# Tacala, LLC

> Tacala, LLC is a privately held multi-unit restaurant operator based in Vestavia Hills, Alabama. Founded in 1989 with one Taco Bell in Columbiana, Alabama, it has grown into the largest Taco Bell franchisee in the United States, operating more than 380 restaurants across seven Southeastern states and Texas. Its business combines scaled restaurant operations, new-unit development and acquisitions with an unusually visible employee-and-community infrastructure that includes Tacala Leadership University, company-funded GED support, scholarships, a hardship-relief fund and grants to youth-serving nonprofits.

- **Founded:** 1989
- **Headquarters:** Vestavia Hills, Alabama, United States
- **Founders:** Dick Reese (Co-founder), Don Ghareeb (Co-founder; Chairman Emeritus)
- **Team size:** 10,105 employees reported on Tacala's website; LinkedIn lists 5,001-10,000 employees.
- **Products:** Taco Bell restaurant operations, New restaurant development and acquisitions, Tacala Leadership University, Team Tacala Scholarships, Employee GED Program
- **Notable:** Grew from one Taco Bell in Columbiana, Alabama, to more than 380 locations., Expanded from 162 restaurants in 2012 to more than 360 by 2024 while more than quadrupling earnings, according to Altamont Capital Partners., Became the largest Taco Bell franchisee in the United States.

## Products & services

- **Taco Bell restaurant operations** — Ownership and operation of more than 380 licensed Taco Bell quick-service restaurants across seven states in the Southeast and Texas.
- **New restaurant development and acquisitions** — Site development, restaurant openings and acquisition-led expansion supported by multi-unit operating systems.
- **Tacala Leadership University** — Classes for Shift Leaders, Restaurant Leaders and Area Coaches covering leadership, team building, communication, customer service and business skills.
- **Team Tacala Scholarships** — Company- and fundraiser-supported scholarships for employees graduating high school or attending college or vocational school.
- **Employee GED Program** — A company-funded path for employees to earn GED certification.
- **Star Fund** — A 501(c)(3) employee-assistance fund offering grants for eligible hardship events and essential immediate living expenses.
- **Community grants** — Local funding and volunteer support for teen-serving nonprofit organizations through Team Tacala Charities and the Taco Bell Foundation.

## Achievements

- Grew from one Taco Bell in Columbiana, Alabama, to more than 380 locations.
- Expanded from 162 restaurants in 2012 to more than 360 by 2024 while more than quadrupling earnings, according to Altamont Capital Partners.
- Became the largest Taco Bell franchisee in the United States.
- Built a workforce reported at 10,105 employees across seven states.
- Awarded 890 total scholarships according to the company's current homepage.
- Built relationships with 52 community partners and distributed more than $3.5 million in grants and donations since 2002.
- Helped 65 employees earn GED certificates since launching its company-funded program in 2019.

## Latest updates

- **2026-02** — A franchise-industry profile described Tacala's combined Taco Bell and 7 Brew growth platform and said roughly half of franchise growth since the Altamont partnership had come through acquisitions and half through development.
- **2025-08** — Tacala appeared as a featured franchise organization in the Taco Bell Foundation's 2025 annual-report coverage of a record community-grant year.
- **2025-02** — Team Tacala Charities published updated Star Fund eligibility and administration information for employee hardship grants.
- **2024-08** — Altamont closed an oversubscribed continuation vehicle led by Blue Owl Strategic Equity and Pantheon to extend its investment and fund further Taco Bell and 7 Brew growth.
- **2023-01** — Altamont and Tacala management formed a sister company to operate as a franchisee in the 7 Brew drive-through coffee system.

## Links

- Website: https://tacala.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tacalacompanies
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tacalacompanies
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TacalaCareers/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/tacala-llc
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-08-13