Taco Bell has collaborated with Brooklyn-based artist Ricard Gonzalez, better known as “It’s a Living” to create exclusive team member gear paying homage to the brand’s people-oriented culture, according to a press release.
The streetwear-inspired collection includes an exclusive shirt and hat with the saying “family is everything.” Taco Bell sent the collection to its team members earlier this month alongside a note from CEO Mark King.
“Spending time with restaurant team members over the years, I’ve found the one thing that stands out the most is the huge sense of pride and community,” Kelly McCulloch, global chief people and transformation officer, Taco Bell, said in the press release. “Each restaurant creates its own authentic culture, and yet there is still a sense of connection and belonging to the larger Taco Bell brand. This is what makes our restaurant experience truly special.”
“This collaboration is an exciting one for me as I have long been a fan of the brand,” Gonzalez said in the press release. “I admire Taco Bell’s commitment to its people and dedication to creating a positive impact through culture – that’s what my work is all about.”
The “It’s a Living” partnership is the second in an ongoing annual series of team member-driven collaborations. In 2022, Taco Bell partnered with Los Angeles-based streetwear brand Born X Raised on another merchandise collection for team members in honor of the brand’s 60th anniversary.
“I am energized and excited about partnering with yet another inspiring artist at the intersection of culture and style,” Taylor Montgomery, chief marketing officer, U.S., Taco Bell, said in the press release. “A community can often be found in the most unlikely places, and that’s what this collab is all about – recognizing the incredible community in our restaurants responsible for making the Taco Bell experience a unique one.”
