Glen Bell Obituary - Death Notice and Service Information

RANCHO SANTA FE, Calif. (AP) - Glen W. Bell Jr., an entrepreneur best known as the founder of the Taco Bell chain, has died. He was 86.

Bell died Saturday at his home in Rancho Santa Fe, according to a statement posted Monday on the Taco Bell Web site.

The Irvine-based company did not release a cause of death.

"Glen Bell was a visionary and innovator in the restaurant industry, as well as a dedicated family man," Greg Creed, president of Taco Bell, said in the statement.

Bell launched his first restaurant, called Bell's Drive-In, in 1948 in San Bernardino after seeing the success of McDonald's Bar-B-Que, the predecessor of McDonald's, which was founded in the same city in 1940. Like McDonald's, Bell's restaurant sought to take advantage of Southern California's car culture by serving hamburgers and hot dogs through drive-in windows.

The World War II veteran next helped establish Taco Tias in Los Angeles, El Tacos in the Long Beach area, and Der Wienerschnitzel, a national hot dog chain.

Bell launched Taco Bell in 1962 in Downey after cutting ties with his business partners and quickly expanding around Los Angeles.

He sold the first Taco Bell franchise in 1964. In 1978, Bell sold his 868 Taco Bell restaurants to PepsiCo for $125 million in stock.

Taco Bell is now owned by Yum! Brands and is the largest Mexican fast-food chain in the nation, serving more than 36.8 million consumers each week in more than 5,600 U.S. locations.

Bell is survived by his wife, Martha, three sisters, two sons, a daughter and four grandchildren.

A private funeral is planned.

Copyright © 2010 The Associated Press

Not sure what to say?

Get email updates for this page

Posting Guidelines|FAQ

Greetings - I am writing concerning a mining property once owned by the Glen Bell family in Columbia CA. I have many old pictures of the family cabin before it burned. The Mountain Lily is a 25 acre patented mine and I am putting it on the market after my husband passed away. I have met folks who worked with Mr Bell and they all have great things to say. My condolence and please feel free to contact me with questions regarding the property/ thank you / Marjorie B Hambright Wolff 805-459-8526

Marby Hambright

May 31, 2017 | San Luis Obispo, CA

Valenda Newell

January 01, 2017 | Indianapolis, IN

Kathleen Flynn Bell, would you contact me? I'm converting my dad's slides (to digital) from their trip in 1975 to Portugal, Spain, Morocco. That's where they met Glen and Marty. I found a picture of your mom that is stunning. It looks like a Dutch Master's painting. It's too precious to make public here. When I restore the picture, we will see your dad and my mom there too, but right now they are only shadows. I'm including a "nice" group shot, to show you I'm legit.But this other...

Sue Veldstra

March 09, 2015 | Sacramento, CA

i love your tacos. They are SPECTACULAR

Andrea Davis

March 05, 2012 | Dallas, TX

To Kathleen and Marty, heartfelt condolences. Forever in my heart and your kindness & friendship will never be forgotten. I recall that blue Ford vintage pick up he loved. R.I.P. Mr. Glen Bell. Always, G. Runion Peter

January 06, 2012

Dear Glen you will be missed but not forgotten. The Marines you shared a Marine Birthday with from Camp Pendleton Air Station will never forget you. Corporal Bell, USMC, World War II Vet.

Manny Sanchez

August 15, 2011 | Dayton, NV

Even when Parkinsons, and the medicines he took to control it, had slowed Glen's reflexes a little, he was the absolute King of the ping pong table. First time we played each other was in 1997. Since I was pretty good, I figured I would take it a little easy on the "old guy" and not let the score get too one-sided. (I still wonder if he was playing a bit of "possum" with me. Whenever the ball ended up on the floor at his end, I'd have to go pick it up for him because he had such a difficult...

Paul Wilson

June 02, 2011 | San Diego, CA

i love you glen for those great taco's and i love that you took the time out to make Taco Bell... . . . .And you need to let me get a job lol :) sorry for you alls lost . . . .much lov to you and family!!!!

jessie clark

November 12, 2010 | Union City

I Love your company and thank you for ever for what you have done for me.

Conrad Stafford

May 26, 2010 | Utica, NY

Glen W. Bell Jr.

Obituary

Guest Book