Is the franchisee responsible for crew training at a Del Taco restaurant?
Del_Taco Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Franchisee shall be responsible for the crew training.
- 5.4.5 Continuing Management and Crew Training.
After the Restaurant has opened, Del Taco may, at its option, assist Franchisee in the training of management and crew to promote the proper use of the System.
Franchisee at all times shall maintain at least one certified Restaurant Manager in the Restaurant and shall have a combination of nine additional Shift Managers trained and certified by Del Taco for the Restaurant.
Franchisee shall have sole authority and discretion regarding all employment matters, including hiring, firing, discipline, compensation, benefits, and scheduling.
Franchisee is solely responsible for ensuring its managers and employees are adequately trained and supervised.
Del Taco may make training available to all future management employees of Franchisee.
Every future manager must complete, to Del Taco's satisfaction, the pre-opening management training described in Section 5.4 above, and receive certification by Del Taco.
If a Restaurant Manager's position becomes vacant, Franchisee shall fill the vacancy within 60 days with a fully-trained and certified Restaurant Manager.
- 5.4.6 Training costs.
The cost of all initial training instruction and required materials shall be borne by Del Taco.
All other expenses incurred in connection with training and, if required, attendance at Del Taco's annual convention, including the costs of transportation, lodging, meals, wages, workers' compensation insurance and trainees' meals during training sessions, for Franchisee, its investors, and all of its employees, shall be borne by Franchisee.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD pages 58–59)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Del Taco's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchisee is responsible for crew training. While Del Taco may provide assistance in training the crew for the first two Del Taco restaurants that the franchisee or their affiliate opens, the franchisee ultimately holds the responsibility for ensuring adequate training and supervision of their managers and employees.
Del Taco may also assist the franchisee in ongoing training of management and crew to promote the proper use of the Del Taco system. The franchisee must maintain at least one certified Restaurant Manager and a combination of nine additional Shift Managers trained and certified by Del Taco. The franchisee has sole authority regarding all employment matters, including hiring, firing, discipline, compensation, benefits, and scheduling.
The cost of initial training instruction and required materials is borne by Del Taco. However, the franchisee is responsible for all other expenses related to training, including transportation, lodging, meals, wages, workers' compensation insurance, and trainees' meals during training sessions, for the franchisee, their investors, and all of their employees.