In 1962, Taco Bell was founded in Downey, California, by Glen Bell, a successful entrepreneur who had previously run several other restaurants. Bell's decision to sell tacos set him apart from rival fast-food competitors, such as McDonald's, who sold more traditional fast-food fare of burgers and fries, per Britannica.

Taco Bell's original menu offered just four Mexican-inspired food items (tacos, burritos, frijoles, and tostadas), as well as one standard American-food option, but with a twist, the chili burger. The menu was also quite affordable, with each item priced at just 19 cents (the equivalent of about $1.91 today, per CPI Inflation Calculator).

Throughout the '80s, Taco Bell focused on expanding its menu offerings, adding new favorites like the Taco Salad and Taco Bell Grande. In the '90s, Taco Bell launched its first-ever value menu, charging just 49 cents for a taco, 79 cents for a Supreme taco, and 99 cents for a Big Beef taco; today, it has yet to show signs of slowing down its menu innovation.