Interview

Secrets to Restaurant Success with Misa Järvinen of Restel, Taco Bell Finland

“We don’t just pass on higher costs to the customer. We closely track food costs and look for other solutions. It’s about delivering value without compromising on what our customers expect.”

Misa Järvinen
Head of Operations at Restel, Taco Bell Finland.

Misa is a food service operations maestro.

Her skill and passion ensure that the restaurants run like clockwork.

The proof? 15 years of experience working in fast casual dining and QSR.

Today Misa Järvinen is in charge of operations at Taco Bell Finland, operated by Restel Oy.

In The Food Service Growth Show, she talks about brand power and growth.

👀 Fast Facts about Taco Bell Finland

  • 17 locations: Taco Bell is expanding in Europe. Finland is the first Nordic country to welcome the brand.
  • Goals: Familiarise Europeans with Taco Bell’s offerings. Position tacos alongside hamburgers as a fast-food staple.

✨ Key Insights

  1. The Human Element: Taco Bell’s success hinges on its people. The brand’s strength lies in its crew and their connection with customers.
  2. Brand Alignment: Employees need the skills and a drive for excellent customer service.
  3. Leveraging Technology: Taco Bell leverages tech to streamline operations, allowing staff to focus on what matters.
  4. Feedback: Misa uses the feedback from staff and customers to continuously improve operations.
  5. Adapting to Local Preferences: Taco Bell maintains a global menu. Still, it adjusts for local tastes, like plant-based options in Finland, to align with dietary trends.
  6. Balancing Quality and Costs: Taco Bell faces changing food costs. Yet, it keeps menu prices stable. This shows a strong commitment to value and consistency.

“Success is about putting heart into every interaction”, Misa says.

🧪 Her focus on people, innovation, and quality, highlights Taco Bell’s strategy for success in a competitive industry.

Conclusion

💪 Misa started as a dishwasher and became a leader at Taco Bell, a global brand. Her path shows the power of passion, belief, and commitment to excellence in food service

👉 Discover how Taco Bell Finland updates the fast-food experience.

Geert Merckaert

Geert Merckaert is the Content and Research Director at Apicbase and the producer of The Food Service Growth Show. He specialises in operational excellence, sustainability, and digital transformation in the restaurant and catering industry. Geert has a diverse background in content marketing, writing, and research, with previous roles in corporate finance at Bank van Breda, food marketing at VLAM, and the trade association Bakkers Vlaanderen. He holds degrees in Communications and Journalism from Plantijnhogeschool, as well as Art History from the Kunsthistorisch Instituut. During his studies, Geert spent nine years working weekends as a restaurant chef. He is dedicated to helping foodservice companies achieve sustainable growth through engaging and insightful content.

Recent Posts

Top Strategies for Effective Restaurant Menu Management

Did you know a poorly managed menu could cost you thousands in wasted food and…

3 weeks ago

Buy or Build Software? How Leading CIOs Make The Right Call For Their Restaurants

As your company grows and market demands evolve, your current systems may struggle to keep…

1 month ago

Streamline Scope 3 Carbon Emissions Reporting In Foodservice Operations and Stay Compliant With CSRD 

The new CSRD regulations require large food service companies to report on Scope 3 emissions,…

2 months ago

Why Multi-Site Restaurants Need a Central Production Kitchen

Multi-unit restaurant operators continually work to reduce overhead costs, minimise food waste, and uphold brand…

2 months ago

Secrets to Restaurant Success with Isak Fagerholm, COO at Friends & Brgrs, Finland

Ever wonder what it takes to scale a small family-owned restaurant into a fast-growing chain—without…

2 months ago

How to Calculate Food Cost Percentage (Formula & Tips)

Next to labour costs and rent, food costs are the highest expense for every restaurant.…

2 months ago