What role does Del Taco play in the crew training for the franchisee's first restaurant?
Del_Taco Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Restaurant Manager certification.
We require a 2-week training program for your crew, the Franchise Pre-Opening Crew Training ("FPCT"). You must designate a minimum of 50 crew candidates (40 if no Breakfast or Late Night) to participate in the FPCT for 2 weeks before the opening of your Restaurants. We will lead the crew training of your first restaurant as well as certifying the identified new restaurant trainer or Restaurant Manager from your organization who will participate in the 2-week training program. For your second restaurant, we will assist the certified trainer from your organization as we deem appropriate throughout the 2-week crew training. Initial trainings are held as needed prior to the opening of your Restaurant. Additional training may be needed in the territory where you are developing a new Restaurant.
We maintain a formal training staff. Our training managers have served in many capacities in the Restaurant industry, including management in Del Taco Restaurants. Our senior training management has received formal training and certifications in hospitality training. Meghan Kelley, our Senior Director of Operations Support, oversees our training programs. Ms. Kelley has served in this position since February 2024, and has over 20 years of experience in restaurant operations. Our training materials consist of a Manager-in-training Manual, e-learning content, the Del Taco Products & Procedures Manual, and the New Market Opening Playbook, which is provided virtually to all new franchisees five to six months prior to opening.
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 leads the 2-week Franchise Pre-Opening Crew Training (FPCT) for the franchisee's first restaurant. The franchisee must designate a minimum of 50 crew candidates (or 40 if the restaurant does not offer Breakfast or Late Night service) to participate in the FPCT for 2 weeks before the restaurant opens. Del Taco also certifies the new restaurant trainer or Restaurant Manager from the franchisee's organization who will participate in this 2-week training program.
For the franchisee's second restaurant, Del Taco will assist the certified trainer from the franchisee's organization as Del Taco deems appropriate throughout the 2-week crew training. These initial trainings are held as needed prior to the opening of the restaurant. Additional training may be needed in the territory where the franchisee is developing a new restaurant.
After the first restaurant opens, Del Taco will monitor the level of training and assist in maintaining proper training of management and crew to promote the proper use of the Del Taco system. Del Taco will also make in-store training available to all future management employees on their e-learning platform for the term of the Franchise Agreement. The franchisee is responsible for all costs and expenses, such as salaries, wages, supplies, rooms, meals, and transportation for the franchisee, their managers, and each of their employees participating in the training program. Franchisees are also responsible for costs and expenses related to any required food safety (Serv Safe Certification) and food handler certifications.