn’t easy at first, Lasondra quickly recognized the value of the stronger support that comes with a larger company like DDO. That foundation helped her continue developing as a leader and build an even more resilient team at our Brockton location.
“The support has been wonderful,” she shares. “I honestly enjoy going to work!”
Building a Team That Shows Up
Lasondra leads with communication and consistency. She believes that strong teams drive strong results.
“Focus on your people because they’re the ones to support you and help you grow.”
– Lasondra Otero, Taco Bell RGM
That belief is reflected in her team. Many of the people she’s worked alongside have grown into leadership roles themselves, creating a network of support that extends beyond a single store.
One particular moment stands out: During a busy shift, Lasondra reached out for help and within minutes, multiple team members showed up. “That’s not something that you get every day,” she says. “People that support you and are willing to get out of bed on their day off and run to work to help you succeed and be your best.”