A chain of Mexican fast-food restaurants has big plans for its return to the Atlanta market.

Del Taco looks to open more than 60 locations in the metro area, according to an announcement from the company.

The first restaurant opened Feb. 15 in Snellville. Another is set to open this April in Kennesaw.

Del Taco operated in Atlanta during the 1990s, sharing space with Mrs. Winner's Chicken and Biscuits. "For years, our fans have been asking us to return,” CEO Paul Murphy said in a statement.

The Lake Forest Calif.-based chain has more than 530 restaurants in 17 states, according to the company.

ATLANTA, GA (WABE) - The Mexican fast-food chain Del Taco is expanding into the Atlanta market.

Wednesday, the chain opened a store in Snellville, the first of 60 restaurants planned for the metro area.

But it's not the first time Del Taco's tried Atlanta.

CEO Paul Murphy says when the chain first came to Atlanta in the 90s, it shared space with Mrs. Winner's Chicken.

That turned out to be a not-so-great business model.

"Quite frankly, not all co-branding efforts work as well as others," Murphy says.

All new restaurants are stand-alone Del Tacos.
Murphy says Atlanta customers will experience a somewhat more evolved Del Taco than what they might remember.

"It'll be different because the building is different. The look and feel of the brand is different."

Murphy says think less "fast-food," more "fast-casual."

In all, the chain plans to hire 1,200 - 1,500 new employees here as the chain reaches its goal of 60 new stores.

Del Taco officials said Thursday it has sold six corporate restaurant locations in Phoenix to the chain’s largest franchisee in Arizona. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Desert Taco, a franchise operator that previously owned 14 Del Taco units, now owns 20 of the area’s 26 restaurants.

What's old is becoming new again in Central Florida, as several restaurant chains that left town years ago have begun returning.

Bennigan's, Schlotzsky's, Del Taco and Bruegger's have all decided to give the area a second chance.

Del Taco recognized the achievements of several franchise owners and the brand’s founder at its recent franchisee conference. Awards were presented to the Developer of the Year, Franchise Operator of less than three units and a multi-unit operator.

Franchisees in Texas, Utah and other western states are expected to drive expansion for Mexican-flavored burger chain Del Taco LLC.

“We still have room to grow in Southern California, but not at the rate that we feel the brand should grow at,” said Jim Lyons, Del Taco’s chief development officer and franchising chief operating officer. “We could not achieve the pace of growth that we’re looking for strictly through Southern California.”

Del Taco announced a major growth initiative for Utah with the signing of a development agreement with franchisees Paul and Jane Hitzelberger of Utah Del, which will result in the addition of 13 new Del Taco locations in the state that already has 24 locations.

"Utah is a critical and growing market for Del Taco," says Jim Lyons, COO, franchising and chief development officer at Del Taco. "Our franchise partners Paul and Jane Hitzelberger are among the best in the business, and these growth plans will continue to bring Del Taco's great tasting food to more communities."