Does Del Taco require the franchisee to control the day-to-day operation of the Restaurant?
Del_Taco Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
if requested by Del Taco. With regard to training, at least seven individuals must attend and successfully complete Del Taco's training programs: the Franchisee's Operating Principal, one (1) full-time Restaurant Manager, and at least five (5) Shift Managers (collectively, the "Franchisee's Principal Trainees").
- 5.4.1 Initial Training. Prior to the opening of the Restaurant, the Franchisee's Principal Trainees, and such other employees of Franchisee who Del Taco shall have the right to approve, shall attend and successfully complete, to Del Taco's satisfaction, the initial training program offered by Del Taco. All aspects of the Franchised Business shall be conducted under the management and supervision of the Operating Principal. In addition, the daily operations of the Restaurant shall be supervised under the active full-time management of the Operating Principal or Restaurant Manager who has successfully completed (to Del Taco's satisfaction) Del Taco's initial training program.
- 5.4.2 Operating Principal and Restaurant Manager. If the Operating Principal or the Restaurant Manager cease active management of or employment at the Restaurant, Franchisee shall enroll a qualified replacement (who shall be reasonably acceptable to Del Taco) in Del Taco's initial training program not more than thirty (30) days after the cessation of the former person's full-time employment and/or management responsibilities. The replacement shall attend and successfully complete the basic management training program, to Del Taco's reasonable satisfaction, as soon as it is practical to do so. Franchisee shall pay Del Taco's then-current training fees and per diem expenses.
- 5.4.3 Refresher Training / Annual Conventions. If Franchisee is in default of this Agreement, the Franchisee's Principal Trainees may also be required to attend such refresher courses, seminars, and other training programs as Del Taco may reasonably specify from time to time, including up to twenty (20) days of refresher programs each year during the term of the Agreement. In addition, such of the Franchisee's Principal Trainees as Del Taco may require, may be required to attend Del Taco's annual convention for up to three (3) days per year.
- 5.4.4 Pre-Opening Crew Training.
Source: Item 15 — OBLIGATION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ACTUAL OPERATION OF THE FRANCHISE BUSINESS (FDD page 42)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Del Taco's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchisee is required to control and supervise the restaurant's operations. Specifically, Del Taco mandates that all aspects of the franchised business be conducted under the management and supervision of an Operating Principal. The daily operations of the restaurant must be supervised under the active, full-time management of either the Operating Principal or a Restaurant Manager. Both individuals must successfully complete Del Taco's initial training program.
Del Taco retains the right to approve the designated Restaurant Manager. If either the Operating Principal or the Restaurant Manager ceases active management or employment at the restaurant, the franchisee must enroll a qualified replacement in Del Taco's initial training program within thirty days of the vacancy. This replacement must then successfully complete the training program.
Furthermore, Del Taco emphasizes that the restaurant should be operated under the control and supervision of the franchisee, its Operating Principal, the Restaurant Manager, or another manager hired and employed by the franchisee and approved by Del Taco. The franchisee is explicitly prohibited from hiring or retaining a management company to operate the restaurant. This multi-layered approach ensures that Del Taco maintains a certain level of operational control and brand consistency across all franchise locations.