An object oriented simulation model for determining labor requirements at Taco Bell

In early 1990, Taco Bell launched a major study to develop comprehensive and integrated labor management system in order to manage and optimize a payroll that exceeds $500 million per year. The core of this system is an object oriented simulation model that determines the amount and deployment of labor required in a restaurant in order to meet a given level of sales while delivering quality, service, cleanliness and value to its customers. A year has elapsed since its full implementation in company restaurants and it has realized a demonstrable bottom line impact of $7.6 million per year while increasing quality, service, cleanliness and value to the customer. The Taco Bell development and implementation teams were awarded the President´s award in recognition for contribution. This paper describes the application with particular attention to the object oriented simulation model.