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{{Use American English|date=February 2025}}
{{short description|American fast food restaurant chain}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Confused|Deltaco}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Del Taco Restaurants, Inc.
| logo_caption = Logo of Del Taco used since September 2022
| logo = Logo of Del Taco.svg
| type = Subsidiary
| traded_as = 
| industry = Restaurants [[franchising]]
| genre = Fast food
| foundation = {{start date and age|1964|9|16}}, in [[Yermo, California]]<ref name=history>{{cite web |url=http://deltaco.com/history.html |title=Del Taco - History |accessdate=July 11, 2014 |publisher=Del Taco |date=<!--undated--> |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->}}</ref>
| founders = Ed Hackbarth<br>David Jameson<ref name=history/>
| location_city = 25521 Commercentre Drive, [[Lake Forest, California]]
| location_country = US
| locations = 595 {{As of|2025|04|19|lc=y|df=US}}<ref name="locations">{{Cite web|url=https://locations.deltaco.com/us |title=Index of Locations |publisher=Del Taco |date=June 1, 2022 |website=DelTaco.com |access-date=May 1, 2023}}</ref>
| area_served = {{plainlist|
* Western United States
* Southern United States
* [[Metropolitan Detroit]]
* [[Columbus metropolitan area, Ohio]]
}}
| key_people = {{unbulleted list|Tom Rose (Brand president)}}<ref>Lee, K. (September 19, 2023). Jack in the Box Inc. Names New Del Taco Brand President. Retail & Restaurant Facility Business. https://retailrestaurantfb.com/jack-in-the-box-inc-names-new-del-taco-brand-president/#:~:text=%E2%80%94%20Jack%20in%20the%20Box%20Inc.%20has%20named</ref>
| revenue = {{increase}} [[United States dollar|US$]]513&nbsp;million (2019)<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://d18rn0p25nwr6d.cloudfront.net/CIK-0001585583/be8ae370-903e-4993-a185-db27a892b460.pdf|title=Del Taco Form 10-K 2020}}</ref>
| net_income = 
| assets = 
| equity = 
| num_employees = 8,000
| num_employees_year = 2019<ref name="auto"/>
| products = {{flatlist|
* [[Taco]]s
* [[Mission burrito]]s
* [[Mexican cuisine|Mexican style cuisine]]
* [[Salads]]
* [[Hamburger]]s
* [[French fries]]
* [[Milkshakes]]
 }}
| parent = [[Jack in the Box]] (2022–present)
| subsid = 
| homepage = {{url|deltaco.com}}
}}
'''Del Taco Restaurants, Inc.''' is an American fast food restaurant chain focused on a variety of tacos, burritos, French fries, and burgers. Del Taco is led by Brand President Tom Rose,<ref>{{cite press release | url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230912520341/en/Jack-in-the-Box-Inc.-Announces-Tom-Rose-as-New-Del-Taco-Brand-President | title=Jack in the Box Inc. Announces Tom Rose as New del Taco Brand President | date=September 12, 2023 }}</ref> and is headquartered in [[Lake Forest, California]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.deltaco.com/feedback.html |title=Feedback |publisher=Del Taco |access-date=February 25, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100308034428/http://www.deltaco.com/feedback.html |archive-date=March 8, 2010 }}</ref> On December 6, 2021, [[Jack in the Box]] announced it was acquiring Del Taco for $12.51 per share. The acquisition was finalized in March 2022.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=March 8, 2022 |title=It's official: Jack in the Box Inc. now owns Del Taco |url=https://www.nrn.com/quick-service/it-s-official-jack-box-inc-now-owns-del-taco |access-date=June 14, 2022 |website=Nation's Restaurant News |language=en}}</ref><ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|last=Lucas|first=Amelia|date=December 6, 2021|title=Jack in the Box buys Del Taco in $575 million deal|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/12/06/jack-in-the-box-buys-del-taco-in-575-million-deal.html|access-date=December 6, 2021|website=CNBC|language=en}}</ref> Del Taco has approximately 595 locations in 18 US states.
[[File:A Del Taco restaurant in Las Vegas, Nevada.jpg|thumb|A Del Taco restaurant in Las Vegas, Nevada]]

==History==

===1960s===
[[File:Original Del Taco (53605807287).jpg|thumb|left|The first Del Taco restaurant in Yermo, California]]
The first Del Taco restaurant was opened by Ed Hackbarth and David Jameson in [[Yermo, California]], east of [[Barstow, California|Barstow]], on September 16, 1964,<ref name=history /> under the name "Casa Del Taco". On the first day of business, Del Taco made $169 (the equivalent of ${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|169|1964}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US}}{{inflation-fn|US}}).<ref name=history /> Success of the first restaurant led to two in Barstow, one in Needles, and a fifth restaurant in [[Corona, California|Corona]] (the first Del Taco with a [[drive-through]] window). Dick Naugle, who installed the kitchen equipment in the Corona store, was impressed by the design and joined Hackbarth and Jameson in the fledgling business. In 1966, the trio founded Red-E-Food Systems, Inc., with the idea of franchising the Del Taco brand.<ref name="Del Taco History from fundinguniverse.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/Del-Taco-Inc-Company-History.html |title=Del Taco, Inc. History |publisher=FundingUniverse |access-date=June 27, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120122005619/http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/Del-Taco-Inc-Company-History.html |archive-date=January 22, 2012 }}</ref> That same year, the original Del Taco sun logo was created. In 1967, Del Taco introduced their bean and cheese burrito with green or red sauce.<ref name=history />

===1970s===
[[File:Ed Hackbarth, co-founder of Del Taco.jpg|thumb|upright|Ed Hackbarth, co-founder of Del Taco]]
Naugle left the company early in the decade to start [[Naugles]]. In 1973, the company dropped "Casa" from its name and Red-E-Food Systems became Del Taco, Inc. By that time, the company opened a new restaurant every month. In 1976, Hackbarth and Jameson sold Del Taco to a group of investors. The new owners sold the exclusive rights to use and develop the Del Taco name throughout the US (excluding California; [[Eugene, Oregon]]; and [[Yuma, Arizona]]) to [[W. R. Grace and Company]]. Grace, primarily a chemicals company, founded a new company, Del Taco Restaurants Inc. of [[Dallas]], Texas, and a new subsidiary, DTG Inc., to oversee the fast food chains it was acquiring.<ref name="Del Taco History from fundinguniverse.com"/> The franchise continued to expand. In 1977, there were 50 Del Taco restaurants. In 1978, there were 100.{{cn|date=October 2023}}

===1980s===
In February 1989, Del Taco merged their restaurants with the 171 Naugles' Mexican fast food outlets. Anwar Soliman was instrumental in the move. He was the mastermind behind the purchase of the rights to expand Del Taco throughout the US in 1977.<ref name="Del Taco History from fundinguniverse.com" /> With the merger, Del Taco increased in size, and spread as far east as [[Hickory, North Carolina]]. In the 1980s, Del Taco began to stay open all night.<ref name=history /> In [[Lake Forest, California]], there are two Del Tacos directly across the street from each other on Trabuco Road and El Toro Road. The one at the 22401 El Toro Road address was formerly a Naugles. In [[Orange, California|Orange]], two Del Tacos are across the street from each other on Tustin Avenue. The one with the Lincoln Avenue address was formerly a Naugles.

===1990s===
In 1990, Kevin K. Moriarty joined Del Taco as CEO, soon becoming the owner of the brand in conjunction with his management team. His team launched efforts to grow the brand's image while improving the total customer experience.<ref name=history />

In 1992, Del Taco recaptured exclusive rights to its name from W. R. Grace and Company, and was able to expand outside of California.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-07-28-fi-4593-story.html |title=Bidding for a Bigger Bite |first=Chris |last=Woodyard |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=July 28, 1992 |access-date=April 30, 2010}}</ref> Del Taco launched a $14&nbsp;million program to redesign its restaurant exteriors, kitchens and corporate logo. The company presented its Concept 2000 restaurant design, and in August 1992 introduced its new logo. In place of the orange and blue sunset, there was a yellow sun that rose over green mountains against a red background. These colors represented the primary ingredients of Del Taco food: cheese, lettuce, and tomatoes. Later that year, executives announced plans to expand the chain to 500 stores by 1995, and to add another 225 by 2000. The first new markets it sought were [[Las Vegas, Nevada]]; St. Louis, Missouri; and the Northeast Corridor.<ref name="Del Taco History from fundinguniverse.com" />

Del Taco filed for protection in 1993 under Chapter 11 in U.S. Bankruptcy Court. Although renovations were made to keep Del Taco profitable, the company continued to pay rent on several unprofitable outlets that had been closed. They also attempted to negotiate lease reductions on other high-cost sites. Also, Del Taco had been sued for $3&nbsp;million by a former supplier. This was settled out of court.<ref name="Del Taco History from fundinguniverse.com" />

From 1994 through 1998, Del Taco shrank and then grew. Although the company signed a deal to open 15 franchise stores in the [[Northeastern United States|Northeast]] with many more in the [[Southeastern United States|Southeast]], the chain was not near the goals publicized earlier. In 1995, Del Taco had 300 stores instead of growing to 500 stores. The chain began to prosper in 1997 when total sales reached an estimated $250&nbsp;million. By December 1998, Del Taco had 325 stores in 12 states.<ref name="Del Taco History from fundinguniverse.com" />

===2000s===
By 2000, Del Taco had 372 stores located in ten US states. That year a deal was signed with the Compass Group PLC that enabled Del Taco stores to open on US military bases. The first to do business was at [[Patuxent River Naval Air Station]] in [[St. Mary's County, Maryland]], in early 2001. Other Del Tacos were planned for US bases in Puerto Rico and Naples, Italy.<ref name="Del Taco History from fundinguniverse.com" />

In early 2001, a group of former Del Taco employees, all of whom were black, brought a discrimination suit against the chain. The group claimed that while working at Del Taco in the Los Angeles area, they had suffered verbal abuse, had been passed over for promotions in favor of Hispanic workers, and were being fired and replaced by illegal immigrants. The case had not been settled.<ref name="Del Taco History from fundinguniverse.com" />

In an effort to improve its reputation, Del Taco launched a sports-sponsorship program with teams in eight US states, including the [[Anaheim Ducks|Mighty Ducks of Anaheim]] and [[Arizona Coyotes]] hockey teams, basketball's [[Los Angeles Clippers]] and [[Utah Jazz]], the [[University of Nevada, Las Vegas]]'s [[UNLV Rebels football|football]] and [[UNLV Rebels men's basketball|basketball]] teams, and several minor league hockey and baseball teams.{{Citation needed|date=June 2009}} The deal placed the Del Taco logo on signs, drink cups and special promotional items at the stadia of partner teams. It paid off as, in 2003, Del Taco announced that their restaurants had topped $1&nbsp;million per store in average annual sales, which was remarkable considering that other US stores, notably McDonald's and Carl's Jr., featured a decrease in annual sales.<ref name="Del Taco History from fundinguniverse.com" />

In 2006, private [[Nashville, Tennessee]]-based Sagittarius Brands, LLC (the parent company of [[Captain D's]] Seafood), purchased Del Taco.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.qsrmagazine.com/news/sagittarius-brands-parent-company-captain-d-s-seafood-signs-agreement-purchase-del-taco/ |title=Sagittarius Brands, parent company for Captain D's Seafood, Signs Agreement to Purchase Del Taco |date=February 2, 2006 |magazine=QSR Magazine}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.qsrweb.com/news/sagittarius-brands-finalizes-del-taco-buy/ |title=Sagittarius Brands finalizes Del Taco buy |date=March 29, 2006 |work=QSR Web}}</ref>

In January 2008, Del Taco announced the opening of its 500th restaurant in [[Burbank, California]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.qsrmagazine.com/articles/news/story.phtml?id=5946 |title=Del Taco Opens 500th Restaurant |magazine=QSR Magazine |publisher=Journalistic, Inc. |date=January 8, 2008 |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080114211743/http://www.qsrmagazine.com/articles/news/story.phtml?id=5946 |archive-date=January 14, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref> On April 27, 2009, a new Del Taco opened in [[Oviedo, Florida]], marking the first time since the 1980s that Del Taco was available in the [[Orlando, Florida|Orlando]] area. This location has since closed. There are two other [[Orlando, Florida|Orlando]] locations still open.<ref>{{cite news |last=Collings |first=Buddy |url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/orl-bk-taco-040709,0,7163965.story |title=Local varsity athletes juggle bases, turf |newspaper=[[Orlando Sentinel]] |date=April 8, 2009 |access-date=May 4, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090410171021/http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/orl-bk-taco-040709,0,7163965.story |archive-date=April 10, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===2010s===
[[Image:Del-Taco-Denton.jpg|right|300px|thumb|The Del Taco in Denton, Texas, which opened in 2010 and closed five years later]]
Del Taco returned to Texas in November 2010 with a new location in [[Denton, Texas]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.ocregister.com/2010/11/18/del-taco-opens-first-of-80-texas-restaurants-2/ |title=Del Taco opens first of 80 Texas restaurants |first=Nancy |last=Luna |newspaper=[[Orange County Register]] |date=November 18, 2010 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> W. R. Grace and Company had previously owned and operated locations in Texas with a licensing agreement in 1978, but sold the restaurants to [[Taco Bell]] in 1992.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-04-04-fi-233-story.html |title=Del Taco--Not That One--Is Sold |first=Chris |last=Woodyard |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=April 4, 1992 |access-date=April 30, 2010}}</ref> Guillermo Perales, one of the largest Hispanic restaurateurs in the nation, signed a franchisee agreement in 2011 to open additional locations in the Dallas-Fort Worth area of Texas.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.dallasnews.com/business/headlines/20110225-franchisee-will-open-del-tacos-in-dallas-fort-worth-area-.ece |title=Franchisee will open Del Tacos in Dallas-Fort Worth area |first=Karen |last=Robinson-Jacobs |newspaper=[[Dallas Morning News]] |date=February 25, 2011 |access-date=July 13, 2011}}</ref> 

In 2011, Del Taco opened four locations in [[Colorado]] in [[Denver]] and [[Colorado Springs]];{{citation needed|date=February 2025}} it grew to 21 stores across the state.<ref>{{cite web |title=Colorado Locations |url=https://locations.deltaco.com/us/co |website=DelTaco.com |publisher=Del Taco |access-date=November 30, 2021}}</ref> In March 2012, a location opened in [[Houston]] with plans for further expansion in the Houston area (that location was defunct by May 2015),<ref>{{cite news |url=http://chron.com/Entertainment/restaurants-bars/article/Del-Taco-closes-its-only-Houston-area-store-6278634.php |title=Del Taco closes its only Houston area store |first=Syd |last=Kearney |newspaper=[[Houston Chronicle]] |date=May 21, 2015 |access-date=May 24, 2015}}</ref> including both [[Harris County, Texas|Harris County]] and [[Montgomery County, Texas|Montgomery County]].<ref name="A new Del Taco opens in Houston, Texas">{{cite web |url=http://www.29-95.com/restaurants/story/houstons-first-del-taco-opens-march-28 |title=Houston's first Del Taco opens March 28 |last=Morago |first=Greg |date=March 27, 2012 |newspaper=[[Houston Chronicle]] |access-date=September 13, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120328115058/http://www.29-95.com/restaurants/story/houstons-first-del-taco-opens-march-28 |archive-date=March 28, 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> In December 2012, a Del Taco opened in [[Cedar Park, Texas]].{{citation needed|date=February 2025}} Another was opened in [[Round Rock, Texas]], in 2013.{{citation needed|date=February 2025}}

In April 2013, Del Taco entered Alabama by opening its first restaurant in [[Dothan, Alabama]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.restaurantnews.com/del-taco-opens-first-alabama-restaurant-in-dothan/ |title=Del Taco Opens First Alabama Restaurant in Dothan |date=April 2, 2013 |work=Restaurant News}}</ref> A second restaurant opened in [[Montgomery, Alabama]], in October 2013<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.wsfa.com/story/23806715/del-taco-to-open-in-eastchase-tuesday/ |title=Del Taco to open in EastChase Wednesday |date=October 28, 2013 |work=[[WSFA]]}}</ref> only to close in February 2016.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.wsfa.com/story/31144549/del-taco-in-east-montgomery-closed/ |title=Del Taco in east Montgomery closes |date=February 4, 2016 |work=[[WSFA]]}}</ref>  Del Taco entered Oklahoma in December 2013, opening its first store in [[Moore, Oklahoma|Moore]].{{citation needed|date=February 2025}} In summer 2014, a store opened in [[Edmond, Oklahoma]].{{citation needed|date=February 2025}}

Del Taco was purchased by Levy Acquisition Corporation and became a public company on June 30, 2015.<ref name=luna>{{cite news |last1=Luna |first1=Nancy |title=1,500 more Del Tacos: Deal with Larry Levy finalized – with big expansion plans |url=http://www.ocregister.com/articles/taco-669386-levy-brand.html |access-date=July 22, 2015 |newspaper=[[The Orange County Register]] |date=June 30, 2015}}</ref>

===2020s===
[[File:Del Taco Los Angeles.jpg|275px|thumb|right|A Del Taco outlet in [[Reseda, Los Angeles]], California, occupying a former [[Naugles]] location]]
In October 2020, Del Taco opened its first Ohio restaurant in [[Columbus, Ohio]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://abc6onyourside.com/news/local/del-taco-opening-location-in-bellefontaine |title=Del Taco opening location in Bellefontaine; planning to bring locations to Columbus |first=Falycia |last=Campbell |date=October 22, 2020 |work=[[WSYX]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2020/10/07/california-fast-food-taco-chain-coming-to-the-colu.html|title=California taco chain coming to the Columbus area|date=October 7, 2020| website= bizjournals.com| publisher= |access-date= }}</ref>

In September 2021, Del Taco announced it was expand into [[Virginia]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://richmond.com/business/local/del-taco-is-coming-to-virginia---first-of-10-locations-coming-to-the/article_96628548-7f12-5717-b7c1-aa843ee01fd2.html|title=Del Taco is coming to Virginia - first of 10 locations coming to the state|date=September 16, 2021| website= richmond.com | publisher= |access-date= }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wavy.com/news/local-news/virginia-beach/popular-mexican-restaurant-chain-del-taco-coming-to-hampton-roads/|title=Popular Mexican restaurant chain Del Taco coming to Hampton Roads|date=September 16, 2021| website= wavy.com| publisher= | access-date= }}</ref> The first restaurant in Virginia was opened in July 2024 in [[Chesapeake, Virginia|Chesapeake]].<ref>{{Cite press release |url=https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2024/07/03/2908185/0/en/Del-Taco-Opens-First-Location-in-Virginia.html |title=Del Taco Opens First Location in Virginia |date=July 3, 2024 |work=Del Taco |via=[[GlobeNewswire]]}}</ref>

In the same month, Del Taco released their new rewards program app, called "Del Yeah! Rewards".<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.restaurantdive.com/news/del-taco-rolls-out-del-yeah-rewards-program/606739/ |title=Del Taco rolls out Del Yeah Rewards program |website=RestaurantDive |date=September 17, 2021 |first=Alicia |last=Kelso |access-date=November 15, 2022}}</ref>

On December 6, 2021, [[Jack in the Box]] announced it was acquiring Del Taco, saying the merger will cause both companies to benefit "from a stronger financial model, gaining greater scale to invest in digital and technology capabilities, and unit growth for both brands". The combined company will have more than 2,800 locations across 25 states. The acquisition closed in March 2022 for about $585&nbsp;million.<ref name=":0" /><ref name="auto1"/><ref>{{Cite news |last=Wack |first=Chris |date=December 6, 2021 |title=Jack in the Box to Buy Del Taco Restaurants |newspaper=[[Wall Street Journal]] |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/jack-in-the-box-to-buy-del-taco-restaurants-11638800318 |access-date=December 6, 2021 |issn=0099-9660 |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{Cite press release |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220308005874/en/Jack-in-the-Box-Completes-its-Acquisition-of-Del-Taco|title=Jack in the Box Completes its Acquisition of Del Taco|website=Business Wire| date= March 8, 2022| publisher= |location= San Diego |access-date= November 15, 2022}}</ref> Jack in the Box previously owned mexican fast casual purveyor [[Qdoba]], which it divested in 2018.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nrn.com/mergers-acquisitions/jack-in-the-box-completes-305m-sale-of-qdoba |title=Jack in the Box completes $305M sale of Qdoba |first=Nancy |last=Luna |work=[[Nation's Restaurant News]] |date=March 21, 2018}}</ref>

[[File:DelTacoMapUSA2023.png|thumb|States with at least 1 Del Taco location as of January 2023]]

==Availability==
The chain operates in 17 US states, 1 US Territory ([[Guam]]), and had 594 locations as of May 1, 2023.<ref name="locations"/> The majority of their restaurants are in California. Del Taco also operates in several other states, including Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Utah, Virginia and Washington. The company has a handful of locations east of [[Mississippi River|the Mississippi]]. 

[[Las Vegas|Las Vegas, Nevada]], has the most Del Tacos of any single city, and California has the most Del Tacos of any state.<ref name= locations />

==Products==
[[File:Del Taco Taco.jpg|260px|thumb|left|The signature taco of the chain.]]
Del Taco's standard menu includes:<ref name="Del Taco History from fundinguniverse.com" />
{{div col}}
* Hard Shell Tacos
* Soft Tacos
* Burritos
* Quesadillas
* Nachos
* Deluxe Taco Salad
* Crinkle Cut French Fries
* Chili Cheddar Fries
* Double Del Cheeseburger
* Bacon Del Cheeseburger
* Triple Del Cheeseburger
* Fries
* Shakes
* Fresh House-Made Guacamole
* Dinner Burritos (at least four types)
{{div col end}}
On April 25, 2019, Del Taco introduced plant-based Beyond Tacos nationwide in partnership with [[Beyond Meat]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.beyondmeat.com/whats-new/del-taco-introduces-the-future-of-tacos-nationwide/|title= Del Taco Introduces Beyond Tacos Nationwide|website=BeyondMeat.com| publisher= | date= April 15, 2019 |language=en-US|access-date=August 12, 2019}}</ref> Since this introduction, Del Taco has created multiple other vegetarian and vegan menu items using Beyond Meat's plant-based crumbles including the Beyond Avocado Taco, the Epic Beyond Cali Burrito, and the Beyond 8 Layer Burrito.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vegknowledge.com/eating-out/vegan-options-at-del-taco/|title=Vegan Options at Del Taco in 2019|last=Braden|date=August 12, 2019|website= vegknowledge.com| publisher= Veg Knowledge|language=en-US|access-date=August 12, 2019}}</ref> On January 29, 2020, Del Taco launched a new dollar menu, with items costing a dollar or less before tax.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chewboom.com/2020/01/29/del-taco-launches-new-dels-dollar-deals-menu-featuring-15-items-for-1-or-less/|title=Del Taco Launches New Del's Dollar Deals Menu Featuring 15 Items For $1 Or Less | first= Bob| last= Miller| website= chewboom.com| publisher= Chew Boom |date=January 29, 2020|access-date=October 19, 2020}}</ref> On January 2, 2025, Del Taco expanded this menu by adding two new burritos: the Bean, Rice & Cheese Burrito and the Chipotle Chicken Burrito, each priced under $3.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deltacomenu.net/|title=Del Taco Menu|website=deltacomenu.net|access-date=January 9, 2025}}</ref>

==Marketing==
The first mascot of Del Taco was a character of the same name used from 1999 through 2000. Del Taco was sued by Zorro Productions, Inc., and [[TriStar Pictures|Tristar Pictures, Inc.]], who claimed that the "Del Taco" character – masked and costumed in black – infringed on their rights to the trademark [[Zorro|Zorro figure]]. Del Taco settled the suit in January 2000, agreeing to make changes to the Del Taco character, and soon discontinued the ad campaign.<ref name="Del Taco History from fundinguniverse.com"/>

From 2000 through early 2006, Del Taco used [[Gregg Binkley]] to play "Dan" in commercials. A clumsy spokesman, Dan was known for antics during commercials. Dan destroyed cars, broke hockey-rink glass, and held a sales event at a nude beach, while promoting a specific item for Del Taco.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/money/homepage/article_1596414.php |title=Del Taco Dan's demise was destiny |newspaper=The Orange County Register |date=March 2, 2007 |access-date=June 27, 2011 |first=Jonathan |last=Lansner |archive-date=February 13, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090213205628/http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/money/homepage/article_1596414.php |url-status=dead }}</ref>

From August 2007 through July 2008, Del Taco featured "The Beast" in their commercials. "The Beast", a personification of hunger, typically stood next to a customer and persuaded him to order a particular item (or items) so that they could "Feed the Beast" (Del Taco's slogan). "The Beast" made his debut in August 2007 promoting Del Taco's improved Chicken Soft Taco. He also endorsed the Crispy Fish Taco in February 2008, the improved Chicken Quesadilla in April 2008, and Del's Deal in June 2008.<ref name="Del Taco's Beast Ad">{{cite web |url=http://fastfood.ocregister.com/2008/02/21/del-tacos-latest-beast-ad-dubbed-annoying/ |title=Del Taco's latest Beast ad dubbed 'Annoying' |last=Luna |first=Nancy |date=February 21, 2008 |newspaper=The Orange County Register |access-date=September 13, 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130113064940/http://fastfood.ocregister.com/2008/02/21/del-tacos-latest-beast-ad-dubbed-annoying/ |archive-date=January 13, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
[[File:Inside a Del Taco restaurant.jpg|thumb|Inside a Del Taco restaurant]]
Del Taco has used a variety of commercials to promote the slogan, "Go Bold or Go Home". The first commercial featured a team of miniature "Mole Men" to promote the Spicy Chicken Mole Soft Taco, which aired in August 2008. Ads included Del Taco's promotion of their improved regular taco in September 2008, the Classic Combo Deal in November 2008, three separate meal deals for under three dollars in January 2009, the crispy shrimp taco in February 2009, the chicken soft taco in April 2009, and the chicken fajita burrito in June 2009.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS184270+13-Jan-2009+BW20090113 |title=Three is Better at Del Taco! New $3 Meals Offer Value, Taste And a Drink |publisher=[[Reuters]] |date=January 13, 2009 |access-date=June 27, 2011 |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114083445/https://www.reuters.com/article/2009/01/13/idUS184270+13-Jan-2009+BW20090113 |archive-date=November 14, 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS224024+25-Feb-2009+BW20090225 |title=Del Taco's Bringing Shrimp Back |publisher=[[Reuters]] |date=February 25, 2009 |access-date=June 27, 2011 |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114083459/https://www.reuters.com/article/2009/02/25/idUS224024+25-Feb-2009+BW20090225 |archive-date=November 14, 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.qsrweb.com/article.php?na=1&id=14199 |title=Del Taco adds chicken soft taco, burrito value promos |publisher=QSR Web |date=April 24, 2009 |access-date=June 27, 2011 |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090427181933/http://www.qsrweb.com/article.php?na=1&id=14199 |archive-date=April 27, 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUS132234+15-Jun-2009+BW20090615 |title=Del Taco Introduces New Customizable Chicken Fajita Burrito |publisher= Reuters |date=June 15, 2009 |access-date=June 27, 2011 |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114083547/https://www.reuters.com/article/2009/06/15/idUS132234+15-Jun-2009+BW20090615 |archive-date=November 14, 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

On June 27, 2018, Del Taco launched a campaign celebrating employees' successes while working at their restaurants using the new slogan, "Celebrating the hardest working hands in fast food," although the slogan, "That's unfreshing believable", is still used to promote their fresh food.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.adweek.com/creativity/the-hardest-working-hands-in-fast-food-get-a-break-for-del-taco/|title=The Hardest Working Hands in Fast Food Get a Break for Del Taco| work= Adweek.com| first= Doug |last= Zanger| date= June 27, 2018| access-date= November 15, 2022}}</ref>

==Popular culture==
* On the [[Netflix]] show ''[[Grace and Frankie]]'', Frankie, played by [[Lily Tomlin]], regularly mentions her love of Del Taco throughout the series. Scenes include her revealing that she and her husband once bought a franchise and Frankie taking Grace for her first Del Taco visit.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://getyarn.io/yarn-clip/cdd747f2-3aa4-4480-875a-0ca4d0bd813d|title=One time, Sol and I ended up buying a Del Taco franchise.|website=Yarn}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.springfieldspringfield.co.uk/|title=Springfield! Springfield!|website=www.springfieldspringfield.co.uk}}</ref>
* A popular Vine by Gasoleen TV features her reading a Del Taco sign that has incorrect spacing. The sign says: "FR E SH A VOCA DO"<ref>{{Citation |title=#FRESHAVOCADO (Never Seen Before Full Length Version) |url=https://www.youtube.com/shorts/9DfHHYk9eZc |language=en |access-date=November 22, 2022}}</ref> Del Taco has gone on to use this phrase on a Twitter marketing campaign.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://twitter.com/deltaco/status/1156459479535218689?lang=en |access-date=November 22, 2022 |website=Twitter |language=en}}</ref>

== Controversies ==
In 2018, the US [[Equal Employment Opportunity Commission]] (EEOC) filed a lawsuit against Del Taco, stating that the shift leader and general manager of stores near [[Rancho Cucamonga, California]], harassed female employees through vulgar comments, physical conduct, and propositions of sex. The EEOC stated that the harassment occurred almost daily, and those who spoke up were retaliated against by having their work hours shortened or schedules changed. In December 2020, Del Taco settled the lawsuit by agreeing to pay $12.5&nbsp;million and enter a three-year consent decree. The decree required Del Taco to train employees on anti-discrimination laws with an emphasis on sexual harassment, retain an employment monitor, and make it easier for employees to report harassment and discrimination.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Taylor |first=Kate |title=Del Taco will pay more than $1 million to settle a sexual harassment lawsuit. It's just the tip of the iceberg for a growing problem plaguing restaurant workers |date=December 3, 2020 |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/del-taco-sexual-harassment-settlement-reveals-growing-problem-restaurants-2020-12 |access-date=June 17, 2022 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=December 2, 2020 |title=Del Taco settles U.S. sexual harassment charges, enters consent decree |language=en |work=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/del-taco-eeoc-settlement-idINL1N2II2WB |access-date=June 17, 2022}}</ref>

In 2017, Del Taco was accused of violating state wage and hour laws, with the case including people who worked for the company between 2012 and 2021. In June 2022, Del Taco agreed to settle a class-action lawsuit in California for $50&nbsp;million.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 13, 2022 |first=Jonathan |last=Maze |title=Del Taco to pay $50M to settle a wage-and-hour lawsuit |url= https://restaurantbusinessonline.com/financing/del-taco-pay-50m-settle-wage-hour-lawsuit |access-date=June 17, 2022 |website=Restaurant Business |language=en}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{commonscat}}
* {{official|http://deltaco.com }}

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