Del Taco Franchise Costs $1.5M (+ 2023 AUV & Profits)

This article was updated with the 2023 Franchise Disclosure Document

Del Taco is one of the popular Mexican food franchises in the US and globally, alongside brands like Taco Bell, Taco John’s or even QDOBA. A smaller franchise than the giant Taco Bell though, Del Taco has a very large presence in the US with 600 restaurants in the US.

A strong brand name is great, but should you really invest in a new Del Taco franchise? Before you go ahead, you should first understand the financials of Del Taco restaurants.

As per the latest Franchise Disclosure Document, Del Taco franchises have average turnover of $1,525,000 per year. Yet you would also have to invest $1,504,000 upfront. Is this a profitable business? Let’s find out!

Key stats

Franchise fee$35,000
Royalty fee5.0%
Marketing fee4.0%
Investment (mid-point)$1,504,000
Average sales$1,525,000
Sales to investment ratio294.0x
Payback period[franchise_value_investment_payback]
Minimum net worth$2,000,000
Minimum liquid capital$500,000
Source: Franchise Disclosure Document 2023

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About Del Taco

Del Taco is an American fast-food restaurant chain that primarily operates in the western and southern US.

The chain was founded in 1964 by Ed Hackbarth and David Jameson in Yermo, California, where it is headquartered. The chain was recently acquired by Jack-in-the-Box in 2022.

Del Taco serves American-style Mexican cuisine such as tacos and mission burritos as well as American foods such as burgers, salads, fries, and shakes.

It started franchising in 1967 and has over 600 restaurants in 16 US states today.

Del Taco franchises pros and cons

Pros

  • Training and support: Del Taco has a strong and extensive training program that equips its franchisees with the basic foundation to establish and grow their restaurants. This includes management, operations, ongoing training, and support. The initial on-the-job training program consists of 240 hours.
  • Management support: Del Taco offers its franchisees solid management support and mentorship to be successful in their businesses. Franchisees get guidance on restaurant operations from the brand’s top leadership
  • Customized marketing department: The brand has creative and customized marketing strategies. It has a dedicated marketing team to offer franchisees successful restaurant openings, targeted marketing, and promotional campaigns to create awareness of their local stores and reach a wider geographical market.
  • Real estate support: Franchisees get access to an experienced in-house real estate team that helps identify a viable business location in terms of traffic assessment and future growth possibilities. Also, franchisees get help with design and construction plans, as well as lease negotiations.
  • Multiple income channels: The brand employs a drive-through design and a mobile app to boost franchisees’ sales. Franchisees can provide their customers with flexible on- and off-premises dining options, build loyalty, and improve their bottom lines.
  • Exclusive territory protection: The franchisor provides its franchisees with an exclusive development area to operate their restaurants. It does not grant any other franchises or operate a competitive channel in the designated area.
  • Incentive development program: Del Taco offers incentives to selected groups such as veterans, minorities, and multi-unit franchisees. Franchisees benefit from the opportunity to operate and expand into multi-unit restaurants, riding on well-established infrastructure and resources.

Cons

  • No absentee ownership: The franchise is not a passive investment opportunity. The franchisees need to be fully involved in the decision-making and daily operations of the restaurant.
  • Not a part-time venture: Del Taco is not a part-time business. Franchisees are required to keep the restaurant open full-time or as per the franchisor’s set hours of business.
  • No financing: The brand does not offer direct or indirect financing to franchisees for the franchise fee, startup costs, equipment, inventory, accounts receivable, or payroll.

How much does a Del Taco franchise cost?

On average, you would need to spend around $1,504,000 to buy and start a Del Taco franchise.

The investment may vary depending on the type of franchise you choose:

The amount you are about to pay as the initial investment will cover all the startup costs a restaurant needs in the beginning. In addition to the initial franchise fee of $35,000, you would also pay for:

  • Formation costs: professional fees, leasehold payment, building, site work, architect/engineering fees, furnishings, fixtures, equipment, computer systems, technical support fee, initial training, crew training, licenses, fees and deposits, etc.
  • Promotional fee: initial advertising
  • Operating costs: insurance, inventory, minimum working capital, etc.
Type of ExpenditureLowHigh
Initial franchise fee$35,000$35,000
Formation costs$1,000,700$2,350,500
Promotional fee$10,000$10,000
Operating costs$35,000$72,000
Total$1,080,700$2,467,500
Source: 2023 Franchise Disclosure Document

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How much can you make with a Del Taco franchise?

On average, a Del Taco franchise makes $1,525,000 in sales per year (the “Average Unit Volume”).

The sales number is the annual median gross sales of all Del Taco franchised restaurants. 

Sales numbers are steadily growing over the year (+47.78% revenue growth in 2022 vs 2013). Although the growth rate became somewhat slower due to COVID-19.

Fiscal YearMedian Gross Sales% yoy change
20131,031,810
20141,086,2585.28%
20151,158,9996.70%
20161,240,9287.07%
20171,256,9831.29%
20181,323,4695.29%
20191,335,8950.94%
20201,345,3410.71%
20211,464,3988.85%
20221,524,8364.13%
Source: 2023 Franchise Disclosure Document

How profitable is a Del Taco franchise?

As per the latest Franchise Disclosure Document, a Del Taco franchise makes $289,000 in profits per year on average. This represents a 17.2% EBITDA margin.

Fortunately, Del Taco provides detailed cost information in its latest FDD, which we have summarized below.

Profit and lossAmount% Sales
Sales$1,677,033100%
Food & paper$477,20128.5%
Labor$481,43928.7%
Benefits$86,9655.2%
Utilities$63,9163.8%
Repairs & supplies$58,1173.5%
Miscellaneous$63,9943.8%
Advertising$67,0814.0%
Insurance$5,6890.3%
Royalty$83,8525.0%
EBITDA$288,77917.2%
Source: Franchise Disclosure Document 2023

Is a Del Taco franchise a good investment?

To answer this question, we need to look at the payback period: the time it takes for an investment (like buying a franchise) to repay itself.

We estimate that it takes on average 6 years for a Del Taco franchisee to repay the original investment (the $1,504,000) with profits generated by the business.

This is an average payback period we found vs. similar franchise (most restaurant franchises have payback periods of about 7 years).

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Disclaimer

Disclaimer: This content has been made for informational and educational purposes only. We do not make any representation or warranties with respect to the accuracy, applicability, fitness, or completeness of the information presented in the article. You should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other professional advice. Nothing contained in this article constitutes a solicitation, recommendation, endorsement, advertisement, or offer to buy or sell any franchises, securities, or other financial instruments in this or in any other jurisdiction in which such solicitation or offer would be unlawful under the franchise and/or securities laws of such jurisdiction.

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