Multi-Unit Franchisee Magazine Issue III, 2014 | Page 30

2014 MVP AWARDS
BY DEBBIE SELINSKY

Del Taco Man

Franchisee, franchisor, family man, innovator

I

f Del Taco were a sports team, Paul Hitzelberger would not only be its MVP, he’d
also be the GM and coach. For the past
three decades, he’s been on both sides
of the business, as franchisor and franchisee,
playing a leading role in helping the brand
grow to more than 540 restaurants in 17 states.
After serving 15 years as chief marketing
officer for Del Taco, he retired, but it didn’t
stick. In 2001, the Chicago-born entrepreneur
started a new career as a franchisee, buying
eight Del Taco locations in Utah. “The only
partner I have now is my wife,” he says, adding that he has an “outstanding” relationship
with Del Taco and loves the product.
A former senior officer with General Mills
and franchisor at Coast to Coast stores, Hitzelberger has earned franchisee accolades
over the years, regularly posting the highest
average volume within the Del Taco system.
“Our volumes are impressive, but we can always do better,” he says.
Hitzelberger says he has no doubt that
NAME: Paul Hitzelberger
TITLE: President, CEO of Utah Del, Salt

Lake City
NO. OF UNITS: 26 Del Tacos
AGE: 69 years young
FAMILY: Wife and partner Jane, son

Eric, who works in our business,
daughter Darlene, and 4 grandchildren
YEARS IN FRANCHISING: 32; 13 as a

Del Taco franchisee, 15 with franchisor
Del Taco, 4 with Coast to Coast stores
as franchisor
YEARS IN CURRENT POSITION: 13

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MULTI-UNIT FRANCHISEE IS S UE III, 2014