Who Owns Del Taco?

Del Taco was founded in 1964 by Ed Hackbarth and Nils Hackbarth in Yermo, California. The original concept combined quick-service restaurant efficiency with Mexican-inspired cuisine, offering tacos, burritos, and other Mexican-American food items. This founding vision demonstrated exceptional insight into the growing demand for convenient Mexican-inspired food while establishing a distinctive approach that would define the quick-service Mexican restaurant category for generations.

The brand expanded throughout California and the western United States during the 1970s and 1980s. This period of expansion demonstrated Del Taco's exceptional ability to scale operations while maintaining consistent brand positioning and quality standards that would define the brand for decades. The company's focus on combining quick-service efficiency with authentic Mexican-inspired flavors created a competitive advantage in the fast-casual dining market.

Del Taco went public in 1993, becoming a publicly traded company. This strategic milestone demonstrated Del Taco's exceptional ability to access capital markets while maintaining its core brand identity and operational independence. The company continued expanding its restaurant footprint across the United States while maintaining its focus on quick-service Mexican-inspired cuisine. Del Taco has experienced various ownership changes and strategic initiatives over the decades while remaining a publicly traded entity, demonstrating exceptional resilience and adaptability in changing market conditions.

In recent years, Del Taco has focused on modernizing its restaurant locations, expanding its menu offerings, and increasing its digital and delivery capabilities. This continued evolution demonstrates Del Taco's exceptional ability to adapt to changing consumer preferences and technological advancements while maintaining its core brand values and commitment to quality Mexican-inspired cuisine. The company has maintained its position as an independent publicly traded quick-service restaurant company competing in the Mexican-inspired fast-casual dining segment. The brand's continued success represents a significant milestone in the evolution of American quick-service restaurants and consumer-focused Mexican cuisine solutions.