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Taco Bell is a brand built on thinking outside the box — or bun.
2017-04-12
So we were not surprised when we visited Taco Bell's headquarters in Irvine, California to find an office that is equal parts weird and awesome.
The headquarters are flooded with the chain's taco-centric quirkiness. Employees can even order tacos at a fully-functioning Taco Bell restaurant located in the building's cafeteria.
Here's what it's like to visit the paradise of any Taco Bell lover:
Taco Bell's headquarters are located in Irvine, California, at 1 Glen Bell Way — a road named after the chain's founder and namesake, Glen Bell.
Taco Bell
Located just an hour outside of Los Angeles, Taco Bell HQ has become a magnet for social media influencers.
A post shared by foodwithmichel (@foodwithmichel) on Jan 18, 2017 at 5:31pm PST
When I arrived, Taco Bell was ready for me. In the spacious lobby there was a large welcome screen displaying my name.
Kate Taylor
Once inside, there are markers of Taco Bell pride everywhere. There's a timeline, charting the chain's evolution from a single location to a fast-food icon.
Kate Taylor
The packaging has certainly transformed since the '60s.
Kate Taylor
Who can forget Taco Bell's famous chihuahua, who rose to fame in the '90s?
Kate Taylor
For Taco Bell employees who work in communications and social media, the workday begins in the "fishbowl," which is essential the Situation Room of Taco Bell HQ. The room features large screens that display all the news of the day.
Kate Taylor
In addition to combing through social media for all mentions of Taco Bell, every morning the team meets to read through any coverage of the brand that was published in the last 24 hours.
Kate Taylor
For others, the day starts in the test kitchen, which is a mix between an auditorium and a fully functioning Taco Bell kitchen.
Taco Bell
With a constant cycle of new menu items, Taco Bell's culinary teams are always working to develop new ideas.
Kate Taylor
I visited the day before Taco Bell began testing the Naked Breakfast Taco. In the kitchen, I watched chief food innovation officer Liz Matthews take the fried egg shell and fill it with ground beef and guac — a true window into how the Taco Bell sausage gets made.
Kate Taylor
Even employees who aren't on the culinary team play a role in developing Taco Bell's menu. Everyone is encouraged to participate in taste tests held in the headquarters.
Kate Taylor
Test items are slid through a slot in the wall and employees answer a series of questions on the screen about the food.
Kate Taylor
Members of Taco Bell's social and advertising teams have perhaps the coolest meeting place in the office: the Boom Boom Room.
Kate Taylor
Taco Bell's marketing team draws inspiration from two creative icons: Dolly Parton and founder Glen Bell (portrayed in an abstract painting).
Kate Taylor
For employees who truly can't get enough Taco Bell, there is a Taco Bell location in the headquarter's cafeteria.
Taco Bell
I came at lunchtime and it was clear that many employees can't get enough Taco Bell. There was a sizable line of people waiting to try the new Loaded Taco Burrito.
Kate Taylor
The cafeteria has other options as well, including salads, stir fry, and burgers.
Kate Taylor
There's also a stand selling Taco Bell merch — including bikinis.
Kate Taylor
The headquarters also have some more traditional perks, like this entertainment room.
Taco Bell
There are little Taco Bell-specific touches everywhere you look.
Kate Taylor
There's also a gym to work off the calories from all those tacos.
Kate Taylor
Plus, a childcare center — which employees tell me is in high demand, with a sizable waitlist.
Taco Bell
On the way out, I notice one final Taco Bell touch — super-sized hot sauce packets in the elevator. From top to bottom, the fast-food headquarters are like nowhere else in the world.
Taco Bell
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Find her on Twitter at @Kate_H_Taylor. Send your tips about business and individuals deserving of a deep-dive feature to ktaylor@bjinnox.com. You can also get in touch via the Signal encrypted messenger app at (646) 768-4740.
