Operations
Del Taco launches unit inside Circus Circus Hotel & Casino
Del Taco has lauched a unit inside the Circus Circus in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Mexican QSR brand plans a unit in the Excalibur soon.
August 17, 2023 by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Networld Media Group
Del Taco has opened a restaurant in the Circus Circus, a Las Vegas casino hotel. The unit is owned by franchisee Feel Good Brands, with plans to open another casino location at the Excalibur.
"We are thrilled to bring the iconic Del Taco brand to the equally iconic Circus Circus and Excalibur Casinos. The two stores provide guests access to a quality, convenient option to satisfy their late-night, early-morning cravings, and everything in between," Lincoln Spoor, founder and CEO of Feel Good Brands, said in a company press release announcing the opening. "We know our guests work up an appetite while exploring the 'always on' atmosphere of the Las Vegas Strip. Del Taco's commitment to using high-quality, fresh ingredients to create a convenient, hearty meal remains at the heart of this partnership."
QSRweb talked to Tim Hackbardt, Del Taco's CMO, to learn more about the opening and why casino hotels make great locations for the QSR brand.
Q. What was the impetus behind the Del Taco opening? How long was the opening in the planning stages?
A. We announced the partnership in late 2021 and have been working with Feel Good Brands since to plan, construct and ready the first restaurant to open in Circus Circus Hotel & Resort. Our second casino restaurant at Excalibur is planned to open shortly.
Q.Why a casino hotel, and why was Circus Circus chosen?
A. This is a perfect example of how Del Taco still has significant opportunities to grow even in a heavily populated geography through non-traditional sites. We are well penetrated in Las Vegas with almost 40 restaurants, but for years we've been looking for an opportunity to serve all the tourist visitors on the Las Vegas Strip, as we believe it will help us not only locally, but also help us to introduce the brand to customers nationally as they travel in and out of Las Vegas.
Q.Why did Del Taco choose the Fresh Flex design?
A.Fresh Flex is the bold, new prototype design that we are building across the country. The Fresh Flex design's striking exteriors and distinctive interiors evoke a contemporary feel, while lowering net investment costs, improving real estate flexibility(including non-traditional sites like casinos and hotels), and providing ultimate convenience for guests and operators. With innovative additions like pick-up lockers for mobile orders, the future-focused model optimizes operational efficiencies and caters to modern consumers' expectations: accessibility, speed of service and brand transparency. The great part of the Fresh Flex design is that it is flexible and allows us to bring Del Taco to even small footprints like inside a casino.
Q. How does the casino location differ from traditional operations?
A. Guests at our restaurants are on-the-go, exploring all the Las Vegas Strip has to offer. They need delicious food that fits their time and convenience needs and Del Taco is just that. The brand's dedication to fresh, quality ingredients in a quick-service format fits perfectly within the footprint of a Las Vegas casino and we know visitors are going to be thrilled at the idea of accessing this popular brand inside our casino food court operations.
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Q.Will this Del Taco location offer the brand's full menu? Are there any specialty items that can only be found at Circus Circus?
A. Our casino locations serve a streamlined menu featuring many of Del Taco's favorite items such as The Del Taco, Epic Burritos, Crinkle Cut Fries and more.
Q. How are the brand's hours compared to a traditional Del Taco? Does it stay open later for the late-night casino crowds?
A.Hours are specific to each casino location and will be open as late as 3 a.m. on the weekends. The Circus Circus Taco John's is open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 12 midnight. Fridays and Saturdays the restaurant will be open from 7 a.m. to 3 a.m., and on Sundays, expect to find it up from 7 a.m. to midnight. At the Excalibur, the restaurant will be open Sunday through Thursday from 7 a.m. until midnight, and Fridays and Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 3 a.m.
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Q.Are there more casino hotel openings planned for Del Taco?
A.We are focused on opening these restaurants for now but are excited about future opportunities.
Visit Del Taco Franchise for more information.
Q.What has the brand learned from the Circus Circus opening that will be used in future hotel openings?
A.The guests are excited to be able to get Del Taco right where they are staying. In terms of operations, too soon to tell but we will capture feedback from our opening team and adjust accordingly.
Q.If you have a piece of advice to give to another brand about opening in a casino hotel, what would you tell them?
A.A timeless brand partnering with great operators = a winning hand!
About Mandy Wolf Detwiler
Mandy Wolf Detwiler is the managing editor at Networld Media Group and the site editor for PizzaMarketplace.com and QSRweb.com. She has more than 20 years’ experience covering food, people and places.
An award-winning print journalist, Mandy brings more than 20 years’ experience to Networld Media Group. She has spent nearly two decades covering the pizza industry, from independent pizzerias to multi-unit chains and every size business in between. Mandy has been featured on the Food Network and has won numerous awards for her coverage of the restaurant industry. She has an insatiable appetite for learning, and can tell you where to find the best slices in the country after spending 15 years traveling and eating pizza for a living.
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