Del Taco franchise
Del Taco is a quick-service chain combining Mexican-American food such as tacos and burritos with burgers, fries and shakes. It is owned by Jack in the Box. At the end of 2024 there were 594 Del Taco locations in the US, 461 franchised and 133 company-owned.
- Cost to open
- $1.5M–$3.32M
- Franchise fee
- $35,000
- Royalty
- 5%
- Locations, 2024
- 594
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Company snapshot
- Franchisor based in
- Lake Forest, California
- Agreement length
- 20 years
- Territory
- No exclusive territory
- Financing
- None offered
From Del Taco LLC’s 2025 filing.
How much a Del Taco franchise costs
Opening one Del Taco restaurant, excluding land costs an estimated $1,497,200 to $3,321,000. That covers the franchise fee and everything else needed to open, through the first months of working capital.
Source: Del Taco LLC, 2025 filing, page 22
Del Taco franchise fee
The franchise fee is $35,000, plus a $10,000 promotional fee. You pay it when you sign the franchise agreement.
Source: Del Taco LLC, 2025 filing, page 16
Royalty and ongoing fees
| Royalty | 5% of net sales, paid monthly. |
|---|---|
| Brand or marketing fund | 4% of gross sales |
Source: Del Taco LLC, 2025 filing, page 18
Sales and earnings
Shares figures Del Taco publishes sales or earnings figures for its locations: it gives average sales for free-standing franchised restaurants open at least 12 months, fiscal 2020 to 2024. The full tables, with notes on which locations are counted, are in its filing.
Source: Del Taco LLC, 2025 filing, page 47
Locations opened and closed
| Year | Franchised | Company-owned |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 301 (−5) | 290 |
| 2023 | 421 (+120) | 171 |
| 2024 | 461 (+40) | 133 |
Closed or left counts terminations, non-renewals, locations bought back by the franchisor and locations that stopped operating.
Source: Del Taco LLC, 2025 filing, page 54
How Del Taco compares
Of the 46 fast food franchises on this site, Del Taco is the 39th cheapest to open and the 31st largest by number of locations.
| Measure | Del Taco | Typical fast food |
|---|---|---|
| Cost to open, low end | $1.5M | $701K |
| Royalty | 5% | 5% |
| Change in franchised locations, 0 yrs | +50.7% | +6.3% |
| Shares earnings figures | Yes | 39 of 46 |
Typical is the median across the 46 brands in fast food franchises.
Other fast food franchises
Del Taco franchise questions
Does Del Taco help with financing?
No. Del Taco does not offer financing or guarantee loans or leases, so buyers arrange their own, usually a bank or SBA loan.
Do Del Taco franchisees get a protected territory?
No. Del Taco grants the right to run one location but no exclusive area, so another Del Taco can open nearby.
How long is a Del Taco franchise agreement?
The initial term is 20 years. Renewal is usually possible if you're in good standing, often for a fee and a remodel.
How does Del Taco compare with other fast food franchises?
Of the 46 fast food franchises here, Del Taco is the 39th cheapest to open (low end $1.5M against a $701K median) and the 31st largest by number of locations. Its 5% royalty is in line with the 5% median.
Does Del Taco say how much franchisees make?
Yes: it gives average sales for free-standing franchised restaurants open at least 12 months, fiscal 2020 to 2024. Your results can differ; the filing explains which locations are counted.
Where is Del Taco based?
Del Taco LLC is based in Lake Forest, California.