Is a Del Taco franchisee required to comply with pricing guidelines specified by the franchisor?

According to Del Taco's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees must comply with pricing guidelines if the franchisor specifies them. Del Taco may provide pricing guidelines for menu items, products, or services, which may include minimum and maximum price policies, subject to applicable law. If Del Taco establishes such guidelines, franchisees are obligated to adhere to them. This is to ensure brand consistency and competitiveness across all locations.

This requirement gives Del Taco some control over pricing strategies at the franchise level. While franchisees retain some autonomy in their business operations, they must align their pricing with Del Taco's overall strategy when guidelines are provided. This could impact a franchisee's profitability if the guidelines don't align with their local market conditions or cost structures.

For a prospective franchisee, this means understanding and agreeing to the potential pricing constraints set by Del Taco. It's crucial to evaluate how these guidelines might affect profitability in their specific location and market. Franchisees should discuss these pricing guidelines with existing franchisees and the franchisor to fully understand the implications and ensure they are comfortable with the level of control Del Taco retains over pricing decisions.