The History of Del Taco

The first Del Taco was opened in 1964 by founders Ed Hackbarth and David Jameson. The first location was in Yermo, California and featured a menu of tacos, tostadas, and fries for 19 cents each as well as 24-cent cheeseburgers. On opening day, the restaurant reportedly earned $169 in sales. During the 1970s, Del Taco expanded into a robust chain with over 100 locations. The menu also expanded and items like bun tacos, quesadillas, and ice cream sundaes were added. In the late 1980s, many Del Taco locations began to operate on a 24/7 schedule to better serve increasingly busy customers. The 1990s brought a new logo design and expansion that continued into the 2000s. In 2008, the 500th Del Taco location was opened and the chain’s beloved Caramel Cheesecake Bites debuted around the same time. In the 2010s, Del Taco added fresh ingredients like sliced avocado to the menu and also introduced more affordable pricing through the Buck & Under Menu. Today, Del Taco remains a popular Mexican-style fast-food restaurant with over 500 locations in more than 15 different states.