Sofia Hernandez is as loyal as they come, having devoted her entire career to Taco Bell. She celebrates 43 years with the Brand in May! Sofia says she could retire, but she’s not at all interested in giving up work just yet. “I don’t want to,” she says. “I really love my job. I love the people I help.”
“I just love helping others.” -Sofia Hernandez, Office Manager
When Sofia joined as a crew member in 1981, there were only seven Taco Bells in Nevada. Today, there are 80. She has worked every position in the restaurant setting and eventually became an Area Coach (AC). When our COO, Todd Kelly, approached her in 2016 about an office manager opening at DRG’s Restaurant Support Center (RSC) in Las Vegas, she agreed to give it a try.
Turns out, She was the perfect person for the job! While Sofia ensures the RSC (with over 50 in-person employees) runs efficiently, she also handles essential tasks like obtaining business licenses for new Taco Bells and pulling permits for existing restaurants. She says she does whatever she can to “help the brand look good.”
PAYBACK IS A BLESSING
For Sofia, the greatest satisfaction comes from seeing people she’s hired and trained continue to grow and succeed. She calls this her “payback!”
Sofia’s humility and selfless devotion to others’ development is awe-inspiring; it’s no wonder she’s one of this year’s Women’s Leadership Network (WLN) cohorts.
“I am proud to be a woman and a leader.” -Sofia Hernandez, Office Manager
Sofia explains why she decided to apply for WLN and what it’s been like all these years to be a woman in the male-dominated Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) industry. “I was able to prove to the company that the job men can do, I can do,” she says. “I feel that the experience that I have and what I went through, it can help somebody else.”
At DRG, we celebrate women like Sofia, RGM Erika and AC Alma Morales who show grit and determination, and are fearless leaders in our company!
