History of Del Taco in Timeline
Del Taco Restaurants, Inc. is an American fast-food chain headquartered in Lake Forest, California, specializing in tacos, burritos, fries, and burgers. Led by Brand President Tom Rose, Del Taco was acquired by Jack in the Box in March 2022 for $12.51 per share. The chain operates approximately 595 locations across 18 US states.
September 16, 1964: First Del Taco Restaurant Opens
On September 16, 1964, the first Del Taco restaurant, originally named "Casa Del Taco", opened in Yermo, California.
1967: Bean and Cheese Burrito Introduced
In 1967, Del Taco introduced their bean and cheese burrito with green or red sauce.
1976: Del Taco Sold to Investors
In 1976, Hackbarth and Jameson sold Del Taco to a group of investors, who then 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.
1977: Expansion Rights
In 1977, Anwar Soliman purchased the rights to expand Del Taco throughout the US.
1977: 50 Del Taco Restaurants
In 1977, there were 50 Del Taco restaurants.
1978: Licensing Agreement
In 1978, W. R. Grace and Company had a licensing agreement and owned Texas locations.
1978: 100 Del Taco Restaurants
In 1978, there were 100 Del Taco restaurants.
February 1989: Merger with Naugles
In February 1989, Del Taco merged their restaurants with the 171 Naugles' Mexican fast food outlets, increasing its size and spreading as far east as Hickory, North Carolina.
1990: Kevin K. Moriarty Joins Del Taco as CEO
In 1990, Kevin K. Moriarty joined Del Taco as CEO, later becoming the owner and launching efforts to improve the brand's image and customer experience.
August 1992: New Logo Introduced
In August 1992, Del Taco introduced its new logo, featuring a yellow sun rising over green mountains against a red background.
1994: Franchise Deal in the Northeast
From 1994 through 1998, Del Taco shrank and then grew. In 1994, the company signed a deal to open 15 franchise stores in the Northeast with many more in the Southeast.
1997: Total Sales Reached
In 1997, total sales reached an estimated $250 million.
December 1998: Store Count Reaches 325
By December 1998, Del Taco had 325 stores in 12 states.
1999: First Del Taco Mascot
From 1999 through 2000, the first mascot of Del Taco, a character of the same name, was used.
January 2000: Zorro Lawsuit Settled
In January 2000, Del Taco settled a lawsuit by Zorro Productions, Inc., and Tristar Pictures, Inc., regarding the "Del Taco" character infringing on their rights to the Zorro trademark figure and agreed to make changes to the Del Taco character, and soon discontinued the ad campaign.
2000: Store Count and Compass Group Deal
By 2000, Del Taco had 372 stores located in ten US states and signed a deal with Compass Group PLC to open stores on US military bases.
2000: Expansion Plan
Executives announced plans to add another 225 stores by 2000.
2000: "Dan" in Commercials
From 2000 through early 2006, Del Taco used Gregg Binkley to play "Dan" in commercials.
2001: Discrimination Suit Filed
In early 2001, a group of former Del Taco employees filed a discrimination suit against the chain, alleging verbal abuse and discriminatory practices.
2003: Restaurant Sales Exceed $1 Million
In 2003, Del Taco announced that their restaurants had topped $1 million per store in average annual sales.
2006: "Dan" in Commercials
From 2000 through early 2006, Del Taco used Gregg Binkley to play "Dan" in commercials.
2006: Del Taco Purchased by Sagittarius Brands, LLC
In 2006, Del Taco was purchased by private Nashville, Tennessee-based Sagittarius Brands, LLC.
August 2007: "The Beast" Featured in Commercials
From August 2007 through July 2008, Del Taco featured "The Beast" in their commercials. In August 2007, "The Beast" made his debut promoting Del Taco's improved Chicken Soft Taco.
January 2008: 500th Restaurant Opening
In January 2008, Del Taco announced the opening of its 500th restaurant in Burbank, California.
April 2008: "The Beast" Promotes Chicken Quesadilla
In April 2008, "The Beast" endorsed the improved Chicken Quesadilla.
June 2008: "The Beast" Endorses Del's Deal
In June 2008, "The Beast" endorsed Del's Deal.
July 2008: "The Beast" Featured in Commercials
From August 2007 through July 2008, Del Taco featured "The Beast" in their commercials.
August 2008: Mole Men Commercial for Spicy Chicken Mole Soft Taco
In August 2008, Del Taco aired its first commercial featuring miniature "Mole Men" to promote the Spicy Chicken Mole Soft Taco.
September 2008: Promotion of Improved Regular Taco
In September 2008, Del Taco promoted their improved regular taco.
November 2008: Classic Combo Deal
In November 2008, Del Taco promoted the Classic Combo Deal.
January 2009: Meal Deals Under Three Dollars
In January 2009, Del Taco promoted three separate meal deals for under three dollars.
February 2009: Crispy Shrimp Taco
In February 2009, Del Taco promoted the crispy shrimp taco.
April 2009: Chicken Soft Taco
In April 2009, Del Taco promoted the chicken soft taco.
June 2009: Chicken Fajita Burrito
In June 2009, Del Taco promoted the chicken fajita burrito.
December 2012: Cedar Park, Texas Location Opened
2013: Round Rock, Texas Location Opened
In 2013, a Del Taco opened in Round Rock, Texas.
June 30, 2015: Del Taco Becomes Public Company
On June 30, 2015, Del Taco was purchased by Levy Acquisition Corporation and became a public company.
2017: Accusations of Wage and Hour Law Violations
In 2017, Del Taco was accused of violating state wage and hour laws.
June 27, 2018: Del Taco Launches Employee Success Campaign
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."
2018: Qdoba Divested
In 2018, Jack in the Box divested Mexican fast casual purveyor Qdoba, which it had previously owned.
2018: EEOC Lawsuit Filed Against Del Taco
In 2018, the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) filed a lawsuit against Del Taco, alleging harassment of female employees.
April 25, 2019: Introduction of Beyond Tacos
On April 25, 2019, Del Taco introduced plant-based Beyond Tacos nationwide in partnership with Beyond Meat.
January 29, 2020: New Dollar Menu Launched
On January 29, 2020, Del Taco launched a new dollar menu, with items costing a dollar or less before tax.
December 2020: Del Taco Settles EEOC Lawsuit
In December 2020, Del Taco settled the EEOC lawsuit by agreeing to pay $12.5 million and enter a three-year consent decree.
December 6, 2021: Jack in the Box Announces Acquisition of Del Taco
On December 6, 2021, Jack in the Box announced its intent to acquire Del Taco for $12.51 per share.
March 2022: Jack in the Box Acquires Del Taco
In March 2022, the acquisition of Del Taco by Jack in the Box closed for approximately $585 million.
March 2022: Acquisition Finalized
In March 2022, the acquisition of Del Taco by Jack in the Box was finalized.
June 2022: Del Taco Agrees to Settle Class-Action Lawsuit
In June 2022, Del Taco agreed to settle a class-action lawsuit in California for $50 million.
October 16, 2025: Jack in the Box Sells Del Taco
On October 16, 2025, Jack in the Box sold Del Taco to Yadav Enterprises for $115 million.
January 2026: Deal Finalization
The deal of Jack in the Box selling Del Taco to Yadav Enterprises will finalize by January 2026.
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