For Destiny G., it Always Comes Back to Tacos
Restaurant Training Manager (RTM) Destiny G. says she’s transitioned away from Summerwood twice. First, to attend college; a few years later, because she thought she’d like to work somewhere else. But somehow, Destiny always finds her way back to tacos!
“The future is limitless …” -Destiny G., RTM
“I originally wanted to be a teacher,” she shares. “I went to college for one semester and when I went to go do my taxes … I [saw] that I made more as a manager part-time at Taco Bell than I was going to make as a teacher. So I dropped out of school.”
“I was like, I’m just going to put all my eggs in this basket,” she says of returning to Taco Bell. “It was the best decision I made … I don’t regret it at all.”
Tween Ties to Tacos
Destiny’s connection with Taco Bell goes way back. She and her stepdad had a weekly tradition; every Tuesday, they’d go to their local Taco Bell to bond over dinner.
“We would go get a 12-pack of tacos, talk about our week,” she recounts. Once Destiny turned 15, she says Taco Bell was the only place that would hire someone her age.
Destiny landed her first job in February 2014 as Service Champion at our Blackwood, NJ location, bagging nachos and cinnamon twists. Like many teenagers, she liked having a paycheck and being able to pay for things herself. She began taking on additional responsibility, climbing up the career ladder.
When Destiny became a Shift Leader, she says it came naturally to her. At 20, she left for a few months to work at a bagel place – and says she regretted it right away.
“I was just like, maybe this isn’t for me after all,” she remembers. “It was stressful … [but] there’s stress at every job. And it’s just how you handle it.”
Destiny admits that what was missing was definitely the support. “Even though Taco Bell is stressful, we have the support to kind of ease out of it,” she explains. She couldn’t wait to get back to making tacos!
Not long after returning, Destiny was tapped to become an Associate RGM (ARM) and then eventually, a manager. Today, she serves as a RTM of our Deptford, NJ Taco Bell.
“I feel like I could have been an RGM at 19 instead of 22 if I just realized then that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side,” she reflects. “It’s definitely ‘greener’ where you have the support.”
At Summerwood, we pride ourselves on providing the people we employ with best-in-class training and support. And we acknowledge that personal growth is a part of the process.
Destiny hopes to one day become an Area Coach, but also has a passion for marketing and training. “Anything to build my capabilities,” she remarks. The Summerwood Academy will help her get there.
A Family Affair
For Destiny, there have been a lot of helpful learnings along the way: every job comes with stress; it’s best not to take things personally; and no matter what, guests should leave happy.
While she’s grown with us, so has her team! Destiny says it’s a large group today, many of whom have been with her for several years now. Interestingly, she supervises her four younger siblings, too – Marshall, Paul, Shane and Serenity.
“I love my team so much.” -Destiny G., RTM
How does that work? They’ve had to set boundaries. At work, Destiny is not their sister, she’s the boss.
“It’s just like a family affair … we just all love Taco Bell!” she admits.
Speaking of family, Destiny’s devotion to Taco Bell has been passed down to the next generation, her kids.
“It’s the only thing I could stomach when I was pregnant,” she says. “Throughout my pregnancy, we did Taco Bell every week or every month.”
She talks about having Taco Bell pictures and a Taco Bell gender reveal. “Everything was definitely taco-related,” Destiny says of that period in her life.
When her youngest was born, it wasn’t long before she was given her first taco – and it was love at first bite.
“In the morning, her new thing now is like, ‘I want to stay home and eat tacos,’” Destiny shares. “How do you say no to that?”
Bring on the Fun
Destiny and the Deptford team have made it their mission to make their restaurant a fun place to work.
“I might not be 19 anymore, but I do remember being a teenager,” she says. “I like to make it an environment where people actually look forward to coming in.”
Together, they make TikTok videos, and organize events like Tacos with Santa and Taco Olympics.
“My team really, really loves it,” she shares of their social media activities. Not everyone likes to be on camera, so some team members generate the ideas and let the rest of the crew take it from there.
Community Minded
One of Destiny’s goals heading into the last quarter of 2026 is to turn the focus outward.
“I just want to give back … focus on other people.” -Destiny G., RTM
“I focus on my people every day,” she says. “I want my store, my people, my company to give back to the community.”
And it’s already happening! On Tuesdays, the Deptford team likes to hand out a 12-pack of tacos at random. If it’s not to a guest, they’ll take it to the police or fire department.
It’s a great way to continue spreading a lifelong love for tacos. Seems like it’s destiny!