Del Taco has completed a 20-unit development agreement with Larry Blumberg & Associates, a premier hospitality operator based in Dothan, Alabama, that will take the Del Taco brand to new markets in Alabama and Northern Florida.
Larry Blumberg & Associates operates 68 hotels in 11 states, representing the Marriott and Hilton brands. This new development agreement will bring Del Taco back to Alabama for the first time in over 20 years with the first location planned for Dothan in early 2013.
“Del Taco’s fresher, better food made the brand an ideal choice for our first restaurant concept. We are confident that Del Taco’s positive history will also add to the brand’s success in the Southeast,” says Bill Davis, senior vice president of commercial development for Larry Blumberg & Associates.
Del Taco began expanding into the Southeast three years ago with locations in Orlando. New locations in Dallas, Atlanta, Houston, and Rock Hill, South Carolina have followed.
In addition to the first location in Dothan, Larry Blumberg & Associates is planning at least a dozen locations in Alabama including Huntsville, Montgomery, and Birmingham/Tuscaloosa. In Florida, the company is planning locations in Tallahassee and Jacksonville.
“The experienced team behind Larry Blumberg & Associates will drive Del Taco’s success in these new markets,” says Paul Murphy, Del Taco CEO. “We are excited to have in Larry Blumberg & Associates a franchise partner who deeply values service and knows how to deliver top-quality customer value.”
According to Murphy, communities throughout the Southeast are prime for Del Taco’s quality and variety of food, value, and convenience. Del Taco prepares all menu items to order using fresh ingredients including cheddar cheese grated from 40-pound blocks, hand-made pico de gallo salsa, slow-cooked, lard-free beans, and marinated chicken grilled in the restaurant.
Del Taco’s menu features popular Mexican items including tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and nachos as well as American favorites such as cooked-to-order burgers, crinkle-cut fries, and handmade shakes.
Del Taco also serves breakfast, and most restaurants are open 24 hours with a drive thru. Del Taco has more than 545 restaurants in 17 states.