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At DRG, our support for team members goes well beyond the restaurants. We don’t just invest in the business, we invest in our people. As part of that, we encourage all eligible team members to go after their dreams by applying for the Taco Bell Foundation’s generous Live Más Scholarships.
“Ever since I was young, I’ve had a passion for helping people feel cared for and understood … caring for others is one of the most powerful things a person can do. To me, “live más” means putting your whole heart into what you love and uplifting others along the way.”
– Joshelyne Atilano, Nursing Student
Last year was the program’s tenth anniversary and our pool of incredible student beneficiaries just keeps growing. We have 14 lucky and deserving recipients this year! First-time $10,000 recipient Noelia Flores’ story is a real attention getter – first in her family to pursue higher education, aiming to become an attorney who represents the Latino community, longtime doubter of her own potential – she’s set out to take charge of her own destiny.
“For a really long time, I believed that education was not my path,” Noeliaa says in her application video. “I received my associate’s degree in sociology and got accepted into multiple universities that I never dreamt of ever being accepted to.”
Noelia is just one of this year’s impressive representatives of our future generation. Congratulations to all!
$10,000
Gordon Tsai, Store #039832
Passion: Technology & Data
Joshelyne Atilano, Store #039852
Passion: Healthcare (Clinical & Allied Health)
Luke Tan*, Store #039826
Passion: Construction & Skilled Trades
Noelia Flores, Store #041594
Passion: Law, Government & Public Service
Susan Gonzalez, Store #039841
Passion: Education & Youth Development
$5,000
Abhishek Soni*, Store #041597
Passion: Agriculture & Food Systems
Dyan Lopez, Store #039855
Passion: Food, Hospitality & Tourism
Dylan Lindboe, Store #031888
Passion: Technology & Data
Martin Aloka, Store #041605
Passion: Technology & Data
Nicodemus Snyder, Store #038851
Passion: Law, Government & Public Service
Samuel Knox, Store #039841
Passion: Business, Finance & Entrepreneurship
Ximena Lazaro, Store #039792
Passion: Education & Youth Development
$25,000
Ernesto Gutierrez, Store #041594
Maritza Chaves, Store #039824
*Scholarship renewal
Earlier this month, leaders from across the organization gathered for DRG’s most exciting event of the year: our annual Leadership Summit! Held in Las Vegas, NV, the conference was a three-day marathon of collaboration, innovation and recognition (speaking of recognition, read more about our Core Value Award winners here!).
This year’s gathering was centered around one main theme, which we coined “The Road to Triple Crown Experience.” Inspired by the exciting energy of horse racing, this unique concept set the stage for the coming year’s main focus: creating exceptional experiences for our team members, guests and partners — AKA, DRG’s “triple crown”!
Our President & CEO, SG Ellison, kicked things off with a special brand message. We also heard from a few other C-Suite executives, including Chief Operations Officer, Todd Kelly, Chief Restaurant Officer, Tom Douglas, and Chief Development Officer, Brandon Stein.
Summit attendees also heard from a lineup of incredible guest speakers. From industry experts to Taco Bell executives, these inspiring individuals offered unique perspectives and learnings that we’ll definitely be taking with us into the year ahead.
Our 2026 guest speakers were:
Community is deeply ingrained in everything we do here at DRG — including Summit! This year, we hosted a Community Partner Panel featuring speakers from some of the amazing organizations we work with.
Our 2026 Community Partner panel speakers were:
The panel provided real life examples of how mentorship and involvement from the DRG team impacts kids across the markets they do business in. Each speaker touched on their organization’s mission and how they’re helping today’s youth gain access to opportunity.
Almost as big as the Grammys, the DRGs was a night to remember, complete with a live band, a silent auction for DRG Cares, and plenty of awards. Congrats to our top performers below!
General Manager Top Performers:
Cantina GM of the Year:
Market General Manager of the Year:
Market Training Manager of the Year:
General Manager of the Year:
Area Coach of the Year:
Director of Operations of the Year:
Area Coach Top Performers:
Support Center Top Performer:
Support Center Employee of the Year:
Field Support Person of the Year:
Impact Player Awards:
Living the Values Award:
George Psaros Award:
COO Award of Excellence:
It’s safe to say that this year’s conference was a success! A huge thank you to our speakers, workshop hosts and everyone else involved in planning such an incredible Summit. We already can’t wait for next year!
Earlier this month, we gathered together in Las Vegas, NV for our annual Leadership Summit. Affectionately nicknamed “Summit,” this companywide gathering brings together restaurant leaders and above for a special, high-energy celebration.
Summit is where we connect with one another and set the pace for the road ahead — but it’s also where we take the time to recognize the previous year’s achievements. One of the ways we do so is by giving out Core Value Awards at a special ceremony. The event is dedicated to honoring DRG leaders who represent our key principles in action — and with just three winners per core value, it’s a very prestigious distinction!
We Do the Right Thing Award: These team members lead with integrity, accountability and a commitment to doing what’s right.
We Are Authentic Award: Dedicated to showing up as their true selves, these leaders build trust and create meaningful connections with teams and guests.
We Are Innovators Award: This award honors individuals who consistently offer new ideas, challenge the status quo and find better ways to serve guests and support their teams.
We Have Fun Award: At DRG, we like to say that positive energy is contagious! These leaders bring enthusiasm, positivity and joy to their teams.
We Win Together Award: Collaboration and teamwork is the key to success. This award honors those who elevate the people around them and embody the spirit of shared success.
We’re making waves with another successful opening! DRG’s highly anticipated Fisherman’s Wharf Taco Bell Cantina in San Francisco, CA is Anchorage Square’s first new tenant to open as part of a multi-million dollar post-pandemic revitalization effort.
“Fisherman’s Wharf is iconic, and we wanted to create a special place that builds on that legacy while driving the future of the area.”
-SG Ellison, CEO
This newest DRG Cantina is our company’s tenth and second in San Francisco. We opened our SoMa Cantina in 2015.
At 2,400 square feet, the new Fisherman’s Wharf Cantina pays homage to the surrounding historic waterfront with its unique nautical design and details like sea-inspired murals and porthole views into the kitchen. In addition, it boasts our most innovative bar setup yet! Remaining true to the cool Cantina concept, here you’ll find alcoholic beverages alongside classic Taco Bell menu favorites. This elevated beverage experience includes:
We’re ready to host your next party! This late-night hot spot was designed to accommodate large crowds – and large cravings. Late morning to late night, stop by and stay awhile:
Fisherman’s Wharf Taco Bell Cantina
333 Jefferson Street, Suites 104-105
San Francisco, CA 94133
Open daily from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m
At Diversified Restaurant Group (DRG), we’re always looking for ways to elevate the guest experience – and our Bellristas are doing just that at our Taco Bell Live Más Cafés.
Bellristas are the heartbeat of the café bar. They blend, shake and pour 20-plus crave-worthy drink offerings while connecting with guests and bringing energy, smiles and fun to every interaction. From refreshing chillers to bold coffee creations, Bellristas turn every drink into a moment of hospitality.
We’re excited to spotlight three of our incredible California Bellristas who are helping define what great service looks like at our Live Más Café locations.
Kaylyn Rivas – Corona Live Más Café
Kaylyn brings positivity and warmth to every shift at the Corona Live Más Café. Her go-to drink, the Strawberry Matcha Chiller, is a guest favorite – and so is her energy behind the café bar.
What Kaylyn loves most about being a Bellrista:
Interacting with guests and leaving a positive impact on everyone she meets. Kaylyn believes even small moments of kindness can make someone’s day better, and she brings that mindset to every drink she serves.
Lizbeth de la Cruz – Carmel Live Más Café
Lizbeth thrives in the fast-paced, creative environment of the Live Más Café. She loves crafting cool, refreshing drinks while keeping up with the buzz of a busy restaurant.
What Lizbeth loves most about being a Bellrista:
Learning something completely new. Lizbeth stepped into the café space without prior experience — and through training and hands-on learning, she mastered the role. Today, she proudly teaches others how to succeed behind the café bar, all while leading with a smile.
Johanna Jimenez – Simi Valley Live Más Café
Johanna’s favorite part of being a Bellrista goes beyond the drinks — it’s the connections. Her Mexican Mocha Latte Chiller is a must-try, but what keeps guests coming back is her genuine hospitality.
What Johanna loves most about being a Bellrista:
Getting to know guests and building relationships with the regulars. Johanna enjoys creating a welcoming environment where visitors feel recognized and valued every time they stop by.
Our Bellristas are redefining hospitality by delivering exceptional customer experiences one drink at a time. We’re proud of Kaylyn, Lizbeth, Johanna and all our Bellristas who continue to bring the Live Más spirit to life every day!
Join us as we take a walk down Memory Lane, remembering some of our coolest blog stories from 2025. It was another one for the books with lots to celebrate. Here’s a look at the highlights!
We celebrated the successful opening of our first ever Live Más Cafe, which was a total transformation of our existing Taco Bell on H Street in Chula Vista, CA. We checked in with Restaurant General Manager (RGM) Ernesto Figueroa about how it’s going – his excitement is contagious!
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At the close of 2025, DRG made the cover of QSR Magazine’s November issue as its Franchisee of the Year AND became the focus of an incredible feature article. Highlighted for our “relentless innovative mindset,” it was an exceptional way to close out our year!
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Eighteen of our very own were granted Live Más Scholarships by Taco Bell Foundation. They received a combined $200,000! Check out this year’s recipient list, another impressive group we’re happy to see soar to new heights.
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DRG’s Women in Leadership Network (WLN) continues its powerful mission of empowering DRG women from within the organization, and giving them opportunities for networking and professional development (with a side of community service). This year’s workshop followed a sports camp theme and resulted in perfect execution of the playbook!
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This year’s community grants efforts through the Taco Bell Foundation were nothing short of amazing. We were proud to contribute $1 million of the 2025 total through our Round Up (at the register) efforts in tandem with our generous guests.
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It was already dubbed “The Most Beautiful Taco Bell in the World” – and then we gave it a ‘lil refresh. Today, our Pacifica Cantina is the highest grossing Taco Bell in the DRG portfolio. People come from all over the world to visit, and it’s become a hotspot for special events (like dog surfing competitions) and wedding receptions. It’s a real crowd pleaser!
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We relish the upbeat energy of our latest company summit in March, celebrating the year’s highlights and setting our sights on a bold future.
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Each year, Diversified Restaurant Group’s (DRG) Women in Leadership Network (WLN) hosts an annual professional workshop. Held at our Restaurant Support Center (RSC) in Las Vegas, NV, these workshops aim to blend the spirit of teamwork with powerful leadership development. Upon their departure, our female leaders walk away with the tools they need to drive impactful change in our organization and beyond.
This year’s two-day conference took place on October 28 & 29. The theme was “Camp WLN,” a fun ode to the workshop’s abundance of sports- and team-centric activities. Highlights included keynote speaker and former football player Coach V, leadership “drills” and plenty of networking conversations.
We had the opportunity to speak with our Communications & Media Manager and WLN Network Lead, Sierra Burk, about all the prep work that went into the event. She says that she and her WLN counsel — which is composed of five other DRG women — worked to plan Camp WLN over a four month period. As they built out the agenda, they made it their goal that throughout the conference, attendees would be given opportunities to build new relationships, lessons on effectively leading a team and plenty of empowerment.
Nearly 70 women from across the organization (and country) gathered at Camp WLN, including DRG Area Coaches (ACs), Regional Directors, office team members, and for the very first time, Restaurant General Managers (RGMs). A number of male executives also stopped by the workshop to offer their support — including our very own CEO & President, SG Ellison, who gave a speech about the women leaders that have inspired and helped him get to where he is today.
It’s deeply important to us that we weave our community into development events like Camp WLN whenever we can. We have a close relationship with the Boys & Girls Club of Southern Nevada, so we invited eight female members of their leadership team to the workshop. Sierra shares that their presence was particularly impactful in the workshop’s leadership conversations, as the nonprofit leaders were able to provide important perspectives that DRG team members didn’t have previously.
At one point in the conference, attendees were split into teams and tasked with making hygiene kits for the Boys & Girls Club. As they assembled as many kits as possible in a given amount of time, the teams were able to participate in a little friendly competition. After all, Camp WLN was a sports-themed workshop! Participants put together 140 hygiene kits, which we then donated to the Boys & Girls Club.
Sierra shares that at the end of the conference, each attendee was given an “accountability partner.” These pairings were made to help those in attendance commit to their professional development. Over the coming months, the women will stay in touch with one another and share details about how they’re continuing to work toward their career goals. “We really wanted [what they learned] to resonate and stick,” according to Sierra.
WLN has grown exponentially in the four years since it first launched — and Sierra doesn’t see it stopping anytime soon. She says the group has big plans to use myDRG, our new internal company app, to reach more people in the organization. For example, a page dedicated to WLN on the app would allow DRG’s restaurant employees visibility into the leadership perks that we offer.
“I think with this new technology, we can reach even more women,” Sierra shares, adding that at some point, they want to make the WLN annual workshop and its resources available to women at every level on the DRG career ladder.
A huge thank you to everyone who attended Camp WLN! We can’t wait to see you next year.
We’re excited to share that we’ve added two incredible new members to the Diversified Restaurant Group (DRG) team! Jennifer Levine joins us as our Vice President of Human Resources, while Becky Rainey is our Senior Vice President & Restaurant Division Counsel.
Their arrival is a major win for the DRG Women’s Leadership Network (WLN), which now gains two outstanding leaders to help champion growth, mentorship and empowerment across the organization. It also marks a meaningful step forward in expanding female representation across our executive team.
Read on to learn a little more about Becky and Jennifer, and join us in giving them a very warm welcome!
Becky brings over 20 years of legal experience in both the restaurant and hospitality industries. She’s worked diligently alongside both franchisors and franchisees, making her the perfect fit for the projects she’ll take on with us here at DRG.
Becky will oversee our Risk and HR departments, all legal affairs and any compliance initiatives across our restaurants. She’s excited to bring early risk legal analysis and strategic guidance to these essential areas, help us to both protect the current state of our strong brand and build long-term savings for our bright future.
Becky also has an impressive portfolio of extracurricular accolades. For her work in creating a legal support program for abused women and children at a shelter in San Antonio, TX, she was named an Outstanding Professional in the Community by St. Mary’s University. Becky’s commitment to community service is already apparent here at DRG, as she will serve as President of the DRG Cares Corporation and be a strong contributor to our Women’s Leadership Network (WLN).
Becky is a proud Texan, and when she’s not working, she can often be found at a rodeo. Becky grew up riding horses and has served on various rodeo committees for both the Austin and San Antonio Rodeos. She’s excited to check out the National Rodeo Finals in Las Vegas, NV!
Jennifer’s passion for human resources began in college. She earned her B.S. in Hospitality Management with a concentration in HR from UNLV. Her alma mater regularly invites her back to speak with current students about her professional experiences, offering them priceless, real-world perspective.
When it comes to corporate HR experience, Jennifer has a lot of it! As a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), Jennifer has held leadership positions across a variety of industries, including casinos, entertainment, sports and more. She’s applied her specialized skill set to guide some of the world’s most recognizable brands through major acquisitions, companywide tech rollouts and property openings.
At DRG, Jennifer will oversee our HR field and back office functions in addition to any benefits operations. We can’t wait to learn from her strategic vision in these areas!
When she’s not working on her next big HR project, Jennifer can be found spending time with her husband, their three children and their Bernedoodle puppy (whose name is Chicken Nugget!).
Congratulations on your new roles, Becky and Jennifer! We couldn’t be more excited to welcome you to the DRG family.
We have a very exciting announcement: Diversified Restaurant Group (DRG) has just been named Franchisee of the Year by QSR Magazine! We’re thrilled to be featured on the front cover of QSR’s November issue. Check it out HERE.
This incredible honor recognizes exceptional, forward-thinking franchisees who’ve made a significant impact on the industry over the course of the last year.
The QSR Magazine team shared that our commitment to experience-driven development, emerging technology and a people-first culture in 2025 were all huge factors in their decision.
“DRG exemplifies the modern franchise partner,” Ben Coley, a QSR Magazine editor shared. “They’re not just running restaurants; they’re building destinations and testing the future of the quick-service industry.”
A few of the future-forward initiatives that stood out to the team include our introduction of AI in drive-thrus, significant investment in the Live Más Cafe concept and installation of EV charging stations in restaurant parking lots.
The 300-plus store Taco Bell operator has been on the front-line of innovation
– Danny Klein, VP Editorial Director, WSR & FSR Magazines
Of course, an honor of this caliber would never be possible without the hard work of each and every DRG team member.
“Our growth isn’t powered by development alone,” President and CEO SG Ellison shared. “It’s driven by our people, who live our values and deliver genuine hospitality every day.”
We want to give a huge thank you to every member of the DRG family. You’ve all helped make this incredible honor a reality!
If you haven’t already heard, Taco Bell’s latest venture is the Live Más Café: a concept that blends Taco Bell’s beloved menu with a unique, café-style experience.
Excitingly, Diversified Restaurant Group (DRG) is leading the Live-Más-Café charge. The first of the new concept’s locations was successfully piloted at the Chula Vista, CA Taco Bell in 2024 — and as of September 2025, the next two Live Más Café locations were officially opened under DRG leadership in Carmel Mountain Ranch, San Diego, and Simi Valley, CA.
Live Más Café gives our guests new reasons to visit Taco Bell, whether that’s for a handcrafted drink or their favorite taco,
– SG Ellison, CEO and President of Diversified Restaurant Group.
Grand opening celebrations were held at both the Carmel Mountain Ranch and Simi Valley locations, where Taco Bell fans enjoyed live entertainment, exclusive giveaways and complimentary samples.
Upon entering a Live Más Café, guests are greeted by “Bellristas.” They then get to choose from a menu featuring a number of signature drinks, from Churro Chillers to Agua Refrescas to coffee beverages like Vanilla Crema.
It’s safe to say that anyone who stops at a Live Más Café is in for an energizing and delicious treat!
We couldn’t be more excited to be planting the seeds for a Live Más Café-filled future. Through 2025, DRG plans to open additional locations across California in Corona, Eastvale, Hemet, La Canada, Lake Forest, Lancaster, Newhall, Pasadena, Rancho Cucamonga, Riverside, Temecula and Yorba Linda.
Come check us out!
