Meet Melissa Guillen, General Manager (GM) of our Crestwood, IL Taco Bell. She’s been with our company almost five years, and in her present role nearly six months. She says being a restaurant manager has been an adventure!

“It’s been pretty interesting,” Melissa shares. “I mean, I’ve learned a lot of things.”

Melissa says her experience has definitely strengthened certain skills like patience, teaching others and communication.

The Career Climb

Melissa got her start at Taco Bell as a cashier for our North Avenue, IL location. Then she was promoted to Shift Leader, a role she held for three years. She says at that  point she bounced around to different locations, including our Glen Ellyn Taco Bell.

Melissa admits to leaving Shamrock Company briefly to work elsewhere but just like others, it’s the people that brought her back. 

She returned to Shamrock as a Shift Leader and was promoted not too long after to her current manager role. 

“There’s always an open opportunity to [move] up.” -Melissa Guillen, Taco Bell GM

“There’s not one time where I have gotten promoted and not gotten that help that I need to be able to learn the skills that I know now,” she says of her experience.

Two people she notes made a difference for her along the way are Area Coaches Donald Pryor and Edith Leon. Donald, she says, has always been just one phone call or text away.

“He’s helped me a lot and taught me so many things,” she confesses.

Today, as Melissa continues developing her leadership style, she also passes down her knowledge and experience. One thing she knows for sure? Opportunity is not hard to find at Shamrock! She says she encourages her team members to speak up when they’re interested in advancement.

Here’s more of what Melissa has to say about her work and her passions:

Q: What has been the best part of this job?
A: Getting to meet new people.

Q: What is the hardest part of what you do?
A: Waking up early … I’m not a morning person.

Q: If you were to go back to school, do you know what you’d study?
A: I want to become a cop. I’ve always liked protecting people.

Q: What’s next for you in your career?
A: I haven’t really thought about that because I’m really comfortable where I’m at.

Q: What makes you excited to come to work every day?
A: Serving customers … seeing smiles on people’s faces … it makes me happy!

Q: What advice would you give someone who’s thinking about getting a job at a Shamrock?
A: Do it … it’s really fun. They teach you a lot of new skills; everybody’s really friendly.

Q: Any final words?
A: I really appreciate everybody who has ever helped me.