Todd Mills, a visionary who became part of Taco Bell’s billion-dollar Doritos Locos Tacos idea, died on Thanksgiving after battling brain cancer. He was 41.
Friends and family took to social media and posted photos of themselves eating the tacos, his wife, Ginger Mills, told USA Today.
“It was a sweet memorial,” she said.
Shortly after Frito-Lay rejected his big idea in 2009, Mr. Mills started the Facebook page “Taco Shells from Doritos Movement,” asking fans to “tell Frito-Lay that we demand nacho cheesy taco shells!”
One day, Taco Bell commented on one of his photos, and in 2012, he received a phone call from Taco Bell to fly out to its test kitchen in California. The Doritos Locos Tacos had been born.
“We know this is a tragic time for Todd’s family. He was a huge Taco Bell fan,” Taco Bell said in a statement to The Washington Times. “He was passionate about the Doritos Locos Taco, and although he did not invent it, he founded a Facebook page to drum up support.
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“In light of his passion, we invited him to be one of the first to try it. He became a true friend of the brand, so when we learned of his ill health, we made a $1,000 donation towards his medical expenses. We will miss Todd very much and our hearts are with his family and friends in this difficult time,” the statement said.
Mr. Mills is survived by his wife and daughters, Tyler, 19, and Lainey, 6.
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
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