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Glen W. Bell Jr., an entrepreneur best known as the founder of the Taco Bell chain, has died. He was 86.

Bell died Sunday at his home in Rancho Santa Fe, according to a statement posted Monday on the Taco Bell Web site.

Bell launched his first restaurant, called Bell’s Drive-In, in 1948 in San Bernardino after seeing the success of McDonald’s Bar-B-Que, the predecessor of McDonald’s, which was founded in the same city in 1940. Like McDonald’s, Bell’s restaurant sought to take advantage of Southern California’s car culture by serving hamburgers and hot dogs through drive-in windows.

Bell launched Taco Bell in 1962 in Downey after cutting ties with his business partners and quickly expanding around Los Angeles.

Bell is survived by his wife, Martha, three sisters, two sons, a daughter and four grandchildren. *VIA The Associated Press*

I sure thank him for the Taco Bell chain, I know I love it! I send my condolences to his family and friends… RIP Glen W. Bell Jr.