This is DDO

The gold standard in restaurant leadership.

BRAND BELIEVERS

It starts at the top. We cannot be the family-oriented company we desire without strong and committed leaders. What sets Desert de Oro Foods’ directors apart is an intimate understanding of operations at every level — because for many, our first jobs were in a restaurant. We’re approachable, collaborative and motivated to find ways of doing things better!

Our Core Values

Passionate

We have a passion for providing a fantastic experience for both guests and team members alike.

Committed

Our commitment to leadership development and operational excellence is unwavering.

Ethical

We’re honest and inspired to do the right thing, fostering trust in all facets of business.

Meet the Team

Krystal Burge
Co-founder
  • Team: All brands
  • Krystal‘s DDO journey started with seven-day workweeks, alternating shifts and handling accounting.
  • Years at DDO: 43
Mark Peterson
Co-founder
  • Team: All brands
  • Mark served in every role at our first Taco Bell – janitor, team member, maintenance, manager!
  • Years at DDO: 43
Chad Burge
President, Development & Operations
  • Team: All brands
  • Chad’s first job was in high school, buying and selling cars for his dad’s dealership.
  • Years at DDO: 8
Tiffany Oder
President, Real Estate & Investments
  • Team: All brands
  • Tiffany’s first job was as a receptionist in high school here at DDO.
  • Years at DDO: 18
Michael Dobberpuhl
Chief Financial Officer
  • Team: All brands
  • Michael’s first job was as bus staff for a fish fry restaurant.
  • Years at DDO: 21
Fred Bendel
Vice President of Operations
  • Team: All brands
  • Fred’s loyalty to Taco Bell started at age 19 as a Shift Leader.
  • Years at DDO: 28
Marlinda Cole
Vice President, Human Resources
  • Team: All brands
  • Marlinda has been a cake decorator, bartender AND a server!
  • Years at DDO: 2
Corbin Watson
Director of Accounting
  • Team: All brands
  • Corbin got his start with DDO as a receptionist at our support center.
  • Years at DDO: 15
Joe Terrinoni
Director of Concepts
  • Team: Fork in the Road
  • Joe’s first job was as a pizza cook at a family restaurant.
  • Years at DDO: 6
Greg Jackson
Regional Director, KFC
  • Team: KFC
  • Greg’s first restaurant gig was at a taco restaurant, now he’s our KFC guy!
  • Years at DDO: 15
Victor Carbajal
Regional Director, Taco Bell – Utah
  • Team: Taco Bell
  • Victor started as a fry cook with KFC, but now celebrates 28 years with Taco Bell!
  • Years at DDO: 4
Steve Perrone
Regional Director, Taco Bell – New England
  • Team: Taco Bell
  • Steve’s first restaurant gig was as RGM for a Taco Bell in Massachusetts.
  • Years at DDO: 3
Jeff Torres
Regional Director, Taco Bell – Western AZ & CA
  • Team: Taco Bell
  • Jeff started out as a closer for Taco Bell. He’s been with the brand for 30 years!
  • Years at DDO: 9
Carlos Covarrubias
Regional Director, Taco Bell – Eastern AZ & NM
  • Team: Taco Bell
  • Carlos is a natural born comedian who got his start as a cook at a Mexican restaurant!
  • Years at DDO: 12
Mark Phillips
Regional Director, Taco Bell – Texas
  • Team: Taco Bell
  • Mark’s first job was a summer gig for Youth Conservation Corp.; later, he worked at a Burger King.
  • Years at DDO: 5
Nate Sleeper
Regional Director, Pizza Hut – AZ Dine-In Locations
  • Team: Pizza Hut
  • Nate’s first job was as a gas station attendant; later, he became a Pizza Hut server.
  • Years at DDO: 14
Mark High
Regional Director, Pizza Hut – West Phoenix
  • Team: Pizza Hut
  • Mark started his QSR career as a fry cook for Whataburger.
  • Years at DDO: 13
Celeste Bendel
Regional Director, Pizza Hut – East Phoenix
  • Team: Pizza Hut
  • Celeste got her QSR start at McDonald’s.
  • Years at DDO: 12