Yes please!
Ladies and gentlemen! I give you the original location where it all started: where risks were taken, and a dream became real. In the hot, burning desert, a stand-alone food stand transformed into DEL TACO. To be exact, Casa Del Taco.
In 1954, Air Force veteran Ed Hackbarth began managing Bell’s Hot Dog in San Bernardino. It got his wheels turning and inspired him to open Casa Del Taco in 1961 in Yermo, California.
His menu started off simple, with 19-cent tacos, 24-cent cheeseburgers, tostadas, and fries.
By 1964, Ed had taken on a business partner, real estate broker David Jameson. Their first restaurant brought in $169 in sales on its first day. Pretty good, I’d say! With their new partnership, they began franchising. That same year, they opened their fourth Casa Del Taco in Corona, California, which became their first location with a drive-thru.
As the Corona location thrived, Ed and David brought on a third partner, Dick Naugle. Impressed by how they ran their business, Dick joined them in 1966. That same year, they founded Red-E-Food Systems, Inc.
In 1973, Red-E-Food Systems, Inc. was renamed Del Taco, Inc., and they decided to drop “Casa” from the name, leaving it simply as Del Taco.
By 1976, big changes were on the horizon. Dick left the partnership, and Ed and David sold Del Taco to investors. In 1977, the investors sold the exclusive rights to use and develop the Del Taco name throughout the United States to W.R. Grace & Co.
After many years of ups and downs, Del Taco Restaurants, Inc. was sold to Taco Bell. However, in 1992, the rights to the Del Taco name were resold back to Del Taco, Inc. Let me tell you, folks—it was a messy few years! (And man, do I want some crinkle-cut fries right about now…)
Continuing on…
In 1996, Del Taco’s world headquarters settled in Lake Forest, California—just 25 minutes away from Disneyland! Very important… very important…
From 1994 to 1998, Del Taco saw a period of growth after a period of contraction. In 1995, Del Taco had 300 stores, rather than the 500 they had initially hoped to reach. But by 1997, things were looking up, with total sales hitting an estimated $250 million. By December 1998, Del Taco had 325 stores in 12 states.
Skipping ahead to more recent news…
With mixed emotions (and a hint of anger), we come to December 6, 2021, when Jack in the Box announced it was acquiring Del Taco. They said the merger would lead to a stronger financial model, greater scale to invest in digital and technological capabilities, and unit growth for both brands. Let’s hope they’re right! May the force be with you!
If this means Del Taco’s food starts tasting like it did before 2005, then I’m okay with it.
So, next time you drive through or walk into a Del Taco, take a moment to appreciate the dream that turned into the Del Taco we know today.
Fun Facts:
• When Ed Hackbarth worked at Bell’s Hot Dog in San Bernardino, it was co-owned by Glen Bell, who later founded Taco Bell.
• There is a Del Taco secret menu!
• Dick Naugle originally met Ed and David when he installed the kitchen equipment in the Corona store.
