SPRING HAS ARRIVED
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Dear DRG Family,
{COMING SOON}
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 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.
BOOST DRG CARES FUND TO SUPPORT CO-WORKERS IN CRISIS
At DRG, we show up for our people, we’re like family. And you experience this every day!
Did you know that when life throws that unexpected curve ball — a medical emergency, financial hardship, caregiving, loss of a loved one — you can turn to your work family?
As a company, we’re proud to have an established emergency assistance program in place called DRG Cares. Since its 2017 founding, DRG Cares has awarded over $500,000 to team members facing tough times!
This benefit is about creating a safety net that extends beyond the restaurant, and ensures none of our co-workers face life’s challenges alone.
This year, we’ve set a lofty goal: Replenish the fund with $250,000! To kick things off, CEO and President SG Ellison and Chairman David Grieve have each committed to match team member donations* up to $50,000!
If every employee donates just a quarter per paycheck, that’s already $55,000/year!
Accept the challenge, DRG. Be the difference in someone’s life.
Every contribution helps!
*Donations are tax-deductible.
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!
