Must the designated Operating Principal for a Del Taco franchise attend and complete the initial training program?
Del_Taco Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
n required by Del Taco, Franchisee shall provide to Del Taco a summary of the expenditures incurred by Franchisee, on the format required by Del Taco, in connection with the acquisition, development and opening of the Restaurant and in connection with any remodeling or renovation of the Restaurant.
- 5.4 Training. Franchisee acknowledges that its owners and managers must be knowledgeable regarding the operation of Del Taco Restaurants, including the preparation and delivery of Menu Items and the provision of customer service in accordance with the brand standards established by Del Taco, which may be modified by Del Taco from time to time. Franchisee acknowledges that successful completion of Del Taco's training programs by Franchisee's owners and managers is critical to properly own, operate and manage the Restaurant.
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 Operating Principal is required to attend and successfully complete the initial training program. The Franchisee acknowledges that their owners and managers must be knowledgeable regarding the operation of Del Taco Restaurants. Successful completion of Del Taco's training programs by the Franchisee's owners and managers is critical to properly own, operate, and manage the Restaurant.
Prior to the Restaurant opening, Del Taco offers a Franchise Management Training Program (FMTP) to qualify the Operating Principal and the Restaurant's managers to operate the Restaurant according to Del Taco's standards and procedures. The FMTP includes pre-opening training, requiring each of these personnel to spend 240 hours before the Restaurant's opening in this pre-opening training portion of the FMTP and receive certification from Del Taco.
To be designated as an Operating Principal, the individual must have at least five years of management experience in the operation of a quick service restaurant (or two years if the Franchisee or its affiliate already operates a Del Taco Restaurant). They must have completed Del Taco's required training program and be approved by Del Taco to supervise the day-to-day operations of the Restaurant. Additionally, the Operating Principal must own at least 10% of the equity interest in the Franchisee if the Franchisee is a business entity and live no more than a three-hour drive from the Restaurant.
If the Operating Principal ceases active management or employment at the Restaurant, the Franchisee must enroll a qualified replacement in Del Taco's initial training program within thirty days. The replacement must attend and successfully complete the basic management training program as soon as practical, and the Franchisee is responsible for paying Del Taco's then-current training fees and per diem expenses.