About Del Taco

For more than 50 years, Del Taco has been serving freshly prepared, craveable food at an unbeatable value. This rare combination is one of the many reasons that we are one of the leading brands in the fast-growing Mexican quick-service restaurant (QSR) category.

With approximately 600 locations in 16 states, we have an incredibly loyal fan base and a strong presence across the western United States, with plenty of room for franchisees to grow in both existing and untapped markets.

We are aggressively expanding across the United States and seeking passionate multi-unit restaurant operators like you. Explore this site to learn more about Del Taco's franchising opportunity, then share your contact info so we can discuss your next bold business move!

DEFINING THE QSR+ CATEGORY

Del Taco occupies the space between a traditional QSR and a Fast Casual atmosphere, by offering delicious quality food, prepared with fresh ingredients, and served with the value and convenience of a drive-thru. It’s QSR+, and Del Taco is at the forefront.

Guests love Del Taco's Mexican-inspired favorites and American classics, prepared with fresh ingredients hand-chopped, slow-cooked, and grilled in each restaurant's working kitchen. As much as our customers love our food, they also appreciate the convenience our restaurants and drive-thrus provide for their busy lives.

Flavor variety
20 Under $2 Menu
Eat well with Del
Made to order with fresh ingredients

FOCUSED MENU STRATEGY & INNOVATION DRIVES TRAFFIC

Del Taco is booming and our franchisees are seeing consistent returns. This is a direct reflection of our effective barbell menu strategy, full complement of dayparts, and ongoing menu innovation that appeals to a broad demographic and continues to drive increased traffic and sales.

Del Taco's menu includes tacos and burritos as well as burgers and fries, spans a full complement of dayparts, from breakfast to dinner to late night and everything in between. By offering unbeatable variety, from premium menu items to the industry leading 20 Under $2 Menu, Del Taco gives guests more reasons to visit, gaining a competitive advantage in today’s busy marketplace.

We Are Positioned To Deliver A Compelling QSR+ Value Proposition

Made to order with fresh ingredients

We Are Passionate About Fresh Preparation and Cooking

  • FRESHLY MADE PICO DE GALLO
  • FRESHLY GRILLED, MARINATED CARNE ASADA
  • FRESHLY GRATED CHEDDAR CHEESE
  • FRESH HOUSE-MADE GUACAMOLE
  • SLOW-COOKED BEANS MADE FROM SCRATCH
  • FRESHLY GRILLED, MARINATED CHICKEN
Made to order with fresh ingredients

Our Menu Strategy Enables Multiple Levels for Traffic & Check Growth

Made to order with fresh ingredients

History

Del Taco Restaurant 1960's

1960s

A BRAVE NEW VENTURE

Ed Hackbarth and David Jameson opened the first Del Taco in Yermo, CA in 1964. With a menu of 19¢ tacos, tostadas, fries and 24¢ cheeseburgers, Del Taco brought in $169 in sales on its first day in business - the equivalent of 900 tacos. Things were off to a bold start.

Del Taco Restaurant 1970's

1970s

Growing Rapidly

Del Taco thrived during the 1970s. By 1977 there were 50 restaurants and by 1978 there were 100. The menu also grew, expanding to include items like the bun taco, quesadilla, and ice cream sundaes.

Del Taco Restaurant 1980's

1980s

DEL ACQUISITIONS

In 1988, Del Taco greatly increased in size and geographic reach by merging with Naugles restaurant chain. Del Taco also began to stay open all night to serve the growing needs of the new 24/7 lifestyle.

Del Taco Restaurant 1990's

1990s

DARING TRANSITIONS

In the 90s Del Taco set the stage for extreme growth by launching a series of initiatives to improve the total customer experience and grow the brand's image, including a new logo design.

Del Taco Restaurant 2000's

2000s

GOING BOLD

By 2006, Del Taco nearly doubled in size and opened the 500th restaurant in 2008. An exciting new dessert was also introduced to the menu that has since become a fan favorite: Caramel Cheesecake Bites. Additionally, the Del Taco Super Special Show launched, treating our fans to a humorous take on our brand.

Del Taco Restaurant 2010's

2010s

A FRESH APPROACH

By introducing the Buck & Under Menu, Epic Burritos, and Handcrafted Ensaladas, Del Taco has continued to demonstrate that you can still get delicious food made with fresh ingredients for an UnFreshing Believable price.
In 2016, Del Taco launched THE Del Taco, inspired by the original and loaded with more of everything you love. Everything Del Taco stands for is represented by this new signature taco.

Leadership

Led by an experienced executive team and backed by investor and renowned restaurateur Larry Levy, chairman of Levy Restaurants, Del Taco has a seasoned franchise system.

Del Taco's established brand legacy, proven business model, and solid company financials offer franchisees the personal support systems and resources needed to establish, manage, and grow their business.

Chad Gretzema

Brand President

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Chad Gretzema

Brand President
  • Joined Del Taco as Senior VP of Operations Support in 2012
  • Leads Strategic Planning, Operations Innovation and New Product Commercialization
  • Over 20 years of food and restaurant experience serving in Operations and Marketing leadership roles for Oscar Mayer, Einstein Noah Bagel Corp. and Noodles & Company

Steven L. Brake

EVP and Chief Financial Officer

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Steven L. Brake

EVP and Chief Financial Officer
  • Joined Del Taco in 2003, was promoted to CFO in 2010 and EVP in 2012
  • Oversees the capital structure of the company, including both financial operations and investor relations
  • Was instrumental in the transaction of transitioning Del Taco into a public company and in spearheading various refinances
  • Previously held management positions at Arthur Andersen and KPMG

Tim Hackbardt

Chief Marketing Officer

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Tim Hackbardt

Chief Marketing Officer
  • Tim Hackbardt has been Del Taco’s Chief Marketing Officer since February 2020.
  • Over 27 years of experience and has led or advised numerous restaurant chains as a marketing executive and brand consultant across the quick-service, fast-casual, family dining, casual and polished-casual categories. Among these brands are BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse, Rubio’s, Pieology, Steak ‘n Shake, Johnny Rockets, and Lucille’s Smokehouse Bar-B-Que.
  • Experience also includes four years (1999-2003) leading marketing for Del Taco.

Jeff Little

SVP Development

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Jeff Little

SVP DEVELOPMENT
  • Jeff Little joined the Del Taco team in 2016 as Senior Vice President of Development.
  • Responsible for spearheading the company’s development efforts and franchise sales in new and existing markets across the country.
  • More than 20 years of demonstrated expertise in retail development, specifically real estate, finance, construction and strategic planning.

Franchisee Testimonials

Paul Hitzelberger

"I only wish I had become a franchisee sooner. There's never been a better time to be a part of this brand."

Paul Hitzelberger Franchisee since 2001



Brent Veach

"Del Taco's leadership team is incredibly strong. They're guided by data-driven decisions that have measurable results for the brand."

Brent Veach Franchisee since 1999

Mike Hansberger

"With strong year-over-year store sales growth, our group believes we are not even close to the number of locations we can own and operate."

Mark Miller Franchisee since 2009

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News

Franchise News

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Restaurant News

Consumer News

Paul Hitzelberger
Franchisee since 2001

Brent Veach
Franchisee since 1999

Mark Miller
Franchisee since 2009