Fast food giant Taco Bell isn't one to ignore their humble beginnings. LA Curbed reported that they have moved the original Taco Bell that was originally in Downey, CA, to their corporate headquarters in Irvine, CA. This follows a previous report that the humble taco shack was in danger of being bulldozed -- and the international fast food chain was quick to save the first ever Taco Bell.
Taco Bell founder Glen Bell first built the original shack along Firestone Boulevard back in 1962, and it operated up until 1986. It marked the start of the business empire revolving inauthentic yet delicious Mexican fare. It has always been revered as a cultural landmark for the city of Downey, so the Downey Conservatory quickly called the attention of its citizens and set up a perimeter to protect the original Taco Bell from being taken down. They also named the 20 by 20 lot "endangered".
Taco Bell's CEO Brian Niccol got ahold of this information, and they have decided to move the entire structure to the HQ as a symbol of respect to founder Glen Bell. The CEO tells Los Angeles Magazine "We owe that to our fans. We owe that to Glen Bell." The original structure will be kept in storage once they have figured out where to install it on their Irvine lot. 'Numero Uno' also signifies that they aren't a company that ignores their roots -- and Niccol reflects by saying "to think a business like ours started with a walk-up window no bigger than a two-car garage is truly inspirational."