Springtime kicks our annual construction and remodel season into full gear here at Desert de Oro Foods (DDO). This year’s schedule began with a few fun Taco Bell “glow ups” in our Southwestern market with a Helotes, TX rebuild and a Laveen, AZ lobby remodel. 

“We are excited to keep serving our existing and new guests … and we are extremely grateful and proud of our Helotes location and staff.”

– Bianca Sandoval, Area Coach

We reached out to Area Coaches Bianca Sandoval and Jonathan Duran for all the details!

Hello, Helotes!

Helotes is located northwest of San Antonio and is part of the greater metropolitan area. What started out as a small town, according to Bianca, has grown in a matter of a few years. Our recently remodeled Taco Bell, which is across the street from a high school and has been around for years, is the only one in town!

“Sales have grown year after year and so has the foot traffic,” she says.. “Because we serve a variety of guests, from students, workers and locals, you can definitely see a variety of our menu items selling.”

The Helotes restaurant is managed by Emily Grubaugh and has a great tenured team, but there’s always room for more talent!

“This rebuild has been a delight to have in Helotes,” Bianca shares. “Our new, sleek lobby gives guests the opportunity to dine in somewhere more modern. [And] all of our digital features make it effortless for our guests to order.”

We asked Bianca, what’s the one thing guests won’t notice that the Helotes team is incredibly proud of? “The amazing team leading operations at this location. We have a lot of our staff who have continuously grown into their positions now – from our team members to our RGM.”

Leveling Up Laveen

According to Jonathan, Laveen is a growing community in southwest Phoenix that’s fast becoming a busy suburban area with new homes and shopping centers, and more families moving in. 

“It’s a young, diverse community with a lot of new development,” he says. “People here like convenience, good value and places they can count on for fast service.”

DDO’s Laveen Taco Bell has been established for more than 20 years! Sabina Xamonty is the location’s Restaurant General Manager (RGM).

“We are really proud of our new remodel,” Jonathan shares. He says this project included a lobby makeover.

“We now have a beautiful, updated store,” he continues. “The remodel looks elegant, modern, and gives our team and guests a great environment to work and dine in.”

We also asked Jonathan what one thing guests wouldn’t notice that the Laveen team is proud of. “How well we work together during rushes,” he says. “Even on our busiest nights, everyone communicates, supports each other, and keeps the line moving.”

While Helotes and Laveen reopened fully staffed, Bianca and Jonathan both confess that we’re always hiring. Check out our current Taco Bell job openings. (Pssst, we have other restaurants, too!)

Meanwhile, if these restaurants are in your ‘hood, come see all that’s shiny and new!