Does Del Taco charge any additional fees for pre-opening training services?
Del_Taco Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
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- We will provide pre-opening training in the Del Taco System, including standards, methods, procedures and techniques, at the times and places we designate for our training programs, together with any additional training and assistance we determine necessary in connection with the opening of your Restaurant, including assistance by our personnel. (Franchise Agreement, Section 4.2). A description of that training appears later in this item. We currently charge no additional fees for those services.
After your first Restaurant opens and you train new employees, we will monitor the level of training and assist you in the maintenance of proper training of your management and crew to promote the proper use of the Del Taco System. We will make instore training available to all of your future management employees on our e-learning platform for the term of the Franchise Agreement. We do not charge a training fee payable for the above-described training, however, you must pay for all costs and expenses, like salaries, wages, supplies, rooms, meals and transportation for you, your managers, and each of your employees participating in the training program. Franchisees are responsible for costs and expenses related to any required food safety (Serv Safe Certification) and food handler certifications.
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND TRAINING (FDD pages 31–38)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Del Taco's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Del Taco does not currently charge additional fees for pre-opening training services. The FDD specifies that pre-opening training in the Del Taco System, covering standards, methods, procedures, and techniques, is provided at designated times and places without additional fees. This training is part of the Franchise Management Training Program (FMTP), which aims to qualify franchisees, their Operating Principals, and restaurant managers to operate the restaurant according to Del Taco's standards.
However, while Del Taco does not charge a training fee, franchisees are responsible for covering all costs and expenses associated with the training, such as salaries, wages, supplies, rooms, meals, and transportation for themselves, their managers, and employees participating in the training program. Franchisees are also responsible for costs related to required food safety certifications, such as ServSafe.
This means that while the training itself is provided without a direct fee from Del Taco, franchisees need to budget for the indirect costs, which can be substantial depending on the number of personnel being trained and the location of the training. This is a fairly standard practice in the franchise industry, where franchisors often provide the training program but pass on the logistical and personnel costs to the franchisee.