Del Taco
Del Taco franchises quick-service, fast-casual restaurants offering Mexican-American and American cuisine, including tacos, burritos, burgers, shakes, French fries, breakfast items, and beverages, under the Del Taco brand and business system. Franchisees operate standalone, end-cap, non-traditional, or converted locations, with options for single units or multi-unit development agreements. The target market is the general public seeking affordable, convenient fast food dining options.
Disclaimer: This information was extracted using AI from public Franchise Disclosure Documents and should be independently verified. This is not financial or legal advice. Always review official FDD filings before making investment decisions.
Overview
Financial Requirements
5% royalty + 4% marketing + $236-$347/mo fixed fees (technology, Ceridian Dayforce, Del U e-learning, digital checklist)
Franchise Stats
Financial Performance
Item 19 Financial Performance
Data Based On: 387 freestanding franchised restaurants open for at least 12 months as of the end of the 2024 fiscal year.
* Franchise expense data (and thus profit metrics) are not provided in the FDD, as explicitly stated on page 7. Therefore, net income, net profit, EBITDA, and estimated profit ranges cannot be calculated for franchised units. Revenue figures (Average Sales and Median Sales) are taken directly from Table 19-1 for the 2024 fiscal year. Top and bottom quartile revenues are not provided, only highest and lowest sales.
Extracted Item 19 Section
How Del Taco Compares to Other Fast Food Franchises
Key Insights
- Higher investment than 92% of Fast Food franchises
| Franchise | Investment Range | Franchise Fee | Royalty | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Del Taco Current | $1.5M - $3.3M | $35K | 5.0% | 9 |
| Burger King | $2.1M - $4.7M | $50K | 4.5% | 19,732 |
| MCDONALD'S | $1.5M - $2.6M | $45K | N/A | 12,772 |
| AFC | $45K - $151K | $6K | 9.5% | 3,572 |
| SONIC DRIVE-IN | $1.7M - $3.1M | $15K | 5.0% | 3,441 |
| JIMMY JOHN'S | $366K - $728K | $35K | 6.0% | 2,647 |
Fast Food Average 127 franchises | $605K - $1.5M | $35K | 6.1% | - |
* Comparison based on latest FDD filings. Investment ranges from Item 7, fees from Item 5. Showing top 5 of 127 Fast Food franchises by location count.
Locations & Growth
Outlet Growth Over Time
Total outlets at end of each year
Geographic Distribution (2024)
Outlets by state across the United States
+3 more states
SBA Loan History
Historical SBA 7(a) loan data for Del Taco franchisees (2010 - 2025)
Loans by Year
* Data sourced from SBA 7(a) FOIA loan records. Default rate calculated from charged-off loans.
Franchisee Contacts
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Due Diligence
Litigation (Item 3)
No litigation involving franchisees reported in the FDD.
Bankruptcy (Item 4)
GNC Holdings, Inc. (prior employer of Chief Brand Officer Ryan Ostrom and Chief People Officer Steven Piano) filed Chapter 11 on June 23, 2020; plan confirmed October 14, 2020.
System Health (Item 20)
Franchise system changes reported in the most recent fiscal year
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to open a Del Taco franchise?
The total initial investment to open a Del Taco franchise ranges from $1,497,200 to $3,321,000. This includes a franchise fee of $35,000. Ongoing royalty fees are 5.0% of gross sales.
How much revenue does a Del Taco franchise make?
According to the 2025 FDD, the average gross revenue for a Del Taco franchise is $1,613,899. The median revenue is $1,541,335.
How many Del Taco franchise locations are there?
As of the 2025 FDD, Del Taco has 9 franchise locations. The company has been franchising since 1990.
Can you get an SBA loan for a Del Taco franchise?
Yes, SBA loans are available for Del Taco franchises. Historical data shows 27 SBA 7(a) loans have been approved for Del Taco franchisees, with an average loan amount of $1,287,763. The historical default rate is 0.0%.
Is Del Taco a good franchise to buy?
Del Taco shows several positive indicators: transparent financial performance data (Item 19), low SBA loan default rate. However, franchise success depends on many factors including location, local market conditions, and owner involvement. We recommend speaking with existing franchisees and consulting with a franchise attorney before making a decision.
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