Who founded Taco Bell in Downey, California, in 1962?

Glen Bell founded Taco Bell in Downey, California, in 1962.

Bell had previously operated hamburger and taco businesses in Southern California. His restaurants helped popularize hard-shell tacos with American fast-food customers, adapting Mexican-inspired food for quick service and broad appeal.

Taco Bell’s first location opened at 7112 Firestone Boulevard. The company expanded through franchising and became one of the largest Mexican-inspired fast-food chains in the United States.

A common mix-up is confusing Taco Bell’s founder with Colonel Harland Sanders, who founded Kentucky Fried Chicken. Bell’s name is also sometimes associated with the Bell Drive-In restaurants that preceded Taco Bell.