Doritos Locos Tacos Creator Dead of Brain Cancer, Went Unrecognized for Invention
Doritos Locos Tacos are perhaps one of Taco's Bells biggest sellers, but the man behind them never received full recognition for his creation. Now that man is gone, having left behind a delicious snack for people to enjoy.
Todd Mills, 41, died on Thanksgiving after battling brain cancer. He leaves behind two daughters, Tyler, 19, and Lainey, 6.
Mills got the idea for the Doritos Locos Tacos while making a taco salad; he took it to Facebook and founded the "Taco Shells from Doritos Movement" in 2009. He asked people to contact Frito-Lay and request the special taco shells.
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Mills also wrote the proposal and pitched it to Frito-Lay, but the company did not accept it.
"Their response was, 'Thanks, but no thanks,'" Ginger Mills, Todd's wife, told USA Today. Yet soon Taco Bell commented on one of the photos Mills put on his "Movement" Facebook page. "He was really excited," Ginger said. "Taco Bell was paying attention to him. Of course, we called everyone we knew."
Three years later, he received a call from the company, which was testing out the Doritos Locos Tacos. It wanted Mills to be among the first to try the product; even though he was not acknowledged to the public, Taco Bell thought of Mills as a "true friend."
"We are honored to have had his support through the Doritos for Taco Shells Movement on Facebook, and we admire his strength and optimism during his recent battle," the company said in a statement to USA Today. "Our thoughts and sympathies are with Todd's family during this time."
Friends who knew Mills said that he was thrilled with the Doritos Locos Tacos and never cared about being recognized or compensated for his idea.
"Todd being Todd, he never asked for anything. He said, 'I just want my tacos,'" friend Jimmy Looney said.
Those who knew of Mills' invention chose to honor him with Doritos Locos Tacos after the funeral held on Dec. 2.
