OTHER NEWS - July 30, 1992

Del Taco Plans Rapid Expansion in 1990s: As the nation’s appetite for Mexican food grows, Costa Mesa-based Del Taco wants a bigger slice of the fast-food enchilada. President Kevin Moriarty said the company, with 320 restaurants, wants to expand to 500 by 1995, then add 225 per year from 1996 through 2000. Company officials say there’s enough room for both Del Taco and Taco Bell at the fast-food windows as Americans’ tastes shift toward spicier ethnic foods. “People talk about taco wars, but this isn’t really a war,” said Paul Hitzelberger, Del Taco’s executive vice president for marketing. “It’s almost like we’re friends, because we’re building the category together.”