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Taco Bell offers $100,000 salaries to restaurant managers

Fast food and six-figure salaries don’t usually go hand in hand, but Taco Bell is piloting a project to pay some restaurant managers in the United States $100,000.

The eye-popping salary, in an industry known for low pay and high turnover, is part of an aggressive HR strategy in a tight labour market. The chain also announced it is offering 24 hours of paid sick time per calendar year for all employees at corporate-owned restaurants.

“It’s no secret that Taco Bell marches to the beat of its own drum, and we provide our fans with unexpected experiences year after year,” said Mark King, Taco Bell CEO. “Our business growth in the last decade has positioned us to create change for good and implement creative solutions for our planet, our people and our food. We’re excited to shake things up and make 2020 even more about what matters most: our purpose.”

It is also offering education benefits and scholarships to workers, and is putting a bigger focus on sustainability by offering more vegetarian options and using more environmentally friendly packaging.

“Whether employees want to grow to run a $2 million business and oversee a team of 30 people or want to be the best team member they can be, Taco Bell offers something for everyone,” the company said in a press release. “Later this year, the brand will be testing a $100,000 annual salary for restaurant general managers of company-owned restaurants in select locations. For those who may not want to be in a manager role, the brand is introducing “Makers,” a program for restaurant team members who want to elevate their passion for the brand and want leadership experience.”

Job numbers released this morning showed a tightening U.S. labour market, with an unemployment rate of 3.5 per cent. It’s not clear if the wage and benefit policies will be rolled out at Canadian Taco Bell locations in 2020.