Sean Tresvant Becomes First Black CEO For Taco Bell

Sean Tresvant has been promoted as the first Black person as Taco Bell's CEO.

Tresvant is being elevated from Taco Bell's global chief brand and strategy officer, according to Business Wire.

Tresvant will begin his new position effective Jan. 1, 2024. He will take the place of Mark King. As the new CEO, he will report to Chief Executive Director David Gibbs of Yum! Brands, Inc. -- Taco Bell's parent company.

Tresvant's main role as the lead executive will be "to drive the fast-food chain's global growth strategy, overall business performance, and franchise operations."

"Sean is a visionary business leader and best-in-class brand builder who is driving transformative R.E.D. omni-channel initiatives to digital customer touchpoints, to accelerate growth and further elevate and differentiate the Taco Bell fan and team member experience," Gibbs said in a press release.

It didn't take long for Tresvant to rise either. He started with Taco Bell in 2022 as the global brand officer. He was then promoted to an expanded role, which included the brand's strategic framework.

Amid his time, he paved the way for monumental cultural moments that supported the brand's mission as well as the reputation. This work included the return of the Mexican pizza.

"The love our fans and team members have for Taco Bell is extraordinary and means we're in a unique position to push the limits on culture and become a brand that inspires and enables the world to Live Mas," Tresvant said.

Tresvant had already brought more than 15 years of leadership to the table thanks to working with other global brands such as Nike.

According to BlackExec.com, he led the Diversity Task Force at Nike, pushing and executing in bringing in the Jordan Brand's Black Community Commitment Committee to life thanks to "real talk" chats.

Born and raised in the greater Seattle, Washington area, Tresvant is an avid Seahawks and Mariners fan, hoping to see the SuperSonics return to Seattle. He achieved his MBA from Seattle University and his BA and MA in Communications from Washington State University -- a place he also competed in basketball in for the Cougars.

Tresvant also has two children, is an art collector and a sports enthusiast