Is a Del Taco franchisee required to purchase customer relationship management services and software from Del Taco or its affiliates?

According to Del Taco's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are required to purchase customer relationship management services and software. Del Taco or its affiliates may be the only approved supplier for these services and software. This requirement is in place to help maintain quality control standards for the items used in the operation of the Del Taco restaurant, as well as to protect the consistency, reputation, goodwill, and public acceptance of Del Taco's service marks, trademarks, and products.

This means that a prospective Del Taco franchisee may not have a choice in selecting a provider for customer relationship management (CRM) services and software. They must purchase these services from Del Taco or its affiliates if they are the only approved supplier. This could potentially limit the franchisee's ability to negotiate pricing or customize the CRM system to their specific needs.

While the FDD specifies that Del Taco may be the only approved supplier for CRM services, it does not elaborate on the costs associated with these services. A potential franchisee should inquire about the specific costs, terms, and functionalities of the required CRM services and software to fully understand the financial implications. It would also be prudent to understand if there are alternative approved suppliers and the criteria for becoming an approved supplier if a franchisee prefers a different vendor.