How must a Del Taco franchisee obtain approval for promotional expenditures related to the Restaurant?

According to Del Taco's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, a franchisee must first submit a request to Del Taco and receive written approval before contracting for or making any expenditures related to promoting their restaurant. The franchisee is then required to submit invoices for these promotional expenditures to Del Taco, which will then make direct payments to the vendor or reimburse the franchisee. However, Del Taco will not pay or reimburse food or paper costs.

This process ensures that all promotional activities align with Del Taco's brand standards and marketing strategies. It also allows Del Taco to maintain control over how marketing funds are spent and to ensure that the promotional efforts are effective.

Furthermore, the franchisee pays a $10,000 Promotional Fee upon execution of the agreement, which is used for restaurant promotion within the first year of opening. If the franchisee fails to spend the entire Promotional Fee within 12 months of opening, the remaining amount is forfeited and used by Del Taco for general advertising or marketing programs. This creates a timeline and expectation for promotional spending upon opening a new Del Taco location.

This requirement is fairly standard in the franchise industry, as franchisors typically want to maintain brand consistency and control over marketing efforts. Prospective franchisees should carefully review the specific procedures and requirements for submitting and obtaining approval for promotional expenditures to ensure compliance and maximize the use of their promotional funds.