Del Taco: Delicious Taco!

On September 16, 1964, Ed Hackbarth and David Jameson opened their first Del Taco in, Yermo, California.

Off to a great start
On their first day of business, Del Taco in Yermo, California, brought in the grand sum of $169. Given that tacos were a mere 19¢ and cheese burgers were 24¢, business was off to a great start. The success of this restaurant soon led to four more, with one in Corona, two in Barstow and one in Needles.

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Del Taco’s 572 U.S. Locations

Del Taco is short for “Delicious Taco.”

The Del Taco sun logo was created in 1966.

In 1966, kitchen equipment was installed in the Corona store by Dick Naugle. He was so impressed by the design that he joined Hackbarth and Jameson in the business. The trio founded Red-E-Food Systems, Inc., with the idea of franchising the Del Taco brand. Early in the 1970’s, Naugle left the company and started Naugles. Red-E-Food Systems became Del Taco, Inc.

In 1976, Hackbarth and Jameson sold Del Taco to a group of investors who, in turn, sold the exclusive rights to use and develop the name, “Del Taco” across the U.S., excluding California; Eugene Oregon; and Yuma, Arizona to W. R. Grace and Company. Grace was a chemicals company that was founding a new company, Del Taco Restaurants Inc. of Dallas, Texas. The franchise continued to expand and in 1977 there were 50 Del Taco restaurants and 100 in 1978. By 1981, there were 350 Del Taco
restaurants, most of them located in California.

By 2000, Del Taco had 372 stores located in ten U.S. states and the company signed a deal with the Compass Group PLC that enabled Del Taco to open stores on U.S. military bases.

On June 30, 2015, Del Taco was purchased by Levy Acquisition Corporation and became a public company.

Feel like something yummy?
Del Taco serves both Mexican and American style food. Their menu includes 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, and at least four types of Dinner Burritos.

On June 27, 2018, Del Taco launched a campaign celebrating employees’ successes while working at their restaurants. Their new slogan was: “Celebrating the hardest working hands in fast food.”

Gloria Sauvé
Communications and Marketing

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