– BORDER FOODS –

A TACO BELL FRANCHISEE

  • Border Foods Gives Back Big with Community Grants

    Border Foods Gives Back Big with Community Grants

    Each year, the Taco Bell Foundation awards millions of dollars in the form of community grants. These grants are distributed among youth-serving organizations in areas where Taco Bell does business. Specifically, funds are dedicated to expanding youth access to academic mentorship, career exploration, financial literacy and more.

    We believe that empowering young people is one of the most meaningful ways we can invest in the future.

    Lisa Lane Cardin, Executive Director of the Taco Bell Foundation

    Border’s Big Impact

    This was a record-breaking year for the Taco Bell Foundation, and we were excited to be part of it. Border Foods awarded over $3 million of the $28 million total raised!

    These funds were made possible thanks to the generous contributions of guests, Taco Bell team members and franchisee owners. But just how does it all come together? 

    A Little ata Time

    We spoke with a couple of Border team members to learn more about the fundraising process. They shared that “rounding up” — the practice of asking guests when checking out if they’d like to round up their total to the next dollar (with the extra funds going straight to the Taco Bell Foundation) — is responsible for a huge portion of the money that’s raised each year. 

    Aaron Engler, our CEO & President, explained that we’ll see the impact of the funds that were raised right here in our communities. Rather than going to one centralized location, the money that each Taco Bell franchisee generates goes to local organizations of their choosing in the areas that surround their restaurants.

    Giving back to the communities we operate in has always been important

    Mollie Sommer, Community Engagement Specialist

    Uplifting Youth

    We spoke with Max Thao, Program Director at the Boys & Girls Clubs East Side, which is one of the many local organizations that will benefit from a Taco Bell Foundation community grant. He shared that that the money they receive will be dedicated to improving the organization’s college and career readiness programming, helping prepare participants for the real world outside of high school and beyond.

    In addition to local Boys & Girls Clubs, we were thrilled to present checks to a number of nearby Junior Achievement organizations, the YMCA of Rapid City, SD and more.

    A huge thank you to everyone who helped make this generosity possible!

    Please note: In order to make a larger impact in some markets, Border’s giving was combined with funds raised by fellow franchisee owners in surrounding areas.

    Border Foods

  • Hello World

    Hello World

    We recently sat down with Vince Bosscher, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Border Foods, to discuss his reflections on his first year in the role, the challenges he has faced, and his vision for the company’s future.

    I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, I can’t believe that you’ve been there for five years! And here I am, my 30 years!

    — Paige Turner, Team Member

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    Looking back on his first year as COO, Vince highlights the accomplishment of assembling a robust above-store leadership team. “We promoted two new Directors, two Region Coaches, and eight Area Coaches. ” he says. “Getting this team together has been a great accomplishment.”

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    Looking back on his first year as COO, Vince highlights the accomplishment of assembling a robust above-store leadership team. “We promoted two new Directors, two Region Coaches, and eight Area Coaches. ” he says. “Getting this team together has been a great accomplishment.”

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    Looking back on his first year as COO, Vince highlights the accomplishment of assembling a robust above-store leadership team. “We promoted two new Directors, two Region Coaches, and eight Area Coaches. ” he says. “Getting this team together has been a great accomplishment.”

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    Looking back on his first year as COO, Vince highlights the accomplishment of assembling a robust above-store leadership team. “We promoted two new Directors, two Region Coaches, and eight Area Coaches. ” he says. “Getting this team together has been a great accomplishment.”

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    Looking back on his first year as COO, Vince highlights the accomplishment of assembling a robust above-store leadership team. “We promoted two new Directors, two Region Coaches, and eight Area Coaches. ” he says. “Getting this team together has been a great accomplishment.”

    The biggest thing I’ve learned is to bring as many smart people around me as possible.

    – Vince Bosscher, COO

    Navigating Challenges

    The past year wasn’t without its difficulties. “The biggest challenge has been the cost of doing business,” Vince explains. “Cost of goods is higher, and financially it’s harder to perform. We had to look at managing more effectively—from labor to productivity and how we manage cost of goods.” One of the significant initiatives Vince introduced is the annual operating plan with three strategic pillars. “We didn’t used to have that,” he notes. “Planning it out and sharing it with our team in the field has been a big part of what we’ve accomplished.”

    Fostering Inclusivity and Consistency

    Reflecting on his perception of the role, Vince acknowledges its magnitude. “It’s a big job that affects a lot of lives,” he says. “Collaborating with other departments—HR, finance, training—is essential.”

    The biggest thing I’ve learned is to bring as many smart people around me as possible.

    Vince is proud of initiatives that promote inclusivity and diversity. “We started a women in leadership group called EmpowHER,” he shares. “It’s a group of women meeting regularly to invest in their leadership and work on projects within the company.” He also emphasizes the importance of consistency in company culture. “We like to say consistency is the gateway to fairness,” Vince explains. “Being consistent in how we operate and treat people is crucial.” Feedback from his team has influenced Vince’s focus on leadership development. “They’ve asked us to keep investing in leadership,” he says. “We’ve done more leadership training this year than ever before, starting in the first quarter and continuing throughout the year.”

    Vision for the Future

    Looking ahead to 2025 and beyond, Vince outlines his vision for the company. “Our vision statement is ‘Shaping the Future,’” he reveals. “It’s about investing in people’s leadership—from team members to RGMs—because they are the ones who will shape the future of Border Foods for the next 10, 20 years and beyond.” The three pillars of the 2025 operating plan are:

    • Empowerment
    • Operational Excellence
    • Financial Leadership

    As he reflects on the past year, Vince expresses deep appreciation for his team. “They have been amazing, going after every goal we set in 2024 and reaching it. All their hard work has really paid off,“ he says.

    “I just absolutely love working for Border Foods, and the team I get to work with is incredible.” — Vince Bosscher, COO

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  • Border Foods Gives Back: Community Grants Program

    Each year, the Taco Bell Foundation donates money to youth-serving organizations in areas where Taco Bell does business. These contributions are made possible by generous customers, Taco Bell team members and franchise owners to support local charities.

    Funds raised in local communities stay in local communities, bolstering the impactful work our partners are doing every day. -Taco Bell Foundation

    Border Foods is honored to be a recipient of the Foundation’s community grants! With restaurants in six states, our giving is spread out across the country. While geographically diverse, one theme remains the same: We want to serve our communities through generosity. We’re so much more than tacos!

    As leaders in the QSR industry, it’s our responsibility to give where we can and support our communities.

    Mollie Sommer, Community Engagement & Outreach Specialist

    Our favorite local organizations received over $1.6 million in community grants. In total, Taco Bell Foundation gave out $23 million in grants! Below is a breakdown of the distribution of funds to our favorite local organizations. Thank you to all who helped make giving back possible!

     

     

    Border Foods

  • Volunteering in Our Communities

    Volunteering in Our Communities

    It’s a tradition we can’t get enough of: getting Border Foods leaders out of our restaurants and into the community for some hands-on volunteering. Enjoy highlights from an active 2023 holiday season across the markets!

    “We try to get involved with organizations that we already have relationships with through the Taco Bell Foundation,” says Community Outreach Specialist Mollie Sommer. Proximity to our restaurants is obviously key.

    Volunteering for organizations that already receive grants from the Foundation gives our Area Coaches (ACs) and managers the chance to engage directly with those who benefit from our year-round Round Up fundraising at the register. 

    Volunteering “freshens it up,” gets our people doing something out of the norm for a couple of hours.

    Spotlight on Sioux Falls, SD

    Border Foods has been volunteering during the holidays for the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Sioux Empire since 2015. In December, a small team of our volunteers stopped by the club to read stories and work on art projects with local youth. In recent years, costumes have added to our fun — Assistant General Manager (AGM) Nick Ragsdale from Mitchell, SD, dressed up to become “Saint Nick” and handed out treats to the kids.

    I love the focus on youth and building the future for all these great kids.

    Steve Spindler, New Area Coach

    Boys & Girls All Around

    Border Foods teams volunteered at 10 Boys & Girls Clubs in 2023, including the Sioux Empire club. AC Jenn Coleman sums up the benefit to kids perfectly: “They get direct interaction with an adult who cares about them and helps them do fun things!” 

    Check out all of our other stops during the 2023 holiday season:

    Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County

    Boys & Girls Clubs of Grand Rapids

    Boys & Girls Clubs of the Mississippi Valley

    Boys & Girls Club of the Muskegon Lakeshore

    Boys & Girls Clubs of the Northland

    Boys & Girls Club of Rockford

    Boys & Girls Clubs of Twin Cities

    Boys & Girls Clubs Yellowstone County

    Our team had a blast with the kids!

    Jenn Coleman, Area Coach

    In addition to making an impression on our local youth in various markets, helping out with holiday crafts and playing basketball, we also sent teams of volunteers to:

    Feed My Starving Children (FMSC)

    St. Cloud Salvation Army

    Border Foods