An employee of a Taco Bell franchisee has become the first crewmember to earn a high school diploma through the chain’s continuing-education program, and some 200 others are scheduled to get $1,295 in funding by the end of 2015 to earn higher degrees.
The Career Online High School program, which makes online education available to qualifying employees of franchisees or company-run units, is a collaboration with the distance-learning specialist ed2go. The program was adopted by Taco Bell in 2012. It starts with earning a high school diploma. Taco Bell offers financial assistance to help the graduates continue their education through college-level online classes.
The first employee to earn a diploma under the program, Stephen Irvine of Rapid City, S.D., was honored with a full graduation ceremony at the Taco Bell where he works. Irvine has enrolled in a local cosmetology class to continue his education.
Members help make our journalism possible. Become a Restaurant Business member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.