Nacho Average Access Control: How ProdataKey (PDK) Protects Taco Bell
- ProdataKey
- 4 days ago
- 6 min read
Taco Bell has become a cornerstone of the American fast-food landscape. With over 8,000 locations spread across the United States, the restaurant brand operates in a fast-paced and highly-competitive environment where efficiency and safety are key. Each location functions as a hub of constant activity—from varying staff roles to vendor interactions, shift management, and more. This dynamic environment requires a security solution that is not only reliable but flexible enough to adapt to day-to-day needs.
This case study takes a look at a handful of Taco Bell locations in Montana, managed by Crave Management Group. These restaurants have placed their security in the reliable hands of Rocky Mountain Asset Protection, partners of ProdataKey (PDK). Together, the teams at Rocky Mountain Asset Protection and ProdataKey have been able to provide a security solution that protects life and property in these Taco Bell restaurants with absolute ease.
From Traditional Lock-and-Key to the Cloud
The transition from a traditional lock-and-key system to a cloud-based access control system began with a simple conversation. According to Drew Eakins, owner of Rocky Mountain Asset Protection, the shift was sparked when Taco Bell operators began exploring more efficient ways to manage access across their stores. “They started talking to me about wanting to do access control, so I brought up PDK, and I was able to take them to a nearby PDK customer of mine to show off the system,” Drew explains. “After seeing it in action, they realized it was exactly what they wanted!” What followed was a rapid adoption process. After installing a proof-of-concept system in a single Taco Bell location, the results spoke for themselves. “Just a week after I got it up and running they called me and said they wanted it on the rest of the stores,” Drew recalls.
One of the primary drivers for this transition was the challenge of employee turnover—a common issue in the restaurant industry. “Any time a manager would leave, they would have to get the entire store re-keyed,” Drew explains. Rekeying not only incurred excessive costs but also introduced notable security risks during periods of transition. With multiple keys in circulation, it became increasingly difficult to track who had access to what areas.
ProdataKey’s cloud-based solution eliminated these challenges with ease. “Suddenly, you don’t have 15 keys at every location, and you don’t have to worry about who has the keys or where they are,” Drew concludes. By replacing physical keys with PIN codes, Taco Bell staff gained complete control over their access permissions. Changes could be made instantly in PDK.io and without the need for physical intervention, dramatically improving both security and efficiency.
Protecting Critical Areas Across Unique Facilities
Since Taco Bell locations vary in size, operational needs, and physical layout, a flexible access control system was a must-have. Luckily, PDK’s flexibility is one of the solution’s standout features. Every single ProdataKey system can be designed and configured with complete attentiveness to the unique needs of any individual space. Matt Ogle, Business Partners Coordinator at Crave Management Group, explains why this flexibility is critical while managing his Montana Taco Bell locations:
“The way we use PDK really changes depending on the layout of the building. At bare minimum, we have at least a single door for crew and management to get into. A lot of locations also have PDK on restrooms as well as the back-of-house doors, so that our food truck delivery can access it.”
This flexibility ensures that critical areas remain secure while still being accessible to authorized staff, from store managers to delivery drivers, maintenance, and more.
The cloud-based PDK.io system also allows operators to create tiered access levels based on roles and responsibilities within the Taco Bell management hierarchy. “Headquarters staff are Admins, so they have permissions to make any change to any Cloud Node that they want,” Drew explains. “Then there are the Area Coaches: they’re set as Admins on the specific stores that each one of them manages.” This hierarchical structure ensures that the proper management tools are available to those who need them. For example, Area Coaches are required to regularly update PIN codes for restrooms. “They set a new code in PDK.io and send a message out to employees to notify them each week. That helps make sure that people can’t abuse the public bathrooms.”
In terms of access control hardware, durability was a critical factor. Drew highlights the reliability of PDK’s Keypad Reader, saying, “It resists fading from the sun, and it can really stand up against the frigid cold of the wintertime here in Montana. It’s been perfect.” By combining robust hardware with a flexible software platform, PDK provides a comprehensive solution that addresses the unique challenges of each Taco Bell location.
How PDK Keeps Up with Business Growth
Scalability is essential for any growing business, and Taco Bell is no exception. As franchise operators expand their portfolios, they need systems that can grow with them without adding complexity. ProdataKey’s cloud-based architecture makes it easy to add new locations and integrate them into the existing network.
“It’s so easy to scale, and it’s also easy for them to run themselves,” Drew notes. Matt echoes this sentiment, highlighting the rapid growth of their Taco Bell operations. “When we started looking into PDK, I think we had 9 Taco Bell locations running. Since then, we’re up to 12 locations, with 3 more on the way. And Drew is slated to do a PDK installation on all of them!”
With PDK, new stores can be brought online quickly, with consistent security protocols and centralized oversight. The ability to standardize access control across multiple locations not only improves security but also simplifies training and operations. Employees and managers can rely on a familiar system, regardless of which location they are working in.
How PDK Delivers Convenience and Peace of Mind
Beyond security and scalability, one of the most significant benefits of ProdataKey’s system is the convenience it offers to both administrators and employees. “When I’m introducing PDK to someone, I tell them this: if you can use a cellphone, you can administrate this entire system from the ground up the second I walk away,” Drew says. “It’s just so easy.” This ease of use is particularly valuable in a fast-paced environment like Taco Bell, where managers may not have the time or technical expertise to navigate complex systems.
With PDK, tasks such as adding users, updating permissions, or generating reports can be completed quickly and intuitively. And for multi-location operators, the convenience is even more important. “As part of my role, I do periodic store visits,” Matt explains. “I’m not going to carry a unique key for each facility. But if I show up before the crew, I can get into all our stores, which is so nice.”
In addition to convenience, PDK provides undeniable peace of mind. With real-time monitoring and detailed access logs, operators can track who enters and exits their facilities at any given time. This visibility enhances accountability and helps prevent unauthorized access.
Matt sums up his overall experience with PDK as such: “My team uses all sorts of different technologies for different aspects of business, and after doing it for a long time you can really tell what technologies are well-designed and well-thought out. That’s what we love about PDK: you can tell someone really thought it through. It works.”
PDK’s Serving Up Safety, One Taco Bell at a Time
By moving away from traditional lock-and-key systems and embracing the cloud-based solution from ProdataKey, Taco Bell has been able to enhance security, streamline operations, and support ongoing growth across the state of Montana. From reducing the burden of rekeying to enabling remote credential management, the system addresses a wide range of challenges with efficiency and reliability.
Equally important is the trust and collaboration between all parties involved. As Matt notes, “we can’t speak highly enough of who ProdataKey chooses to do business with. Drew is really good at what he does, really trustworthy, and really straightforward.” In an industry where time, security, and convenience are critical, ProdataKey has proven to be a valuable partner—helping Taco Bell operators protect their facilities while empowering their teams to work smarter and more efficiently.
If you want to learn more about how ProdataKey could benefit your business, schedule a demo today.
ProdataKey is a team of security integrators with decades of hands-on, in-the-field experience.
PDK believes that the best technology is created by professionals who know what it takes to secure a facility properly and provide the end user with a solution that instills confidence and safety.
PDK is passionate about creating technology to enhance the security, safety, and overall experience of both the professionals installing electronic access control and those that live with and use the system. PDK continues to create technology every day to enhance its products and the products of its technology partners.