Is Del Taco obligated to establish guidelines for franchisees to establish a presence on social media outlets?
Del_Taco Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
We maintain a Social Media and Social Networking Policy which is more specifically contained in our Manuals. Del Taco franchisees should consider the terms of this policy prior to engaging in any online activity.
In all cases, we will have sole discretion and control over any profile(s) using or relating to the Marks, or that display the Marks, that are maintained on social media outlets, including without limitation Instagram, MySpace, Facebook, TikTok and X (formerly known as Twitter) or other similar outlets, that may exist in the future. We may use part of the marketing fee monies we collect under the Franchise Agreement to pay or reimburse the costs associated with the development, maintenance and update of the profile(s). We may (but are under no obligation to) establish guidelines under which you may establish profiles or otherwise establish a presence on the social media outlets. In that event, you must comply with the standards, protocols and restrictions that we impose on that use.
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND TRAINING (FDD pages 31–38)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Del Taco's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Del Taco is not obligated to establish guidelines for franchisees to establish a presence on social media outlets. While Del Taco maintains a Social Media and Social Networking Policy in its manuals, it retains sole discretion and control over profiles using or relating to its marks on social media.
Del Taco may, but is not required to, establish guidelines for franchisees to establish profiles or a presence on social media outlets. If Del Taco does establish such guidelines, franchisees must comply with the standards, protocols, and restrictions imposed by Del Taco.
This means that while franchisees are encouraged to consider Del Taco's social media policy, Del Taco ultimately controls the brand's online presence. Franchisees need to adhere to any guidelines Del Taco chooses to implement, but Del Taco is not obligated to create those guidelines.