USA – Taco Bell, the quick-service restaurant operated by Yum! Brands, has made new bold commitments seeking to make all consumer-facing packaging recyclable, compostable or reusable across its restaurants worldwide by 2025.
As part of the pledge, the restaurant chain has committed to making available recycling and/or composting bins to all restaurants, where infrastructure permits.
Taco Bell will also be removing a group of synthetic chemicals including Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), Phthalates and Bisphenol A (BPA) from all consumer-facing packaging materials.
In addition, the brand has set new ambitious goals of championing easy and accessible vegetarian options around the world as well as investing in its people.
This follows last year’s launch of a dedicated vegetarian menu that the quick service restaurant introduced with American Vegetarian Association featuring new favorites like the Black Bean Crunchwrap.
Taco Bell has now vowed to continue providing the most vegetarian choices as well as find ways to make it even easier to order them, whether that’s on the app, in the restaurant or through the drive thru.
Investing in people
Later this year, the brand said that it will be testing a US$100,000 annual salary for Restaurant General Managers of company-owned restaurants in select locations.
To complement its efforts in investing in people and building leaders at all levels, Taco Bell is also introducing “Makers,” a program for restaurant team members who want to elevate their passion for the brand and want leadership experience.
Taco Bell said that through these initiatives, among others, the brand aims to enhance restaurant performance, employee satisfaction and support recruitment and retention.
These new commitments continue the trend of purpose-focused innovation at Taco Bell over the last decade, from becoming one of the first fast food chains to post full nutrition information online.
“It’s no secret that Taco Bell marches to the beat of its own drum, and we provide our fans with unexpected experiences year after year,” said Mark King, Taco Bell CEO.
“From the Doritos®️ Locos Taco to the Taco Bell Hotel, we want to continue to lead in creativity on our menus, in our restaurants and beyond.
“As Taco Bell expands its footprint, our responsibility to drive positive impact increases.
“Our business growth in the last decade has positioned us to create change for good and implement creative solutions for our planet, our people and our food. We’re excited to shake things up and make 2020 even more about what matters most: our purpose.”
