Who controls and is responsible for the day-to-day operation of a Del Taco Restaurant?
Del_Taco Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
deems to be important to the operation of any Del Taco Restaurant or the System. Franchisee shall have no recourse against Del Taco on account of any variation to any franchisee and shall not be entitled to require Del Taco to provide Franchisee with a like or similar variation hereunder.
- 5.30 No Third-Party Management. The Restaurant shall be operated under the control and supervision of Franchisee, its Operating Principal, the Restaurant Manager or another manager hired by and employed by Franchisee and approved by Del Taco. Franchisee shall not hire or retain a management company, manager (other than an employee manager trained and approved by Del Taco), or third party to
undertake any of the management or operational functions of the Restaurant. Franchisee shall not be managed or otherwise controlled by any individual not identified as its Operating Principal or owner.
6. Advertising and Marketing.
Recognizing the value of advertising and marketing, and the importance of the standardization of advertising and marketing programs to the furtherance of the goodwill and public image of the System, the parties agree as follows:
- 6.1 Marketing Fee Expenditure.
Source: Item 15 — OBLIGATION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ACTUAL OPERATION OF THE FRANCHISE BUSINESS (FDD page 42)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Del Taco's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchisee is ultimately responsible for the restaurant's operation. However, the day-to-day operations are typically managed by an Operating Principal or a Restaurant Manager, both of whom must be approved by Del Taco and have completed the required training programs. The Operating Principal should participate personally in the restaurant's direct operation. If the franchisee is an individual and meets the qualifications, they can serve as the Operating Principal.
Del Taco requires that the franchisee designate an Operating Principal who meets specific criteria, including having at least five years of management experience in a quick-service restaurant (or two years if the franchisee already operates a Del Taco Restaurant), completing Del Taco's training, being approved by Del Taco, owning at least 10% of the equity interest in the franchisee if it's a business entity, and living within a three-hour drive of the restaurant. The Restaurant Manager is responsible for the direct oversight and management of the day-to-day operations and personnel at the restaurant. Shift Managers also play a role, overseeing day-to-day shift operations under the supervision of the Restaurant Manager and Operating Principal.
Del Taco emphasizes that the franchisee cannot hire a third-party management company or manager who hasn't been trained and approved by Del Taco to handle the restaurant's operational functions. This ensures that the Del Taco system and standards are maintained. The franchisee has sole authority and discretion over employment matters, including hiring, firing, discipline, compensation, benefits, and scheduling, reinforcing their role as the employer. Del Taco may offer advice, but the final decisions rest with the franchisee.