Is a Del Taco franchisee prohibited from communicating with regulators under the Development Agreement?
Del_Taco Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
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- Prohibitions on Communicating with Regulators. Any provision in the Development Agreement or related agreements that prohibits the franchisee from communicating with or complaining to regulators is inconsistent with the express instructions in the Franchise Disclosure Document and is unlawful under RCW 19.100.180(2)(h).
Source: Item 17 — RENEWAL, TERMINATION, TRANSFER AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION (FDD pages 42–46)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Del Taco Franchise Disclosure Document, in the state of Washington, any provision in the Development Agreement or related agreements that prohibits a franchisee from communicating with or complaining to regulators is unlawful.
Specifically, the FDD states that such a provision is inconsistent with the express instructions in the Franchise Disclosure Document and violates RCW 19.100.180(2)(h). This means that Del Taco franchisees in Washington have the right to communicate with regulatory bodies without fear of reprisal or penalty from the franchisor.
This protection ensures that franchisees can report any concerns or violations to the appropriate authorities, promoting transparency and accountability within the Del Taco franchise system in Washington. It also aligns with franchise regulations designed to protect franchisees' rights and prevent franchisors from suppressing legitimate complaints or concerns.