You can thank this Marine for Taco Bell — and GI distress – Military Times

Report on the Entrepreneurial Endeavors of Glen Bell and Contributions to Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction

This report analyzes the career of Glen Bell, the founder of the Taco Bell corporation. The focus is on reframing his entrepreneurial journey and its resulting economic impact through the lens of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Bell’s work in process innovation and business development demonstrates significant alignment with goals related to economic growth, industry innovation, and responsible production.

Early Life and Military Service: Foundations in Food System Efficiency

Glen Bell’s career in the food industry was preceded by formative experiences that shaped his understanding of logistics and efficiency. His service in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1943 to 1946 as a food server provided direct experience with the challenges of feeding large populations under demanding conditions. This period instilled lessons in streamlining operations, which can be viewed as an early application of principles related to SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), emphasizing the reduction of waste and maximization of resources in food delivery systems.

Post-War Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Food Systems (SDG 9)

Following his military service, Bell applied his knowledge to civilian enterprise. He identified a market opportunity to make Mexican-style food accessible through a fast-food model, a venture that required substantial innovation in food production technology. This work directly contributed to SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) by developing new industrial processes and infrastructure for the food service sector.

1. Process Innovation: Bell designed and commissioned a novel frying apparatus using wire mesh to mass-produce pre-formed, hard-shell tacos. This invention was critical to increasing production speed and consistency.
2. System Streamlining: He developed an assembly-line system for food preparation that minimized customer wait times and maximized output, making the business model scalable.
3. Market Accessibility: By innovating the delivery method, Bell made a previously niche cuisine affordable and widely available, enhancing food system efficiency in alignment with the broader aims of SDG 2 (Zero Hunger).

Establishment of Taco Bell and Contribution to Economic Growth (SDG 8)

The founding of the first Taco Bell restaurant in 1962, followed by its rapid expansion, serves as a case study in economic development and job creation, directly supporting SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).

• Job Creation: The expansion from a single location to a national chain created thousands of jobs, providing stable employment in numerous communities.
• Fostering Entrepreneurship: The franchise model empowered other business owners to invest and operate their own restaurants, promoting sustained and inclusive economic growth.
• Economic Contribution: The success of the corporation, culminating in its sale to PepsiCo in 1978, represented a significant contribution to the national economy and cemented a new segment within the fast-food industry.

Conclusion: A Legacy Aligned with Sustainable Development

Glen Bell’s entrepreneurial legacy, while rooted in commercial ambition, demonstrates a clear, albeit unintentional, alignment with key Sustainable Development Goals. His focus on industrial innovation (SDG 9), the creation of jobs and economic opportunities (SDG 8), and the development of efficient production systems (SDG 12) provides a historical example of how business development can drive progress on critical global objectives. His work fundamentally altered a sector of the food industry, creating a scalable and economically impactful business model.

Analysis of the Article in Relation to Sustainable Development Goals

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

   The article primarily connects to two Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through its narrative of Glen Bell’s entrepreneurial journey and the creation of the Taco Bell empire:

   • SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: The article is a case study in entrepreneurship and job creation. It details how Glen Bell, starting with very little after his military service (“went on the bum,” “in search of work”), created a successful business from the ground up. This narrative directly relates to promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all.
   • SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: The core of Taco Bell’s success, as described in the article, was an industrial innovation. Bell identified a bottleneck in the production of tacos (the slow process of cooking soft shells) and developed a technological solution—a “frying contraption made from chicken coop wire” to “quickly fry preformed shells.” This focus on streamlining processes and innovating within the food service industry aligns with the goal of building resilient infrastructure, promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and fostering innovation.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

   Based on the issues discussed, the following specific targets can be identified:

   • Target 8.3: “Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises.” The entire article is a biography of an entrepreneur, Glen Bell, who started with a small hamburger stand and grew it into a massive chain, thereby creating jobs and a significant enterprise.
   • Target 9.2: “Promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and, by 2030, significantly raise industry’s share of employment and gross domestic product…” The article describes the growth of a new segment within the fast-food industry, contributing to its overall expansion and economic footprint. Bell’s success helped industrialize the production of Mexican-style fast food.
   • Target 9.5: “Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors in all countries… encouraging innovation…” Bell’s development of a new method for frying taco shells is a direct example of upgrading technological capabilities and innovating within an industrial sector (food service) to improve efficiency and enable growth.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

   The article does not provide formal statistical data, but it includes several narrative points that serve as implied indicators of progress towards the identified targets:

   • Indicator for Target 8.3 (Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Growth): The article provides a clear timeline of business creation and growth. An implied indicator is the number of new businesses established. It states that after opening the first Taco Bell in 1962, Bell “over the next two years opened eight more.” This demonstrates the successful growth of a new enterprise from a single unit to a small chain.
   • Indicator for Target 9.5 (Innovation and Efficiency): The article implies an indicator related to the impact of innovation on productivity. Before Bell’s invention, getting a dozen tacos meant “you were in for a wait.” After his innovation of preformed, quick-fried shells, the process was streamlined, allowing the business to take off. The low price point of “19 cents” for a taco is also an indirect indicator of the production efficiency achieved through his innovation.

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article.

   SDGs	Targets	Indicators
   SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth	Target 8.3: Promote policies that support entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation, and encourage the growth of small- and medium-sized enterprises.	Implied Indicator: Growth in the number of business establishments. The article notes the expansion from one Taco Bell in 1962 to nine locations within two years.
   SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure	Target 9.5: Upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors and encourage innovation.	Implied Indicator: Increased production efficiency through innovation. The article highlights the invention of a “frying contraption” that solved the problem of slow taco preparation, enabling the business to scale and succeed.

Source: militarytimes.com