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.
The Women's Foodservice Forum (WFF) has appointed Fritzi Woods (pictured, below) president and CEO. She will assume her role on May 1.
"As a WFF member for six years, I am continually impressed by the organization's drive and passion toward elevating women leaders. I'm drawn to the strong impact WFF has on the industry and I'm excited to build on their success by strategically increasing our visibility and outcomes in 2010 and beyond," said Woods in a statement.
Most recently, Woods served as president, CEO and chair of the board for PrimeSource FoodService Equipment Inc., a company specializing in quick-service restaurant chains. She also was the executive vice president and CFO of The Dallas Morning News/Belo Corp. and served as CFO of the Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau. Woods previously was chair-elect of WFF's board of directors. Maureen Hurley, executive vice president and chief administrative officer of Rich Products Corp., will take over the role of chair-elect and become chair of WFF at the WFF Annual Leadership Development Conference April 6 to 9 in Las Vegas. For more information, visit www.womensfoodserviceforum.com.
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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.