If a Del Taco franchisee wants to sell a new product, what must they do?
Del_Taco Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You must offer for sale and sell only those products and services that we have approved. You may not offer for sale any products or perform any services that we have not authorized previously in writing. See Items 8 and 9, above. We have the right to change the types of authorized products and services, without limitation.
Source: Item 16 — RESTRICTIONS ON WHAT THE FRANCHISEE MAY SELL (FDD page 42)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Del Taco's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, a franchisee must obtain prior written authorization from Del Taco before offering any new products for sale. Del Taco retains the right to modify the approved products and services list without any limitations. This means a franchisee cannot independently decide to introduce a new menu item or service without express approval from Del Taco.
This requirement ensures uniformity and quality control across all Del Taco locations. It allows Del Taco to manage its brand standards and ensure that all products sold meet their specifications. Franchisees must adhere to Del Taco's standards and specifications for all products, ingredients, materials, supplies, and paper goods. Deviation from these standards requires specific prior written consent from Del Taco.
Del Taco also has the right to disapprove any product in writing at any time, and franchisees must discontinue selling any such disapproved items. Del Taco or its agents can remove product samples for testing to ensure compliance with standards, and the franchisee may bear the cost of testing if the supplier hasn't been previously approved or if the sample fails to meet Del Taco's specifications. This stringent control helps maintain consistency and protect the brand's reputation, but it also limits the franchisee's autonomy in product offerings.