Del Taco resumes operations at a majority of its Colorado branches.
In an effort to revive its presence in the fast-food Mexican market, Del Taco, a popular quick-service restaurant chain, has announced plans to reopen 17 of its closed locations in Colorado. This move comes after the closure of 18 Del Taco restaurants across the state earlier this year, leaving only one franchise-owned location in Grand Junction still operational [1][2][3][4].
The bankruptcy filing by the franchisee, Newport Ventures, was the primary reason for the initial closures. The company, which owned 18 of the 19 Colorado locations, filed for bankruptcy last year, leading to financial troubles [4]. The lender accused the franchisee of misappropriation of funds and multiple technical defaults on its loan [1].
Despite the financial challenges, the franchisee maintained that the stores were profitable and generating income [1]. However, a decision by the lender to pull support led to the closure of the locations [2].
In response to this situation, Del Taco's parent company, Jack in the Box Inc., which acquired Del Taco in 2022, has stepped in to reopen the closed locations. The reopening will be phased, with some locations like the Aurora location at 3465 Salida Street not returning [2].
This decision comes at a crucial time for Del Taco, as the parent company is in the process of being sold [5]. Jack in the Box CEO Lance Tucker stated that Del Taco "can thrive," but needs to be in a situation that is likely not with Jack in the Box [5].
The reopening of the Del Taco restaurants in Colorado marks a significant step towards restoring the chain's presence in the state. Three locations are already listed as open on the company's website, with the remaining locations listed as "temporarily closed" [2].
This illustrates a combination of franchisee financial troubles causing closures, followed by corporate efforts to revive Del Taco's footprint in Colorado [1][2][3][4]. The journalist covering this story, a longtime industry journalist with a focus on quick-service restaurants, restaurant finance, mergers and acquisitions, and the economy, is writing for Restaurant Business [6].
References: [1] Restaurant Business (2025). Del Taco Franchisee Accused of Misappropriation of Funds, Multiple Technical Defaults. Retrieved from https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/financing/del-taco-franchisee-accused-of-misappropriation-of-funds-multiple-technical-defaults [2] Restaurant Business (2025). Del Taco to Reopen 17 Colorado Locations Amid Bankruptcy. Retrieved from https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/operations/del-taco-to-reopen-17-colorado-locations-amid-bankruptcy [3] Restaurant Business (2025). Del Taco's Same-Store Sales Decline 3.6% Last Quarter. Retrieved from https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/financing/del-taco-s-same-store-sales-decline-3-6-last-quarter [4] Restaurant Business (2025). Del Taco Franchisee Files for Bankruptcy, Closes 18 Colorado Locations. Retrieved from https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/operations/del-taco-franchisee-files-for-bankruptcy-closes-18-colorado-locations [5] QSR Magazine (2025). Jack in the Box CEO on Del Taco's Future. Retrieved from https://www.qsrmagazine.com/finance/jack-box-ceo-del-tacos-future [6] Restaurant Business (2025). NewsQuick_Servicefranchising Editor-in-Chief. Retrieved from https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/newsquick_servicefranchising/editor-in-chief
- The financial challenges faced by Newport Ventures, a Del Taco franchisee, led to the closure of 18 locations in Colorado, signifying the importance of careful financial management in a food-and-drink business.
- As Del Taco's parent company, Jack in the Box Inc., plans to sell, the decision to reopen 17 closed Del Taco restaurants in Colorado showcases the potential for franchising to revive restaurant businesses and influence a chain's lifestyle and market presence.
- The reopening of Del Taco restaurants in Colorado could attract investment opportunities in the food-and-drink industry, demonstrating the vital role of finance in the success and revival of a business.