Taco Bell: Be People-First - Gamar I.
They Call Her Momma Gamar
Gamar I. - Restaurant General Manager, Taco Bell Canada Franchise Org. Redberry Restaurants
At Taco Bell, our Brand Values (Be People-First, Be Fan-Led, Be Fearless, Be Different) are found and reflected in everything we do. This season, we’re highlighting our core value, Be People-First. We can’t control what happens out in the world, but we can control the investments we make in our people. We consistently advance equity, inclusion and belonging at all levels of the organization, and many Taco Bell franchisees share these same principles. Look below to see how the Taco Bell Community embodies the Be People-First core value!
Gamar wanted a job in accounting for the longest time, so she left Sudan at 19 to study accounting in England. After returning to Sudan briefly to study finance, Gamar ended up in Canada to continue pursuing a higher education in accounting. Then, her aspirations changed dramatically.
“When I came to Canada, I could not find a job in the industry. So, I went back to college for three years to further my accounting background while working at Taco Bell as a Service Champion. I quickly realized that even though I only had three more levels of accounting left, I decided to change career paths because I loved everything about working at Taco Bell. This became my new dream job.”
Over the last 25 years, Gamar has progressed with the brand, from a Service Champion to Shift Lead for several different Franchise entities. Now, she sits as General Manager for Redberry Restaurants. She has trained dozens of Owners, Operators, Restaurant General Managers and Team Members, learning to work with different people and systems – which made her passion for meeting new people and training even stronger.
“From Team Members to guests, I am nothing without the people I've interacted with. Each person I’ve encountered has taught me new things, and at the same time, I’ve never felt more at home and supported... I’ve been able to see Team Members start in their teens, turn into young adults, and realize their dreams, which is so rewarding. I don’t have children of my own, but the restaurant teams have been, and are my family. Everyone calls me Momma Gamar.”
Although all the people around Gamar inspire her to be People-First, there are two specific people throughout her career that encouraged this mindset.
“My Senior District Manager, Natasha B., has empathy, compassion, and is consistently intentional about active listening. Her actions serve as a reminder that by focusing on the well-being and happiness of those around us, we can create a more supportive and inclusive environment where everyone thrives. In turn we can better serve our guests. My current manager, Dinesh, teaches me the same! So, all in all, because of these two people, I will continue to be people-first and inspire my staff to do the same.”
Whether it’s treating everyone equally or taking the time to understand someone's feelings, Gamar’s open-door policy applies to everyone who walks into her restaurant. As her peers like to say: She truly leads with her heart and has a judgement free zone. We feel proud to have Gamar as part of the Taco Bell community and can’t wait to see what she does next.
