Who is responsible for the costs associated with activating and maintaining training tablets for restaurant-level employees at Del Taco locations?

Based on the 2025 Del Taco Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchisee is responsible for all employment decisions and functions of the restaurant, including training. This means the franchisee would likely bear the costs associated with activating and maintaining training tablets for restaurant-level employees. Del Taco is not considered a joint employer with the franchisee, reinforcing the franchisee's responsibility for all employee-related expenses.

The FDD states that the franchisee is responsible for hiring, firing, training, compliance with wage and hour requirements, personnel policies, scheduling, benefits, recordkeeping, supervision, and discipline of employees. This comprehensive list underscores the franchisee's autonomy in managing their workforce and associated costs. Del Taco provides initial training to the franchisee's designated contact, but the franchisee is responsible for the travel and living expenses incurred by their employees during this training.

While the FDD does not explicitly mention training tablets, the broad responsibility assigned to the franchisee for all training-related activities implies that the franchisee would be responsible for providing and maintaining the necessary tools for employee training, including tablets if they are deemed necessary. The franchisee's acknowledgement that personnel decisions are made without influence from Del Taco further supports this interpretation.

Prospective franchisees should confirm with Del Taco during their due diligence whether training tablets are a required or recommended component of the training program and clarify who bears the costs. Understanding these costs upfront is crucial for accurate financial planning.