Sponsored By

Del Taco takes a jab at Taco Bell with new combo dealDel Taco takes a jab at Taco Bell with new combo deal

The chain joins Taco Bell, McDonald’s in offering $5 mix-and-match offers

Nancy Luna, Senior editor, Nation's Restaurant News

August 28, 2018

2 Min Read
Del Taco
Del Taco

Last month, Del Taco CEO John D. Cappasola Jr. told investors that consumers were devouring its Chicken Quesadilla Snacker, the brand’s newest addition to the Buck and Under menu.

The problem: the product became too popular, hurting check averages and putting a slight dent into same-store sales.  As a result, Cappasola Jr. said the Mexican quick-service chain would pivot its marketing to showcase mid-tier and premium items.

This week, the Lake Forest, Calif.-based brand is making good on that promise with the introduction of the 2 for $5 Mix and Match Classic Burrito special, which allows customers to choose two of the chain’s five classic burritos for $5. The deal will be available through Sept. 26. 

Del Taco joins quick-service competitors Taco Bell and McDonald’s in offering combo deals at the $5 price point.

In promoting the deal, Del Taco takes a jab at its Goliath rival Taco Bell, whose $5 Box deal is popular and available nationwide. The Taco Bell deal typically includes two or three value items like Crunchy tacos and Nacho Fries and a beverage.

Del Taco’s $5 deal includes combining burritos that normally cost between $3.49-$3.69, so customers save at least $2 on the special.

“Five-dollar box deals limit your choices by boxing you in to set products, forcing you to choose between a low price and getting what you really want,” Barry Westrum, Del Taco’s Chief Marketing Officer, said in a statement. “We’re changing the game on what $5 value deals can mean when it comes to restaurant value,”

The five mid-tier burritos included as choices are the Del Combo Burrito, Classic or Spicy Grilled Chicken Burritos, the Del Beef Burrito, and the 8 Layer Veggie Burrito.

“We love giving our guests the ability to mix and match their favorites, or try something new,” Westrum said.

mcdonalds-mix-match-deal_1.png

In early August, McDonald’s also launched 2 for $5 Mix & Match Deal. Customers can choose two items from a list of classic menu items including the Big Mac, Filet-O-Fish, a 10-piece Chicken McNuggets and the Classic Chicken Sandwich.

Del Taco has more than 560 locations.

Contact Nancy Luna at [email protected]

Follow her on Twitter: @FastFoodMaven

About the Author

Nancy Luna

Senior editor, Nation's Restaurant News

Nancy Luna is a senior editor at Nation's Restaurant News and a contributing editor at Supermarket News. She covers the industry's largest and most talked about fast-food brands including McDonald's, Starbucks, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, KFC and Subway. She is an award-winning journalist with more than 25 years reporting experience. As a veteran business reporter based in Southern California, Nancy has covered some of the country's most beloved food and retail brands including In-N-Out, Taco Bell, Trader Joe's, Aldi, Whole Foods Market, Target and Costco. Luna is a graduate of Cal State Fullerton. When she's not digging for news on her beat, you can find Nancy regaling her fans about her latest dining adventures on her Fast Food Maven social media channels. Contact [email protected]  or follow her on Twitter at https://twitter.com/fastfoodmaven

Subscribe Nation's Restaurant News Newsletters
Get the latest breaking news in the industry, analysis, research, recipes, consumer trends, the latest products and more.