Del Taco franchise: cost, fees and total investment
Short answer: The Del Taco franchise fee is $35,000 and the total initial investment ranges from $1,497,200 to $3,321,000, with about $390,000 in liquid cash required, based on franchise disclosure data compiled in October 2026. Confirm current figures in Items 5 and 7 of the Del Taco FDD.
What are the Del Taco franchise fees and investment?
The Del Taco franchise requires a franchise fee of $35,000 and a total initial investment of $1,497,200 to $3,321,000. The franchise fee is one line inside the total investment, which also covers location, equipment, opening inventory and working capital.
| Franchise fee (FDD Item 5) | $35,000 |
|---|---|
| Total initial investment (FDD Item 7) | $1,497,200 to $3,321,000 |
| Minimum liquid cash | $390,000 |
| US locations | 594 |
| Industry | Food & Restaurant (Taco Chains) |
| Headquarters | Lake Forest, California |
| Founded | 1988 |
| Franchising since | 1990 |
How does the Del Taco investment compare with other food & restaurant franchises?
Del Taco's minimum investment of $1,497,200 is above the median minimum investment of $297,082 across the 1213 food & restaurant franchises in the SelectFranchiseList database. 59 of the other 1211 brands in this industry start at a higher investment. Its franchise fee starting at $35,000 compares with an industry median of $35,000.
By minimum investment, Del Taco belongs with franchises over $500,000.
What should you verify in the Del Taco FDD?
Verify six parts of the Del Taco Franchise Disclosure Document before you sign, because figures change with every annual FDD:
- Item 5 and Item 6: the current franchise fee, royalty, marketing fund and technology fees.
- Item 7: the full investment range by expense line, including working capital.
- Item 19: whether Del Taco discloses financial performance data, and which units it covers.
- Item 20: openings, closures and transfers, plus contacts for current and former franchisees.
- Item 21: the franchisor's audited financial statements.
- Item 12: whether your territory is protected.
The full list of Items is in the FDD guide. You must receive the FDD at least 14 calendar days before you sign a binding agreement or pay any money.
Which franchises are similar to Del Taco?
These food & restaurant franchises have the closest minimum investment to Del Taco:
| Franchise | Franchise fee | Total investment |
|---|---|---|
| Buffalo Wings & Rings | $0 to $40,000 | $1,503,100 to $2,015,500 |
| Freddy's | $35,000 | $1,487,598 to $2,753,566 |
| Carl's Jr. | $25,000 | $1,486,000 to $3,176,500 |
| Fazoli's | $50,000 | $1,510,500 to $2,399,500 |
| DQ Grill & Chill | $45,000 | $1,516,200 to $2,543,050 |
See every brand in food & restaurant franchises.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Del Taco franchise cost?
The total initial investment for a Del Taco franchise ranges from $1,497,200 to $3,321,000, including a franchise fee of $35,000, according to franchise disclosure data compiled in October 2026. The exact amount depends on location, build-out and working capital, as shown in Item 7 of the FDD.
How much cash do you need to open a Del Taco franchise?
Del Taco lists a minimum of about $390,000 in liquid cash. Lenders usually finance part of the remaining investment, and the franchisor confirms its capital requirements during qualification.
How many Del Taco locations are there?
Del Taco reported 594 US locations in the data compiled in October 2026. Item 20 of the FDD shows openings, closures and transfers for the last three years.
How long has Del Taco been franchising?
Del Taco started offering franchises in 1990 after the company was founded in 1988.
Figures are compiled from franchise disclosure data and public franchise listings as of October 2026 and may have changed. Del Taco and its trademarks belong to their owner; SelectFranchiseList is not affiliated with or endorsed by Del Taco. This page is not an offer to sell a franchise. Only the franchisor's current FDD is authoritative.