8 Bizarre Rules Taco Bell Employees Have to Follow — Eat This Not That

By Ghuman

Introduction

Taco Bell is one of the most popular fast food chains in the United States. But did you know that Taco Bell employees have to follow some pretty bizarre rules? From strict dress codes to no eating on the job, Taco Bell employees have to abide by some pretty strange rules. In this article, we’ll take a look at 8 of the most bizarre rules Taco Bell employees have to follow. From no eating on the job to no talking about religion, these rules may surprise you. So, let’s dive in and take a look at 8 of the most bizarre rules Taco Bell employees have to follow.

8 Bizarre Rules Taco Bell Employees Have to Follow

Taco Bell is one of the most popular fast-food chains in the United States, and it’s no surprise that they have some pretty strict rules for their employees. From dress codes to customer service policies, Taco Bell employees have to follow a lot of rules. Here are 8 of the most bizarre rules Taco Bell employees have to follow.

1. No Visible Tattoos

Taco Bell has a strict policy when it comes to tattoos. Employees are not allowed to have any visible tattoos while on the job. This means that any tattoos must be covered up with clothing or makeup. This rule is in place to ensure that customers are not put off by any visible tattoos.

2. No Eating on the Job

Taco Bell employees are not allowed to eat while on the job. This rule is in place to ensure that employees are focused on their work and not distracted by food. Employees are allowed to take breaks to eat, but they must do so away from the restaurant.

3. No Cell Phones

Taco Bell employees are not allowed to use their cell phones while on the job. This rule is in place to ensure that employees are focused on their work and not distracted by their phones. Employees are allowed to take breaks to use their phones, but they must do so away from the restaurant.

4. No Excessive Talking

Taco Bell employees are not allowed to talk excessively while on the job. This rule is in place to ensure that employees are focused on their work and not distracted by talking. Employees are allowed to take breaks to talk, but they must do so away from the restaurant.

5. No Unauthorized Discounts

Taco Bell employees are not allowed to give out unauthorized discounts. This rule is in place to ensure that customers are not given discounts that they are not entitled to. Employees are allowed to give out discounts that are authorized by the company, but they must do so in accordance with company policy.

6. No Unauthorized Modifications

Taco Bell employees are not allowed to make unauthorized modifications to orders. This rule is in place to ensure that customers are not given food that is not what they ordered. Employees are allowed to make modifications that are authorized by the company, but they must do so in accordance with company policy.

7. No Unauthorized Samples

Taco Bell employees are not allowed to give out unauthorized samples. This rule is in place to ensure that customers are not given food that they have not paid for. Employees are allowed to give out samples that are authorized by the company, but they must do so in accordance with company policy.

8. No Unauthorized Refunds

Taco Bell employees are not allowed to give out unauthorized refunds. This rule is in place to ensure that customers are not given refunds that they are not entitled to. Employees are allowed to give out refunds that are authorized by the company, but they must do so in accordance with company policy.

Taco Bell employees have to follow a lot of rules, and some of them can be pretty bizarre. From dress codes to customer service policies, Taco Bell employees have to follow a lot of rules to ensure that customers are satisfied with their experience. The 8 rules listed above are just a few of the many rules that Taco Bell employees have to follow.

Taco Bell has been serving up its decidedly American take on Mexican food since 1962, and today the chain boasts nearly 8,000 locations spread across more than 30 nations, according to Statista. How has the restaurant done so well over all those years? Very low-cost menu items definitely have something to do with it.

But another reason for Taco Bell’s success is the chain’s adaptability and innovation. Taco Bell has long been recognized as a brand willing to try new products, launch playful, clever marketing campaigns, and respond to customer feedback, according to Fast Company. Taco Bell’s employees, however, don’t always enjoy the benefits of such flexibility and playfulness in their workplace. In fact, workers there are compelled to follow quite a few bizarre rules. Plus, don’t miss 8 Secrets Taco Bell Doesn’t Want You to Know.

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According to a Taco Bell manager who shared behind-the-scenes insights with Thrillist, Taco Bell food workers (who are called “Food Champions,” by the way) are required to weigh every menu item, thus ensuring uniformity of product. If a given item is off by more than 0.3 ounces (say a soft taco that should weigh 1.6 ounces weighs 1.3, for example), it must be discarded and a new one supplied in its place.

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A worker on a break from a shift at Taco Bell is free to leave the premises for the duration of his or her time off. That is, provided the employee has not purchased some Taco Bell food at a discounted price. According to Inc., if a worker buys himself or herself discounted food, the person must stay on the property to eat it despite being on a break.

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Often employees feel so comfortable at work and so enjoy the company of their coworkers they will hang out at the workplace even when not on the clock. But according to a Taco Bell Handbook, this is not OK for Taco Bell staff. When off the clock, Taco Bell employees are expected to be off the premises.

RELATED: 8 Secrets Burger King Doesn’t Want You to Know

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If a Taco Bell is reeling in the cash shortly before closing time, employees are often compelled to keep the restaurant open later than the posted closing time, not to mention the planned end of their shift, according to a store manager who shared via Reddit. In his experience if a store made just $75 in the hour before a planned closing time, its workers then had to keep it open for another half hour.

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u/jayellkay84 / Reddit

While the rules governing those beloved Taco Bell sauce packets can vary from franchise to franchise, in general, the rule is one sauce packet (and one napkin) per each menu item a customer orders, according to a Reddit thread. The good news is that while Taco Bell employees are limited in their initial sauce dispensing, they’re allowed to hand over more for free if a customer asks.

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It would make sense were workers discouraged from bringing a competitor’s food to work at a restaurant location where customers could see it, but the Taco Bell Support Center? It seems downright odd that workers at this private location are banned from bringing in any restaurant’s food save for Taco Bell, but according to a post in a Reddit thread, that’s the fact. The poster went on to say: “The best part was that the trash cans in the parking structure were always filled with competitor’s food bags after lunch.”

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When a worker is making a Taco Bell menu item, it’s not good enough to use all the right ingredients, according to Thrillist—the employee must build the menu item in a precise order. That might mean beef, then cheese, then lettuce, as opposed to cheese, then beef, then lettuce, and so on. The rule ensures the foods always look the same from day to day and store to store.

taco bell belt
u/beesarefuckingdying / Reddit

A dress code or uniform is hardly unusual at chain restaurants—indeed it would be stranger to see a fast-food restaurant without some form of dress code than one with very strict rules. But a branded belt? That came as a surprise, but it’s right there in the employee handbook, workers must wear a Taco Bell belt while on the clock at the restaurant. The good news is that the belt, and the rest of the uniform, will be provided.

RELATED: 8 Bizarre Rules Coca-Cola Employees Have to Follow

Steven John

Steven John is a freelancer writer for Eat This, Not That! based just outside New York City. Read more