Via iStockphoto / @austyn.moser TikTok
An The Arizona couple sweet note they received from a Taco Bell employee could tell why the Mexican-themed food chain has such a large market share.
Austyn Moser (@austyn.moser) posted a TikTok showing the written confirmation, resulting in a precious viral moment that garnered over 1 million views on the app.
The clip begins with Moser asking her husband what he got out of it Taco Bell. He shows off his food order, which was placed under the name “Tickle Monster”. The name is clearly printed on the receipt he received from the food chain.
Furthermore, it appears that a Taco Bell employee actually referenced his nickname by writing it on the box with his grub in black marker. The name, “Mr. Tickle,” is written on it. Moser’s husband proudly shows it off in the video.
“And they wrote ‘Mr. Tickle’ on my box,” he says, as Moser sums up the friendliness of the store’s employees. Opening the box, the couple reveals the workers didn’t stop there. Inside, they had a bit more fun with the nickname, drawing a picture of a creature on the wrapper of one of his food items.
Moser says, “He pulled out his burrito. Read it!”
After this, her husband shows the food item in question. “Who’s a good tickle monster? You are!” he says, reading the text of the food’s packaging.
The two get a kick out of the gesture, and Moser says, “This Taco Bell loves the Tickle Monster,” before the video ends.
‘It’s so sweet’
Several viewers also thought the drawings and extra notations on his meal were a kind-hearted courtesy. “Maybe I’m being dramatic, but I wanted to cut out the tickling monster doodle and have it matted and framed,” wrote one.
A former employee at the popular chain said they would also regularly leave notes on guests’ orders. “I worked at Taco Bell, I always loved writing on people’s cups or bags or wrappers! I loved making people’s day,” they wrote.
Another said: “I wish all places did something like this.”
Personalized messages not only help bring a smile to your guests’ faces, but they’re also a proven strategy for repeat business. Cloud Kitchens written a blog post about this practice, stating that “showing appreciation to … customers is an essential part of building loyalty.”
Taco Bell is crushing it
The fast food chain, which was founded in 1962 by entrepreneur Glen Bell, has seen a steady increase in earnings. By 2026, the company’s total net worth is estimated to be somewhere between $15 and $20 billion. 2024’s total reported revenue, per Buzz Splatterrests on a whopping 2.86 billion
According to the outlet, much of the brand’s success lies in its progress in terms of “customer engagement (and) not just food sales.” In its account of the restaurant chain’s success, Buzz Splatter says Taco Bell’s investments in “digital ordering, loyalty platforms and app-based marketing” have paid off.
Furthermore, the franchise’s focus on “digital sales growth … (namely) app-powered ordering and delivery convenience” is culminating in big profits for the Live Mas brand. These initiatives, combined with “international expansion,” are helping to turn more and more customers to Taco Bell—thus increasing its net profit.
The Taco Bell is owned by Yum! Brands
If you’ve eaten at a KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell or Habit Burger & Grill, then you’ve technically eaten from a Yum! Brand’s company. The multinational conglomerate owns several popular fast food franchises, and its recent improved performance is largely attributed to the success of Taco Bell.
wrote CNBC that the company “topped Wall Street expectations for its first-quarter earnings and revenue” in 2026. And much of that was thanks to “another strong quarter for Taco Bell.” In fact, the restaurant’s “same-store sales” were up 8% overall and were hailed by the news outlet as “the crown jewel of the company’s portfolio.”
Yum! Brands CEO Chris Turner also heaped praise on the restaurant, who also highlighted the 8% growth as a huge win for the company.
While KFC, with more locations worldwide than Taco Bell, brings in more revenue, Taco Bell’s profit margins are higher. And thanks to Taco Bell’s commitment to customer retention and pushing new ways to order and embracing digital food shopping trends, it’s not hard to see why.
BroBible has reached out to Taco Bell and Moser via email for further comment.
