Business Wars

Taco Bell vs Chipotle | Demolition Man | 1

12 snips
Oct 5, 2022
John Martin, former CEO of Taco Bell, dives into the intense competition of the fast-food industry. He shares his bold marketing strategies to revive Taco Bell's sales amid rising rival Chipotle. With a creative metaphor comparing market share to meringue pie, Martin discusses how Taco Bell's innovative menu aimed to disrupt the status quo. The challenges of declining sales and the contrasting approaches of Taco Bell and Chipotle create a captivating narrative highlighting the evolution of fast food.
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ANECDOTE

Pie-Smashing Stunt

  • In 1984, John Martin, Taco Bell's CEO, used a pie-smashing stunt during a franchisee meeting.
  • This symbolized Taco Bell's ambition to challenge bigger fast-food rivals like McDonald's.
INSIGHT

Taco Bell's Challenges

  • Despite its initial success, Taco Bell faced challenges like declining sales and low brand awareness.
  • Most Americans were unfamiliar with Mexican food, and experts predicted Taco Bell's demise.
ANECDOTE

Pizazz Pizza's Introduction

  • In 1985, Taco Bell introduced the Pizazz Pizza, a Mexican-inspired pizza, to attract wary customers.
  • This aimed to familiarize people with Taco Bell's flavors in a more approachable format.
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