🌮 Doritos Locos Tacos: The Cheesy Mashup That Saved Taco Bell | 21

In short

This episode of "The Best Idea Yet" explores the story behind Taco Bell's Doritos Locos Tacos, a product that revolutionized the fast-food industry and became a social media sensation. The hosts discuss the origins of Taco Bell, its rise to fame, and its struggles in the 2000s. They then delve into the development of the Doritos Locos Tacos, highlighting the challenges faced by Taco Bell's food innovation team. The episode concludes with a discussion about the impact of the product on Taco Bell's business and the future of the company.

Key takeaways

• The Doritos Locos Tacos were a massive success for Taco Bell, generating over $1 billion in sales in just two years.
• The product's success was driven by a combination of a brilliant product and a smart social media strategy.
• Taco Bell embraced customer-generated content, which helped to create a buzz around the product and drive sales.
• The Doritos Locos Tacos are a prime example of how brand collaborations can be successful when the right ingredients are in place.
• The episode highlights the importance of writing down ideas, no matter how wacky or impossible they may seem, as you never know when they might become a reality.

Chapters

1. 00:00

   The Doritos Locos Taco: A Culinary Masterpiece?

   The episode begins with a discussion about the amount of time and effort that goes into creating dishes at Michelin-starred restaurants. The hosts then transition to the topic of Taco Bell's Doritos Locos Tacos, arguing that the product, despite its simple ingredients, is a more impressive culinary feat than the complex dishes at high-end restaurants.

2. 01:45

   The Birth of Taco Bell

   The hosts discuss the history of Taco Bell, starting with its founder Glen Bell and his inspiration from a mom-and-pop Mexican restaurant called the Mitla Cafe. Glen Bell was inspired by the restaurant's hard-shell tacos and decided to incorporate them into his own burger joint.

3. 04:45

   Taco Bell's Rise to Fame

   Glen Bell's taco venture was a success, and he eventually sold Taco Bell to PepsiCo for $125 million. The hosts discuss the company's growth and its acquisition of Pizza Hut and KFC, which led to the creation of Yum! Brands.

4. 08:00

   Taco Bell's Midlife Crisis

   The hosts discuss Taco Bell's struggles in the 2000s, including a food scandal and declining sales. They then introduce Greg Creed, the CEO who spearheaded the Doritos Locos Tacos launch.

5. 11:00

   The Doritos Locos Tacos: A Culinary Challenge

   The hosts discuss the development of the Doritos Locos Tacos, highlighting the challenges faced by Taco Bell's food innovation team. They describe the extensive research and development process, including the creation of a special tumbler to evenly coat the taco shells with Doritos seasoning.

6. 16:00

   The Doritos Locos Tacos: A Social Media Sensation

   The hosts discuss the launch of the Doritos Locos Tacos and its immediate success. They highlight the role of social media in driving the product's popularity and the company's decision to embrace customer-generated content.

7. 20:00

   The Legacy of the Doritos Locos Tacos

   The hosts discuss the impact of the Doritos Locos Tacos on Taco Bell's business and the future of the company. They also discuss the importance of brand collaborations and the need for the right timing to make them successful.

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