Does the Del Taco system include site selection and layout criteria?
Del_Taco Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- A. Del Taco engages in the business of owning, operating, and granting franchises to others to own and operate Del Taco restaurants for the sale of food items featuring Mexican-American dishes. Del Taco has developed a system with respect to its operations and management that includes (without limitation) the following items:
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- Site selection and layout criteria;
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- Designs for various types of standardized Del Taco buildings;
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- Signs, graphics, names, logos and other decorative features;
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- Recipes and menus;
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- Furniture, fixtures, kitchen display systems and equipment specifications;
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- Marketing and advertising materials;
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- Operating procedures, including operating and management manuals;
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- Training procedures and materials;
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- Specifications for food products and supplies; and
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- Other materials and procedures that Del Taco may develop and use in the development, construction and operation of Del Taco restaurants.
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All of the above, as Del Taco may change or modify from time to time, shall constitute the "Del Taco System."
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 59–325)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Del Taco Franchise Disclosure Document, the Del Taco system includes site selection and layout criteria. Del Taco provides developers with its standard site selection criteria, sample site plans, and layouts. However, the developer is responsible for adapting these plans and specifications for use at any approved site, and at their own expense.
Del Taco must approve or reject any proposed site within 45 days of receiving all required information from the developer. Del Taco can refuse to approve a site if it doesn't meet their established site selection criteria, including demographic characteristics, traffic patterns, parking accommodations, neighborhood character, and competition. They can also disapprove a site if the developer doesn't meet Del Taco's financial and operational requirements or is in default under any agreement with Del Taco. Del Taco's approval doesn't guarantee the site's success.
Furthermore, Del Taco must approve the Developer's Site Approval Package, final site plan, layout, and construction plans. If the developer is remodeling an existing building, Del Taco must approve all remodel plans and specifications before any work begins. The developer is responsible for paying all costs, including engineering and architectural fees, to obtain governmental approvals for the site plan, construction plans, specifications, and layout.