Where must the Del Taco franchisee keep the Manuals, and whose property do they remain?

According to Del Taco's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the Manuals remain the sole property of Del Taco and must be kept in a secure place on the Restaurant premises. These manuals are crucial for maintaining the brand's operational standards and reputation. Franchisees receive the Manuals electronically and must conduct their business in accordance with them. Del Taco may provide updates and amendments to the Manuals electronically, including through the Internet.

Del Taco franchisees are responsible for keeping the Manuals current and up to date. In the event of any dispute regarding the contents of the Manuals, the master copy maintained by Del Taco at its home office will be controlling. This ensures consistency and standardization across all franchise locations. Franchisees must treat the Manuals and the information within them as confidential, protecting them from unauthorized access and handling them with the same care as their most confidential documents.

The requirement to keep the manuals secure on the restaurant premises ensures that they are readily accessible to staff while also protected from unauthorized disclosure. This is a common practice in franchising, as the operations manual contains proprietary information vital to the brand's success. The franchisee's responsibility to maintain and update the manuals, along with Del Taco's right to revise the contents, ensures that the restaurant operates according to the most current standards and practices.