Del Taco
Key figures
| Initial franchise fee | $25,000 |
| Total investment (Item 7) | $1,497,200 – $3,321,000 |
| Royalty (Item 6) | 5% of gross sales |
| Headquarters state | CA |
| Legal name (Item 1) | DEL TACO LLC |
| FDD issuance date | 2025-05-05 |
| Franchised units (Item 20) | 461 (Item 20, p.54) |
| Brand website | https://www.deltaco.com |
About Del Taco
We have operated and franchised Del Taco restaurants since February 1990. As a result of the Merger Transaction, we have the following affiliates that offer franchises: Our affiliate, Different Rules, LLC (“Jack in the Box Franchisor”), is a Delaware limited liability company organized in November… TERRITORY (Item 12): territory is NOT exclusive - the FDD states you will not receive an exclusive territory.
Due diligence dossier
Every figure below is as disclosed in this brand's own FDD, with its FDD citation. FranchiseKI adds no analysis and estimates nothing.
Unit history (Item 20)
| Year | Franchised | Company-owned | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 301 | 290 | 591 |
| 2023 | 421 | 171 | 592 |
| 2024 | 461 | 133 | 594 |
Source: Item 20, p.54-58 of the brand's FDD.
Risk & history facts
| Closures in the last 3 years | 20 (Item 20, p.54-58 of the FDD) |
| Transfers in the last 3 years | 45 (Item 20, p.54-58 of the FDD) |
| Litigation matters disclosed (Item 3) | 9 (Item 3, p.12 of the FDD) |
| Bankruptcy (Item 4) | No bankruptcy disclosed (Item 4) (Item 4, p.16 of the FDD) |
Litigation summary (Item 3): Item 3 discloses six matters: Jack in the Box affiliate franchise-termination and contract disputes (a 1997 Philippines case decided for the company in 2025, a Texas trustee case on appeal after a take-nothing judgment, and a 2025 Washington termination suit), a Del Taco wage class action settled for $50,000,000 with final accounting still set, a Del Taco data-breach class action dismissed in 2023 after an individual settlement, and a 2014-2017 Jack in the Box gift-card class settlement. (Item 3, p.12-16 of the FDD)
Item 19 — franchisor-provided financial performance representations
These figures are the franchisor's own representations in Item 19 of its FDD. They are not verified earnings and are not a promise of what any unit will earn.
| Average revenue | $1,613,899 (Item 19, p.47-54 of the FDD) |
| Median revenue | $1,541,335 (Item 19, p.47-54 of the FDD) |
| Revenue range | $380,237 – $6,898,837 (Item 19, p.47-54 of the FDD) |
Ownership & operations
| Owner-operator required | Yes (Item 15, p.42 of the FDD) |
| Absentee ownership allowed | No (Item 15, p.42 of the FDD) |
Territory description (Item 12): The franchisee does not receive an exclusive territory. Del Taco grants a protected one-mile radius from the restaurant front door, excluding alternative points of distribution, and will not operate or license another Del Taco at a physical premises in that area during the term, subject to stated reservations. (Item 12, p.38-40 of the FDD)
Training: We require that each of these personnel spend 240 hours before the Restaurant’s opening in this pre-opening training portion of the FMTP and receive certification from us. (Item 11, p.31 of the FDD)
Ongoing support:
- Monitor and maintain management and crew training; future management training available during the term
- Electronic access to manuals and training aids
- Merchandising, marketing data, and advice
- Periodic individual or group consultation by visit, phone, online, mail, or email
- Bulletins, intranet information, brochures, and reports
- Other resources and assistance later developed
- Pricing guidelines, which may include minimum and maximum prices
- Pre-opening site package, initial inventory assistance, and a pre-opening inspection
Source: Item 11, p.31-38 of the brand's FDD.
Company facts
| Headquarters | Lake Forest, CA (Item 1, p.6 of the FDD) |
| Years in business | 35 (Item 1, p.6 of the FDD) |
| Years franchising | 35 (Item 1, p.6 of the FDD) |
| Parent company | Del Taco Holdings, Inc. (Item 1, p.6 of the FDD) |
| Initial term | 20 years (Item 17, p.42 of the FDD) |
| Renewal term | 20 years (Item 17, p.42 of the FDD) |
| Veteran discount | Offered (Item 5, p.17 of the FDD) |
| Company-owned units | 133 (Item 20, p.54 of the FDD) |
| Projected new units | 18 (Item 20, p.54-58 of the FDD) |
Questions to ask the franchisor
Generated from what this brand's FDD data does not disclose — ask Del Taco directly:
- What liquid capital does the franchisor require of a new franchisee? It is not disclosed in the FDD data we hold for this brand.
- What minimum net worth does the franchisor require? It is not disclosed in the FDD data we hold for this brand.
Territory — what the FDD says (Item 12)
Under this brand's Item 12 rule, you do not receive an exclusive territory. The franchisor may sell additional franchises in the same area. It may also operate company units there. Or it may sell through other channels. No area is reserved for you. No area is closed to you by another franchisee's exclusivity either. Placement is the franchisor's decision.
The FDD's own words (Item 12): “territory is NOT exclusive - the FDD states you will not receive an exclusive territory.”
Availability
Because this brand grants no exclusive territory, there are no territory-based exclusions: no area is reserved for an existing franchisee, and no area is reserved for you. Whether a new unit is placed anywhere is the franchisor's decision under Item 12.
Next steps with Del Taco
Put Del Taco on a shortlist. Compare it side by side with two other brands. Check it against your budget in the PerfectFit Quiz. Or talk it through with a vetted consultant. That conversation is free to buyers; call (385) 475-5319. Only the franchisor can confirm current terms. Only the franchisor can confirm territory availability.