IRVINE, Calif. — To mark the new year, Taco Bell has released its 2020 commitments — from sustainability to employee-facing initiatives.
“As Taco Bell expands its footprint, our responsibility to drive positive impact increases,” says Mark King, CEO, Taco Bell. “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.”
This year, Taco Bell is committing to making all consumer-facing packaging recyclable, compostable or reusable, worldwide, by 2025. Recycling and/or composting bins will be added to all restaurants, where infrastructure permits, and PFAS, phthalates and BPA will be removed from all consumer-facing packaging materials.
The brand will also invest in its employees. Later this year, the brand will begin testing a $100,000 annual salary for restaurant general managers of company-owned restaurants in select locations. It will also introduce a “Makers” program for restaurant team members who want to elevate their passion for the brand and want leadership experience. Additionally, starting January 1, 2020, all nationwide company employees can become eligible to receive at least 24 hours of paid sick time per calendar year. Through these initiatives, Taco Bell aims to enhance restaurant performance, employee satisfaction and support recruitment and retention.
The Taco Bell Foundation will also award $6 million in Live Más Scholarships in 2020 to help fans and team members pursue their unique passions. This year’s awards will bring the Taco Bell Foundation to $17 million in total awarded scholarships since it first launched five years ago.
Finally, the brand vows to continue providing the most vegetarian choices, as well as find ways to make it even easier to order them — whether on its app, in the restaurant or through the drive thru. Last year Taco Bell launched a dedicated vegetarian menu in the U.S. with American Vegetarian Association certified items.
