Glen Bell

Founded Taco Bell chain

What is Glen Bell known for?

Glen William Bell Jr., an esteemed alumnus of Valley Center High School in Valley Center, California, was an American entrepreneur best known for founding the ubiquitous fast-food chain Taco Bell. Born on September 3, 1923, in Lynwood, California, Glen embarked on his journey of entrepreneurship soon after serving as a cook in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II.

In 1948, he started his first hot dog stand 'Bell's Drive-In' in San Bernardino. His successful ventures continued with the opening of Taco-Tia, where he started selling tacos at 19 cents each from a side window. After opening several more establishments, Bell made a significant move in 1962 by going solo and opening his first Taco Bell in Downey, California. His innovative fast-food concept rapidly garnered popularity, and soon, Taco Bell was a dominant name in the fast-food industry. In 1978, Glen sold his 868-restaurant chain to PepsiCo for an impressive $125 million in stock.

Apart from his iconic contribution to the fast-food industry, Glen Bell also embarked on a venture in the tourism sector in the late 70s. He opened a tourist railroad at Tuolumne, California, which featured boat rides on the old mill pond and RV parking, although it eventually had to be closed in the early 1980s.

Bell's life came to a close on January 16, 2010, when he died from Parkinson's disease at the age of 86 in Rancho Santa Fe, California. He is survived by his wife, Martha, two sons, a daughter, four grandchildren, and three sisters, leaving behind a legacy that revolutionized the fast-food industry.

For more details, you can read about Glen Bell in articles by The New York Times and MarketWatch.