ezCater, the leading food technology platform for workplaces across the United States, has announced an expansion of its partnership with Del Taco, one of the nation’s most recognizable quick-service Mexican restaurant brands. The strengthened collaboration aims to scale Del Taco’s catering business and capture rising demand for workplace meals, while also introducing the brand to thousands of new customers in offices, schools, hospitals, and corporate environments nationwide.
Currently, nearly 250 Del Taco locations are available on the ezCater marketplace, giving workplaces in key regions access to the chain’s wide-ranging Mexican-inspired menu. A phased rollout of additional Del Taco restaurants will continue through 2026, significantly growing the chain’s reach within the workplace catering channel.
Workplace Catering as a Growth Engine
For Del Taco, catering is not simply an add-on service; it has emerged as a strategic marketing channel that both builds brand visibility and drives incremental revenue. According to proprietary data from ezCater, 70% of employees who try a restaurant for the first time through workplace catering go on to order from that same restaurant again in their personal lives. That conversion rate demonstrates the powerful ability of catering to attract new customers, create lasting impressions, and expand brand loyalty.
Sarah McAloon, Interim Brand President of Del Taco, underscored the importance of this partnership in advancing the brand’s growth strategy.
“Expanding our partnership with ezCater allows us to seamlessly grow our catering business and bring Del Taco to more workplaces nationwide,” McAloon said. “This collaboration supports our broader brand vision of meeting guests wherever they are—whether dining in, picking up, or ordering for a team lunch. We’re excited to introduce more people to the bold flavors of Del Taco in a way that builds awareness, drives trial, and creates new loyal fans.”
Scaling Operations Through Technology
The expanded partnership provides Del Taco with access to ezCater’s nationwide workplace network as well as its suite of catering-specific technology solutions. By using ezOrdering, Del Taco has been able to integrate catering functionality directly into its own website, making it easier for customers to place large orders online. Meanwhile, ezDispatch connects Del Taco locations with trusted, local delivery partners, ensuring catering orders arrive reliably and on time.
In addition to logistics and digital infrastructure, Del Taco has tapped into ezCater’s 18 years of catering expertise to optimize its menu for workplace settings. Menu enhancements include options designed specifically for group dining and ease of serving, such as Build Your Own Taco Kits, Burrito Boxes, and bulk-sized sides and beverages. These offerings cater to diverse workplaces and events, making it simple for office managers, team leaders, or HR departments to serve meals that are both crowd-pleasing and efficient to set up.
A Win-Win for Customers and Franchisees
Cindy Klein Roche, Chief Growth Officer at ezCater, highlighted the mutual benefits of the collaboration.
“We’re excited to help Del Taco turn workplaces into a new source of loyal customers and growth for their franchisees,” Roche said. “Their flavorful menu is a huge win for our customers. The craveable tacos, burritos, and fresh flavors Del Taco is known for make the workday more enjoyable, and more productive!”
For franchisees, the partnership provides a valuable incremental revenue stream. Catering orders are often high-value transactions, ranging from team lunches for 20 to corporate events serving hundreds. By leveraging ezCater’s platform, franchise operators can capture these large-scale opportunities without having to build out dedicated infrastructure on their own. The system provides marketing exposure, logistics support, and repeat business, all while maintaining operational simplicity for local restaurant managers.
The Broader Workplace Catering Landscape
The workplace catering segment has grown significantly in recent years as employers increasingly look for ways to boost employee morale, encourage collaboration, and provide perks that improve workplace culture. Post-pandemic, many organizations have leaned into food as a way to bring teams together in hybrid and in-person settings.
ezCater has emerged as the go-to platform for this demand, connecting more than 100,000 restaurants nationwide with businesses of all sizes. The company’s technology helps restaurants streamline the process of accepting, preparing, and delivering large orders, while also helping employers access reliable catering at scale.
For brands like Del Taco, this ecosystem provides not only new revenue but also a built-in channel for customer acquisition. By placing Del Taco food in offices, boardrooms, and break rooms, the brand has the chance to reach individuals who may not have previously considered it for personal meals. Once exposed, many of those employees are likely to become repeat customers at Del Taco’s traditional restaurant locations.
Meeting Consumers Where They Are
Del Taco’s decision to expand its catering footprint reflects its broader ambition to serve customers across multiple channels. The chain, known for combining the freshness of Mexican cuisine with the speed and value of a quick-service restaurant, has long appealed to both dine-in and drive-thru customers. Now, with catering added as a third pillar of service, the brand is positioned to capture new dining occasions that extend beyond individual or family meals.
This expansion also reinforces the chain’s strategy of building brand affinity through shared experiences. Workplace meals are inherently social, bringing colleagues together over food. By becoming part of those gatherings, Del Taco has the opportunity to deepen emotional connections with consumers, turning a simple taco into a positive memory associated with team collaboration and workplace enjoyment.
