S3E1 · Turning Customers Into Fans at Scale with Dane Mathews of Taco Bell

What if the secret to unstoppable growth wasn't better technology, but better fandom? In this episode of Speaking From Experience, host Sujay Saha sits down with Dane Mathews, Global Chief Digital and Technology Officer at Taco Bell, to explore how brands create defensible growth by turning customers into passionate fans. Dane shares how Taco Bell operationalizes fan-led experience activism across thousands of locations, balancing technology, AI, and human connection to create memorable moments that competitors can’t easily replicate. From loyalty programs and frontline empowerment to experimentation and scalable innovation, the conversation reveals why meaningful experiences and not just seamless transactions drive sustainable business growth and stronger cultural relevance in today’s competitive retail and hospitality landscape.