Triple Net Investment Group

Del Taco

Interested in selling your Del Taco NNN property or Del Taco ground lease property and wondering what you can get for it in today’s changing market?

Contact us for a complimentary broker opinion of value for your off-market Del Taco NNN property for sale or Del Taco ground lease property for investment, specifically tailored to support your 1031 exchange requirements. This valuable assessment will provide you with the clarity needed to make informed decisions regarding the sale of your Del Taco NNN property or the inclusion of a Del Taco ground lease property in your investment portfolio. As specialists in working with 1031 exchange buyers seeking off-market Del Taco properties, we are dedicated to delivering competitive offers with reduced fees to help you maximize your investment returns.

Number of locations

As of 2025, Del Taco operates approximately 600 locations across the Western and Southwestern United States, including California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Texas, and the Southeast.

Del Taco is the second-largest Mexican quick-service chain in the U.S., and its recognizable drive-thru model makes it an attractive option for NNN investors.

Revenue and income

Del Taco is a corporate-owned brand under Jack in the Box (NASDAQ: JACK).
Jack in the Box completed its acquisition of Del Taco in 2022 for $575 million.

Key performance highlights:

  • Strong systemwide sales driven by value pricing and high-volume drive-thru traffic

  • Corporate support through menu innovation and digital ordering

  • Improving unit-level profitability driven by operational integration with Jack in the Box

  • Steady same-store sales growth in core Western markets

Del Taco benefits from:

  • High drive-thru volume

  • Stable value-menu demand

  • Breakfast + late-night revenue segments

  • Strong brand loyalty in the Western U.S.

Future plans

Big Growth Initiatives

1. West and Southwest Expansion Focus

Del Taco plans to expand further into:

  • Texas

  • Utah

  • Colorado

  • Florida

  • Georgia

These are key growth markets supported by both corporate and franchise development.

2. Remodeling & Modernization

New and renovated stores feature:

  • Updated drive-thru design

  • More efficient kitchen layouts

  • Modern exterior branding

  • Digital menu boards

These changes improve customer throughput and boost unit-level economics.

3. Digital Strategy & Mobile Orders

Del Taco continues investing in:

  • Loyalty app expansion

  • Personalized mobile deals

  • Faster drive-thru tech

  • Delivery integrations

Digital revenue now represents a growing share of system sales.

4. Menu Innovation & Product Strategy

Del Taco maintains its competitive edge with:

  • Value-driven combos

  • Taco & burrito bundles

  • Elevated Del Taco “Fresh Mexican Grill” positioning

  • Late-night menu offerings

This diversified menu supports all-day revenue generation.

5. New Prototype Store Designs

Newer Del Taco formats include:

  • Smaller footprints optimized for drive-thru only

  • Double-lane drive-thrus in high-traffic markets

  • Lower development costs, improving long-term rent-to-sales ratios

Corporate vs. franchise

Del Taco was founded in 1964 in Yermo, California, by Ed Hackbarth and David Jameson.

Today:

  • Owned by Jack in the Box (NASDAQ: JACK)

  • Operates through a mix of company-operated and franchised stores

  • Many franchise operators are multi-unit, experienced QSR owners

This results in:

  • Stronger operational support

  • Improved brand consistency

  • More predictable credit stability for landlords

Franchisees with corporate-backed support generally produce reliable rent performance for NNN property owners.

Additional Information About Del Taco Properties

Founded: 1964, Yermo, California
Headquarters: Lake Forest, California, USA

Del Taco is known for:

  • Mexican + American menu mix (tacos, burritos, burgers, fries)

  • Value-driven pricing

  • Late-night and breakfast customer segments

  • Strong brand visibility in Western markets

Typical Del Taco sites include:

  • Drive-thru restaurants

  • High-traffic corridors

  • Dense residential or commuter populations

  • Small-to-medium-size parcels ideal for NNN investors

Real estate advantages:

  • Strong drive-thru sales

  • Efficient labor model

  • Multi-daypart revenue

  • Small pad sites with high residual value

Del Taco History

Del Taco started as a single taco shop in 1964 and quickly expanded across California through high-quality value meals and efficient drive-thru operations.

During the 1970s–1990s, Del Taco grew into one of the major regional QSR brands in the West, known for its unique blend of Mexican and American offerings.

In 2022, it was acquired by Jack in the Box, giving Del Taco improved financial scale, enhanced marketing resources, and new technological investments.

By 2025, the brand maintains nearly 600+ locations, supported by both corporate development and franchise expansion.

Why Invest in Ground Lease and NNN Lease of Del Taco?

Investing in Del Taco’s ground lease and triple net (NNN) lease properties offers compelling reasons:

1) Del Taco NNN Property Investment: Proven drive-thru model

Del Taco restaurants generate consistent daily traffic, benefiting from breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late-night sales.

2) Del Taco NNN Property Investment: Stronger corporate backing

With support from Jack in the Box, Del Taco provides improved credit stability for landlords.

3) Del Taco NNN Property Investment: Passive NNN or ground lease structures

Many Del Taco sites are:

  • Triple net (NNN)

  • Absolute NNN

  • Ground leases

Meaning minimal landlord responsibility.

4) Del Taco NNN Property Investment: Attractive real estate fundamentals

Del Taco sites typically offer:

  • High-traffic intersections

  • Efficient drive-thru pads

  • Stable tenant demand

  • Strong long-term redevelopment potential

5) Del Taco NNN Property Investment: Diverse customer appeal

Del Taco appeals to:

  • Families

  • Commuters

  • Value-focused customers

  • Late-night diners

  • Hispanic and multicultural markets

Pros and Cons of Del Taco Ground Lease and NNN Lease Investment

Pros:

  1. Strong drive-thru sales volume

  2. Stable corporate backing (Jack in the Box)

  3. Passive NNN or absolute NNN leases

  4. Value menu resilience during economic slowdowns

  5. Smaller pad sites with long-term redevelopment potential

Cons:

  1. Regional footprint mostly in the West/Southwest

  2. Competition from Taco Bell, Chipotle, Qdoba, and others

  3. Franchisee strength may vary by operator

  4. Performance tied to drive-thru traffic patterns

  5. Some older buildings may require modernization

Key areas to evaluate:

  • Drive-thru access & traffic counts

  • Corporate vs. franchise operator strength

  • Lease type (NNN vs. absolute NNN vs. ground lease)

  • Rent escalations & guarantee structure

  • Local demographic demand

  • Competition & trade-area performance

Consult experienced real-estate professionals and financial advisors to ensure any Del Taco NNN or ground lease property aligns with your long-term portfolio strategy, 1031 exchange objectives, and risk tolerance.

MarketWatch: Del Taco

MarketWatch: Del Taco

Loading…

Scroll to Top