Taco Bell is a destination for something much deeper— it’s a place to belong, grow and stay. It's about the amazing individuals who have poured decades into the brand, choosing to build their lives and legacies here... making Taco Bell a home away from home.
This story is the celebration of Guillermo G., Maintenance Technician who has been with the brand for 47 years and will be retiring in July. Read about his incredible tenure as one of the first corporate maintenance technicians at Taco Bell.
Tell me about your life growing up:
“I grew up in El Paso, Texas and am one of 14 kids. When I was younger, I would love buying broken items such as radios/electronics and then fixing them. One time, I took apart an entire malfunctioning TV and managed to put it back together. I didn’t know what I was doing, but it felt right. Then, in high school, I would sit and watch the maintenance crew repair things, and I imagined myself doing this kind of work. I knew back then that my passion was to fix things. So, I went to college and got my certification in Auto Mechanics. Although, a lot of what I ended up doing at Taco Bell was self-taught.”
How did you find Taco Bell? Tell me about the past 47 years with the brand.
“I joined a franchised Taco Bell in high school as a part time team member where I spent several years as a food and service champion. I still had that passion for fixing things, so anytime there wasn’t a rush, I would find things that were not working right and fix them.
Then, the franchise organization noticed how my restaurant looked different than the others (in a good way), so they bought me a set of tools and asked me to go to their 21 locations for all kinds of repairs...and so began my journey as an in-house Maintenance Technician.
I was recognized at franchise functions because I kept restaurants running smoothly to the best of my ability. Then, when the franchise turned into a Taco Bell corporate location, they created a new in-house Maintenace department, and I was one of the very first people to be part of it. The rest is history.”
What are some of your fondest memories with Taco Bell?
“I remember attending Maintenance Technician conferences where we got to meet our fellow technicians and bond at the Irvine RSC which was a lot of fun. I also think about when I was sent to St. Louis, Missouri for a job and the management team took me to my first real baseball game. That was the first time I had a baseball stadium hot dog! I remember calling my wife from the stadium, and she said I sounded like a kid in a candy store because of how excited I was.”
How do you feel about your upcoming retirement?
“I can tell you that it is truly bittersweet, as I literally grew up with the Taco Bell brand and will miss it dearly. I’m looking forward to spending more time with my family and doing more of my hobbies, but I cannot wait to continue visiting the restaurants and take my grandkids to get their Freezes, Cheesy Roll Ups and Crunchy Tacos that they love so much.”
Guillermo’s final remarks:
“I would like to wish my market restaurants the best and let them know it’s been an honor to serve them over the past few decades. I would like to let my fellow technicians know that I appreciate them, and that I am proud to have been part of the Maintenance Technician department from the very beginning to see all this take effect. I would like to thank my management teams for their support throughout the years as I was able to become what I am today with their help. Last but not least, I would like to thank Yum! Brands and Taco Bell for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to work, grow and be a part of this incredible brand. I truly had my dream job, and I will forever be grateful for that.”
Guillermo, thank you for your service to the brand. The legacy you leave behind is not just in the years you gave, but in the Taco Bell magic you brought to every interaction, conversation and moment . Take a look at what some of his colleagues shared about their time with him below.
“Memo is truly what Taco Bell Culture is. I have worked with him for 30 years and there hasn't been a single time where he hasn’t thought of the guest or the teams. This man knows every single person that works in our restaurants, and there is nothing that he does not know how to fix. He is not just a maintenance technician, he is a true icon of Taco Bell. I remember the time when he was working late at night fixing some pieces of equipment, and when he was done, he saw the team was super busy so he jumped in to help wash the dishes. This is just the type of person he is. As he retires, he will leave a legacy of more than fixed restaurants. For those of us who worked closely with him, he will leave the true Taco Bell Live Más legacy.” - Benjamin C., Area Coach, Taco Bell Corp.
“Memo has always been a shining example of dedication and hard work. His respectful and kind nature has made him not just a great colleague but also a wonderful friend to many of us. It's not often that you come across someone who is as loyal and committed to their work as Memo has been. His contributions to our company are immeasurable, and his presence will surely be missed. I’m excited for this next phase in his life because he sure does deserve it, but I’m sad at the fact that we are losing a great asset to our area.
As we bid farewell to Memo, let's take a moment to appreciate the remarkable person he is. His legacy of kindness, respect, and dedication will continue to inspire us all. Memo, thank you for everything. You are truly one of a kind, and we will all miss you dearly.” - Rebecca D., Area Coach, Taco Bell Corp.
"I have known Guillermo, (Memo) for 25 years and I am particularly sad to see him go. There is no one in his position like him. He is truly unique. If you ask him to help you, he will never say no. If your restaurant needs anything, he will be there to make sure that you’re ok. He works tirelessly to ensure that the market runs smoothly. Memo is highly regarded for his skills with maintenance and repairs, but even more so because of the kind and sincere person that he is. He is one of a kind and will be truly missed. I wish him all the best on a retirement well deserved!” - Oscar G., Market Coach, Taco Bell Corp.
“The man the myth the legend…Where do I start? Memo has been an inspiration to all of us in Facilities. His knowledge and experience is unmatched and to say the least, envied. If a member of my team needed a part or advice on how to make a repair, my answer was almost always call Memo.
There are not many at Taco Bell or anywhere for that matter that can say they have been employed for 40+ years at the same company, but Memo can. His dedication and contributions to the brand will never be forgotten. I wish Memo the best on his retirement. I hope he is able to relax, but also takes time to reflect back on his accomplishments and truly understands the impact he has made on the brand, his peers, coaches and Ops partners here at the Bell. I may be losing him as part of my team but pray I will never lose his friendship.” - Jeffrey L., National Manager of Facilities