Happy Holidays!
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Dear DRG Family,
As we approach the end of another remarkable year, I find myself reflecting on the incredible journey we’ve undertaken together as a company. The holiday season is the perfect time to express my deepest gratitude and share my immense pride in each and every one of you.
This year has been nothing short of extraordinary, filled with challenges that we faced head-on and triumphs that we celebrated together. As President & CEO, I am incredibly proud of the hard work, dedication, and resilience that each member of the DRG family has demonstrated day in and day out.
Our commitment to excellence has propelled us to new heights such as adding 24 restaurants to our San Diego market, placing us as the largest Taco Bell franchisee by sales volume. We’re on track to becoming one of the top 10 largest restaurant companies in the country. From the frontline teams in our restaurants to the support staff in our offices, it’s your collective efforts that have made this success possible.
As we take a moment to celebrate the holiday season with our loved ones, let’s also reflect on the milestones we’ve achieved as a company. Your hard work, passion, and commitment have not gone unnoticed, and I want to extend my heartfelt thanks for your contributions to our shared success.
Looking ahead, I am excited about the possibilities that the future holds for DRG. With a team as talented and dedicated as ours, I am confident that we will continue to achieve great things in the coming year.
Wishing you and your loved ones a joyous holiday season filled with laughter, warmth, and well-deserved relaxation. Thank you for being an integral part of the DRG family and for making this year a truly memorable one.
Cheers to our continued success!
Warm regards,
SG Ellison
President & CEO
DRG LEADERSHIP SUMMIT: THAT’S A WRAP!
You came, you saw and now we’re conquering ambitious goals together! Our most recent DRG Leadership Summit in Las Vegas was another invigorating gathering of 160 of our most dedicated leaders and staff personnel. Inspired by the Summer Olympics and athletic endurance, we’ve called upon all of you to elevate your game in 2024!
SUMMIT HIGHLIGHTS
- Celebration with 5-time Olympic Water Polo Champion, Jesse Smith;
- Comments by Taco Bell’s Taylor Montgomery, Chief Marketing Officer, and Melissa Friebe, Chief Insights Officer;
- Pinning of the second round of Women’s Leadership Network (WLN) inductees;
- Comments by Deryk Engelland, former professional hockey player for the Golden Knights; and
- Recognition of our company’s 2024 award winners.
GET TO KNOW THE NEW WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP NETWORK
Originally launched as the Women in Leadership Initiative (WIL) in 2023, the aptly renamed Women’s Leadership Network (WLN) welcomed its second cohort at DRG’s annual Summit. And with overwhelming interest, we more than doubled the size of this group!
DRG is dedicated to developing the women of DRG into strong leaders.
The WLN was created to promote more diversity in the workplace and more specifically, at the leadership table. The end goal is to empower more DRG women to keep confidently climbing upward in their careers.
“This past year, women really felt that we cared — that they were heard and understood.”
-Sierra Burk, WLN co-founder and Communications & Media Manager
The WLN is open to DRG Area Coaches and above, and office personnel (previous cohorts may also reapply). This year’s application period is now closed; it will reopen in February 2025.
RAISE MORE MONEY THAN EVER WITH DRG CARES
MID-YEAR INSIGHTS FROM OUR EXECS
Behind great companies are strong leaders who know how to build up the base. After much growth here at DRG, this year is all about getting everything in sync — “having all of our operations continue to elevate and shine,” as President and CEO SG Ellison eloquently shares. This, while celebrating DRG’s leadership in growth and innovation.
Find out what excites our execs and let’s go for the gold! Enjoy this mid-year message from Jason Dunn, VP of Ops Excellence; SG; COO Todd Kelly; CFO Ben Marmor; Tom Douglas, Chief Restaurant Officer; and Deb Wendorf, Sr. VP of Human Resources.
CONGRATS TO 11 LIVE MÁS WINNERS
Check out which of our team members are receiving a financial boost this year to pursue their greatest passions! Thanks to Taco Bell Foundation, 11 of our own at DRG have been awarded Live Más Scholarships. View our celebrated list of winners here.
In addition, we’re extra proud of Live Más winner and [position] Gracie Salazar, who was selected by the Foundation to represent this year’s scholar reveals. In her passionate application video, Gracie, whose career interest is sports management, likens herself to a female Davante Adams — the Foundation heard this shout out and felt she should Davante at spring training camp!
