Neal T. Baker, a pivotal player in several successful fast-food chains, died in his Redland, Calif., home at age 84, his family said. The cause of death wasn't announced.
Baker helped build a San Bernadino hamburger stand for Richard and Maurice McDonald, who later sold the restaurant, which was serving 20,000 milkshakes a month, to Ray Kroc for $2.7 million. Kroc kept the name, turning the business into McDonalds Corp.
Baker then helped high school friend Glen Bell build his own hamburger stand. Ten years later, in 1962, Bell founded Taco Bell in Downey, Calif.
