What costs is Del Taco responsible for regarding the initial and ongoing training programs?
Del_Taco Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
ure manager must complete, to Del Taco's satisfaction, the pre-opening management training described in Section 5.4 above, and receive certification by Del Taco. If a Restaurant Manager's position becomes vacant, Franchisee shall fill the vacancy within 60 days with a fully-trained and certified Restaurant Manager.
- 5.4.6 Training costs. The cost of all initial training instruction and required materials shall be borne by Del Taco. All other expenses incurred in connection with training and, if required, attendance at Del Taco's annual convention, including the costs of transportation, lodging, meals, wages, workers' compensation insurance and trainees' meals during training sessions, for Franchisee, its investors, and all of its employees, shall be borne by Franchisee.
- 5.4.7 Additional Training. If Franchisee requests that Del Taco provide on-site training in addition to that described in this Section 5.4, and Del Taco is able to do so, then Franchisee agrees that it shall pay Del Taco's then-current per diem charges and out-of-pocket expenses, which shall be as set forth in the Manual or otherwise in writing.
- 5.5 Restaurant Premises. Franchisee shall use the Restaurant premises solely for the operation of the Restaurant; shall keep the Restaurant open and in normal operation for such hours and days as Del Taco may from time to time specify in the Manuals or as Del Taco may otherwise approve in writing;
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD pages 58–59)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Del Taco's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Del Taco bears the cost of initial training instruction and required materials. However, the franchisee is responsible for all other expenses related to training and attendance at Del Taco's annual convention. These franchisee expenses include transportation, lodging, meals, wages, workers' compensation insurance, and trainee meals during training sessions for the franchisee, their investors, and all employees.
If a franchisee requests on-site training beyond what is already described, and Del Taco can provide it, the franchisee must pay Del Taco's then-current per diem charges and cover out-of-pocket expenses, as detailed in the Manual or in writing.
In the event of a transfer, while Del Taco will not charge a fee for attendance at required training programs for a new Operating Principal or Restaurant Managers, the transferee is responsible for the salary and all expenses of the person attending the training. This division of costs is fairly typical in the franchise industry, where the franchisor covers the direct costs of the training program itself, while the franchisee covers the costs of getting their personnel to and from the training.