Glen W. Bell, founder of the Taco Bell restaurant chain, has passed away, according to a story from OC Metro. The 86-year-old founder of the Irvine, Calif.-based restaurant chain died at his Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., home over the weekend.

"The entire Taco Bell family of franchisees and employees are deeply saddened by the loss of the founder of Taco Bell," said Greg Creed, the chain's president and chief concept officer, in a press release.

Bell opened his first Taco Bell in 1962 in Downey, Calif., and then expanded the chain to nearly 870 stores before selling it to PepsiCo in 1978. Today, Taco Bell is owned by Yum! Brands Inc. and serves more than 36.8 million people in the U.S. each week. In addition to his contributions to the quick-service restaurant industry, Bell was a World War II veteran and founder of Bell Gardens, a 115-acre model produce farm and park.

Bell is survived by his wife of 54 years, three sisters, a daughter, two sons and four grandchildren. A private funeral service will be held for family members. Read the entire story here.