Assistant General Manager (AGM) Sara Castellanos has worked at our Apple Valley, MN Taco Bell for nearly 19 years. She was on a job hunt when she discovered our opening, and was hired the same day she applied! “And here I am! Still working at Apple Valley,” she says.
As you might imagine, there’ve been a lot of changes during the course of Sara’s impressive tenure — the addition of digital menu boards being one example.
“I’m learning every single day,” – Sara Castellanos, AGM
TRAINING THE NEXT GENERATION
When Sara was new on the job, she herself was trained using textbooks, but now training courses are all online. Today, Sara is in charge of Border Foods’ Learning Zone, used to train new hires in the restaurant. Maybe she’s found her passion!
“I love training people. I love to show them what I’ve been learning in the company for all these years,” she says.
Sara finds it rewarding to share her knowledge with others. “It’s exciting for me that they learn something from me,” she says. “It’s really nice.”
“You need to love what you’re doing, otherwise you’re not going to be successful.”- Sara Castellanos, AGM
FINDING WORK-LIFE BALANCE
Sara was hired as a Team Member, then moved up the ranks to Team Trainer, followed by Shift Lead, before being promoted to the AGM role. “I love the company,” she says. One of Sara’s favorite benefits is the flexible schedule.
Sara lives with her parents in a house she was able to purchase using money she earned working overtime in her current position. Caring for her 85-year-old mom and 82-year-old dad means flexibility is key. Sara doesn’t work night shifts, allowing her to be at home with her parents. “That helps me a lot,” she says.
After nearly two decades with us, Sara has no plans to move on anytime soon. “In the moment, I enjoy what I do,” she says. And we enjoy having you as part of the team!
