Closing 2002 with a strong demand from experienced restaurant franchisees, Del Taco announced on Friday that it has signed five new development agreements in December 2002 for a total of 31 new restaurants, including first-time stores in three new markets.

The agreements, signed with experienced multi-unit operators, include 12 stores in St. Louis/St. Charles, Mo., four stores in St. George, Utah/Mesquite, Nev., one new store in Los Angeles and the new markets of Santa Barbara/San Luis Obispo, Calif., with four stores, downtown San Francisco with five stores and Rockford, Ill., with six stores.

“We are definitely one of the hottest franchised restaurant concepts on the market today,” said Helen Trent, director of franchise sales. “Veteran restaurant operators have seen how our volumes exceed many national quick-service restaurant chains and they are very impressed with the consistent sales track record that the executive team produces for their franchisees year after year.”