Del Taco Franchise News

Del Taco Targets Macon and Athens Next
LAKE FOREST, CA--(Marketwire - May 9, 2012) - Kennesaw, GA, gets its very own Del Taco today as the nation's No. 2 Mexican quick-serve chain opens the second restaurant of more than 60 planned for the Atlanta metro area.
The debut of the new Kennesaw restaurant, located at 745 Chastain Rd. NW, near Interstate 75, follows the hugely successful opening of a Del Taco restaurant in Snellville, GA, last February.
"For years, our fans have been asking us to return and the tremendous response Del Taco has received makes us excited to open more locations. We hope to find more new fans in Kennesaw," said Paul Murphy, Del Taco CEO.
Del Taco previously operated restaurants in the Atlanta area in a co-branding effort with Mrs...

LAKE FOREST, CA--(Marketwire - Apr 4, 2012) - Del Taco, the nation's No. 2 Mexican quick-service restaurant chain, is looking to Charleston to expand its presence in the southeast. The company today announced plans to open 8 - 10 Del Taco restaurants in the Charleston, South Carolina area and is seeking qualified restaurant operators as franchise partners.
Del Taco opened its first South Carolina restaurant in Rock Hill in 2010, and before that opened new restaurants in Orlando. Recently, Del Taco opened a restaurant in the Atlanta suburb of Snellville. Del Taco is planning about 60 locations in the Atlanta area.
"Following Atlanta and Orlando, we see Charleston as a critical market for Del Taco in the southeast," said Michael Vogel, vice president of franchise sales for Del Taco...

First of 40 Planned Locations to Open March 28
LAKE FOREST, CA--(Marketwire - Mar 28, 2012) - Del Taco, the nation's No. 2 Mexican quick serve chain, is looking to Houston to continue its Texas expansion. Today, the company announced plans to open more than 40 restaurants in the Houston market with the first location set to open March 28th.
Del Taco began its Texas expansion in the Dallas/ Ft. Worth market. Over the past 18 months, Del Taco has opened seven locations including Dallas, Denton, Hurst, McKinney, Plano and Watauga.
The first Houston location will open at 8910 Westheimer Road, Houston and is owned and operated by RPM Hospitality LLC, whose principals include Pramod Patel, Purendra Patel, and Rahul Patel. This is the first of three locations planned by RPM Hospitality LLC...

LAKE FOREST, CA--(Marketwire - Mar 2, 2012) - Del Taco recognized the achievements of several franchise owners and awarded this year's Top Taco at its recent franchisee conference. Awards were presented to the Developer of the Year, Franchise Operator of less than three units and a multi-unit operator.
Also, a special "Top Taco" recognition was awarded to Rod Carstensen who with his business partner Dave Hostetler owns Mountain Del, which operates 11 Del Taco restaurants in Colorado. The award is presented to the franchise partner who demonstrates outstanding customer service, operations, local sales building and brand support, and is inspired by Del Taco's founder Ed Hackbarth.
The Developer of the Year recognition was also awarded to Carstensen who acquired two restaurants in Colorado Springs and opened three more Colorado Del Tacos in the last year...

LAKE FOREST, CA--(Marketwire - Feb 22, 2012) - Del Taco announced several promotions and appointments within its executive ranks as part of a larger initiative to redefine how the company delivers on its brand experience.
"Del Taco is on an aggressive mission to redefine how potential new and current customers view our product and service experience," said Paul Murphy, CEO of Del Taco. "Ultimately, it is our goal to be the No. 1 restaurant of choice in our category precisely because of our raising the bar to consistently provide both quality and value at Del Taco."
Among the changes, David Pear has been brought on board as Senior Vice President of Operations, with responsibility for both company and franchise operations. Pear comes to Del Taco from Domino's Pizza and Yum Brands...

Franchisees Grew Up As Fans of Del Taco
January 27, 2012 // Franchising.com //   Lake Forest, CA – Del Taco announced today that it has signed a three-unit development deal with DT Restaurants of Texas. The first location will be at Hawk’s Creek Center, 520 State Hwy 183 in Fort Worth, and is expected to open in April.
This latest announcement is part of the continuing expansion of the popular chain into the Dallas/Ft. Worth market. In 2010, Del Taco announced plans to expand in the market with approximately 80 restaurants. To date, Del Taco has opened six restaurants in Dallas and area communities including Denton, Hurst, Irving, McKinney and Plano.
The owners of DT Restaurants of Texas, Ryan and Chris Blake, are brothers who grew up on Del Taco in Southern California...

LAKE FOREST, CA--(Marketwire - Nov 21, 2011) - Remember the classic orange Del Taco sun logo from the '60s? Remember the look of the Naugles chain before it merged with Del Taco in the '80s? Do you ever wish you had your own stash of Del Taco's popular hot sauce packets?
Just in time for the holidays, Del Taco launches the brand's official online web store featuring the items consumers want most -- branded merchandise such as shirts and hats, gift cards and of course hot sauce. The web store offers each of Del Taco's three popular hot sauce packets in 50 count buckets. Customers can also purchase a 150 count variety version containing all three classic Del Taco hot sauce flavors -- Del Inferno®, Del Scorcho®, and Mild sauce.
"Our fans frequently ask about buying these items, and we are excited to now introduce an online destination for our fans to find what they want," said John Cappasola, Del Taco's Chief Brand Officer...

New Restaurant Opens in Plano, TX on Nov. 2
LAKE FOREST, CA--(Marketwire - Nov 2, 2011) - Today, Del Taco will open its fifth restaurant in the Dallas area. The new restaurant is located at 6100 West Park Blvd in Plano and features the company's new design elements and logo.
Del Taco's other locations include Denton, McKinney, Irving and Cockrell Hill Road in Dallas. Another restaurant is scheduled to open in Hurst at the end of November and Watauga in December.
"We are excited to continue growing in the Dallas area. Mexican food lovers are embracing Del Taco flavors and enjoying our combination of Mexican and award-winning burgers," said Jim Lyons, Del Taco's Chief Development Officer and COO/Franchise. "Our fan base is growing daily and with each new location, we are able to better serve more Mexican-food loving Dallas customers...

October 18, 2011 // Franchising.com // Lake Forest, CA – Del Taco, the nation’s No. 2 Mexican quick serve restaurant chain, today announces it is testing The Coca-Cola Company’s new proprietary fountain, Coca-Cola Freestyle® in 12 restaurants, including the dine-in and drive thru, throughout Southern California. Del Taco is among the first restaurant chains to offer the exciting new fountain technology in Southern California. (Addresses for Del Taco locations with Coca-Cola Freestyle can be found here: www.deltaco.com/coca-colafreestyle )
The sleek, stylish new fountains are touch screen operated, enabling people to select from more than 100 regular and low-calorie brands – including many varieties of waters, sports drinks, lemonades and sparkling beverages that, prior to the arrival of Coca-Cola Freestyle, were not available in the U...

New Restaurant to Open Thursday, August 25 LAKE FOREST, CA--(Marketwire - Aug 24, 2011) - In the past six months, Del Taco has doubled the number of restaurants in Colorado Springs. Tomorrow, August 25th at 11 AM, the fourth Colorado Springs Del Taco will open at 8020 N. Academy Drive.

The new restaurant is owned by franchisee Mountain Del, LLC, which also owns and operates the other three Colorado Springs locations as well Del Taco restaurants in Denver.

"Consumers in Colorado Springs are hungry for the food and value that Del Taco serves up every day, and we are thrilled to open our fourth restaurant in this community," said Rod Carstensen, franchise owner.

For more than 40 years, Del Taco has been offering menu items that appeal to a broad range of tastes with a strong emphasis on quality and value...

New Logo Makes First Appearance at Los Angeles, Irvine, Calif. and Dallas Locations LAKE FOREST, CA--(Marketwire - Aug 8, 2011) - Del Taco is proud to announce the introduction of a new logo and the testing of a new restaurant prototype. After months of research, both are making their first appearance together at new locations in Los Angeles and Irvine, Calif., as well as Irving and McKinney, Texas. The company's new logo will be phased in through marketing and advertising efforts beginning in Q4 while the new store prototype will be evaluated and refined over the next few quarters.

"We have a legacy of well-established value -- great food at a great price," said John Cappasola, Del Taco's Chief Brand Officer. "With our new look, we maintain our value heritage while adding emphasis to the quality, freshness and great care we put into our food preparation every day in all of our Del Taco restaurants...

LAKE FOREST, CA--(Marketwire - Jun 30, 2011) - Michael Vogel has been named vice president of franchise sales for Del Taco (www.deltaco.com), effective immediately. In his new role, Vogel oversees franchise sales and market planning for the nation's No. 2 Mexican quick-serve chain.

Reporting to Del Taco's chief development officer Jim Lyons, Vogel directs a team responsible for franchise recruitment, development, market planning and meeting the company's goals for new franchise restaurant openings.

"Michael's an innovative, passionate leader driven to produce measurable results," said Jim Lyons, Del Taco CDO and COO, franchise. "In his new role, he'll be able to utilize his ability to match the best Del Taco new franchise restaurant locations with franchise candidates who are the best fit for our brand...

LAKE FOREST, CA--(Marketwire - May 13, 2011) - Del Taco recognized the achievements of several franchise owners and the brand's founder at its recent franchisee conference. Awards were presented to the Developer of the Year, Franchise Operator of less than three units and a multi-unit operator.

Also, a special "Top Taco" recognition was awarded to Brent Veach, who owns and operates 14 restaurants in the Phoenix area. The award is presented to the Franchise Partner who demonstrates outstanding operations, local sales building and brand support. Last year, the inaugural Top Taco award was given to Del Taco's founder Ed Hackbarth, who with family members still owns and operates six restaurants. Hackbarth and his partner David Jameson opened the first Del Taco in Yermo, Calif...

Franchisees Paul and Jane Hitzelberger to Add 13 Locations LAKE FOREST, CA--(Marketwire - April 5, 2011) - Del Taco today announced a major growth initiative for Utah with the signing of a development agreement with franchisees Paul and Jane Hitzelberger of Utah Del, which will result in the addition of 13 new Del Taco locations in the state that already has 24 locations.

"Utah is a critical and growing market for Del Taco," said Jim Lyons, COO, franchising and Chief Development Officer at Del Taco. "Our franchise partners Paul and Jane Hitzelberger are among the best in the business, and these growth plans will continue to bring Del Taco's great tasting food to more communities."

Nearly 10 years ago, then Del Taco executive Paul Hitzelberger and his wife and business partner Jane took over eight Del Taco restaurants in Utah...

LAKE FOREST, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Del Taco, the nation's No. 2 Mexican quick serve chain, today announced the company has strengthened its franchise support services with the addition of two new franchise business consultants. Chip Bialzak has joined Del Taco as senior franchise business consultant and Chris Carr has joined the company as a franchise business consultant. Both will be responsible for helping Del Taco franchisees grow sales, implement marketing programs and continue to improve operations.

"Franchising and the success of our franchisees are key parts of Del Taco's future growth and our franchise business consultants provide critical support for our franchisees. We are excited to have Chip Bialzak and Chris Carr on our team," said Jim Lyons, Chief Development Officer at Del Taco...

Lake Forest, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Del Taco, the nation's No. 2 Mexican quick serve chain, today announced that two of its franchise team members, Andy Verostek and Michael Vogel, have been recognized as Certified Franchise Executives™ by the Institute of Certified Franchise Executives. Verostek and Vogel completed a comprehensive course of study in franchise management offered by the institute, which is the academic branch of the International Franchise Association's Educational Foundation.

A market planning analyst for Del Taco, Andy Verostek, CFE joined the company five years ago and is responsible for evaluating demographic and competitive information to determine appropriate markets and trade areas to grow the chain...

September 22, 2008 // Franchising.com // (Lake Forest, CA) - Longtime fans of Del Taco's array of taco menu items will get a special treat beginning Sept. 17 when the chain introduces its Classic Taco for 99 cents.

"Our menu has always featured a number of items for under $1 and now we're adding the Classic Taco to the list," said Sharon Fogg, senior vice president of marketing. "We already know how much our fans love our tacos and we're showing our appreciation for their loyalty by giving them twice the meat, twice the freshly grated cheddar cheese, diced tomatoes and more attitude for just 99 cents."

With the Classic Taco promotion, which runs through November, Del Taco formally introduces the restaurant chain's new "Go Bold Or Go Home" advertising campaign, developed by Doner Advertising...

July 02, 2008 // Franchising.com // (Lake Forest, CA) – Del Taco, the nation's No. 2 Mexican quick serve chain, today announced that Steve Brake has been promoted to vice president, treasurer and controller and Pete Honer has been promoted to vice president, business insights and planning.

Brake, previously controller, will continue to support both Del Taco and Sagittarius Brands, working in collaboration with Mike Payne, chief financial officer at Sagittarius.

Honer had been director of financial planning. As vice president, business insights and planning, he adds responsibilities for market planning for new restaurants, developing and leveraging consumer insights and establishing a marketing analytics capability...

May 21, 2008 // Franchising.com // (Lake Forest, CA) – For years, when consumers in the Charlotte, North Carolina area had a taste for tacos, they had only one option. But soon lovers of Mexican fast food will have a fresh choice. California-based Del Taco, the nation's No. 2 Mexican quick-service chain, today announces a development agreement with experienced restaurant operators Jeff and Janette Marx to open three Del Taco's in the Charlotte area.

Charlotte is an ideal market for Del Taco, according to Ron Petty, president of development for Sagittarius Brands, parent company of Del Taco. At Del Taco, Mexican and American items are made to order using fresh product, freshly grated cheddar cheese, beans made from scratch, chicken grilled every hour and fresh California strawberry's in the shakes...

Del Taco joins NAMWOLF as a Corporate Partner.Santa Ana, CA, May 06, 2008 --(PR.com)-- "We are very pleased with the addition of Del Taco as Corporate Partner. Their commitment to at least 5% is invigorating," stated Yolanda Coly, Managing Director of NAMWOLF.

The National Association of Minority and Women Owned Law Firms' (NAMWOLF) Corporate and Public Entities Partnering Program is comprised of companies that are committed to utilizing certified minority and women owned law firms as part of their outside legal counsel. There is no cost to join the Program. More than 130 corporations and public entities have enrolled in the program, including: PepsiAmericas; Accenture, LLP; Northwestern Mutual; and SAFECO Insurance. For more information about NAMWOLF or its Corporate and Public Entities Partnering Program, please contact Yolanda Coly, at 414-277-1139 or ycoly@namwolf...