Carnitas Return to Del Taco With Five Delicious New Creations, Plus Summer Beverages and Desserts Tied to America's 250th Birthday
Jack in the Box (NASDAQ:JACK)-owned Del Taco has brought back slow-cooked Pork Carnitas as a limited-time summer feature, adding five new carnitas items across tacos, burritos, fries, nachos and breakfast.
Rhea-AI Summary
Jack in the Box (NASDAQ:JACK)-owned Del Taco has brought back slow-cooked Pork Carnitas as a limited-time summer feature, adding five new carnitas items across tacos, burritos, fries, nachos and breakfast.
The lineup also reintroduces Independence Poppers beverages and Funnel Cake Fries priced at $2.50, tied to America's 250th birthday.
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News Market Reaction – JACK
In the Jun 23 session, JACK gained 1.49%, reflecting a mild positive market reaction.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
- New carnitas items
- 5 new menu items
- Summer 2026 Del Taco carnitas lineup
- Funnel Cake Fries price
- $2.50
- Limited-time seasonal dessert at Del Taco
- Weekly guests
- more than three million guests
- Del Taco guest traffic each week
- Restaurant count
- nearly 600 restaurants
- Del Taco footprint across the U.S.
- States served
- 17 states
- Geographic reach of Del Taco locations
- Founding year
- 1964
- Year Del Taco was founded
- National ranking
- second-largest Mexican quick service restaurant
- Del Taco position by unit count
- America’s birthday
- 250th birthday
- Theme for Independence Poppers beverage lineup
Historical Context
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Second drop of 75th anniversary streetwear collaboration with The Hundreds launched.
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Priced $500M fixed-rate senior secured notes to refinance existing securitized debt.
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Detailed 2026 debt reduction and planned refinancing to optimize capital structure.
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Nationwide launch of Del Taco value menu with 10+ items starting at $1.
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Limited-time Hot Ones Munchie Meal and summer promotions tied to 75th anniversary.
24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.
Key Terms
quick service restaurant financial
popping boba technical
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
LAKE FOREST, Calif., June 22, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Del Taco, the nation’s second-largest Mexican quick service restaurant*, has brought back slow-cooked Pork Carnitas, one of its most requested proteins, and expanded the lineup with more ways than ever to enjoy it. Available now for a limited time, carnitas return as the centerpiece of a summer lineup that also features the return of festive Independence Poppers beverages and fan-favorite dessert, Funnel Cake Fries.
“Our carnitas have consistently been one of our most anticipated offerings, and this year we're building on that excitement with new menu creations that showcase the versatility of this fan-favorite protein,” said Noah Chillingworth, Chief Marketing Officer at Del Taco. “From our first-ever Carnitas Big Fat Taco to new breakfast options and loaded menu builds, we're continuing to innovate around a guest favorite while bringing back the seasonal treats and nostalgic flavors that have become synonymous with summer at Del Taco.”
Del Taco's slow-cooked carnitas are braised for hours with authentic Mexican spices, topped with fresh ingredients and savory sauces, and loaded into eight menu items, including the popular Carnitas Street Taco, Loaded Fries and Carnitas Combo Burrito, and this year's lineup introduces five new menu items that bring the bold, craveable flavor for which Del Taco is known.
The complete summer carnitas lineup features:
- Carnitas Street Taco
- Carnitas Combo Burrito
- Carnitas Loaded Fries
- NEW Carnitas Big Fat Taco
- NEW Carnitas Quesadilla
- NEW Carnitas Queso Loaded Nachos
- NEW Carnitas Breakfast Big Fat Taco
- NEW Carnitas Breakfast Burrito
To celebrate America's 250th birthday, Del Taco is bringing back Independence Poppers, a limited-time beverage collection featuring strawberry fruit-flavored popping boba pearls and blue raspberry syrup. The refreshing summer lineup is available in Minute Maid® Zero Sugar Lemonade, Sprite® or hand-blended into a creamy vanilla shake.
In addition, the seasonal favorite Funnel Cake Fries return to Del Taco for just
For more information and to find the nearest Del Taco location, visit www.deltaco.com.

Del Taco Launches Slow-Cooked Carnitas Lineup and Other Festive Summer Flavors
*By number of units.
About Del Taco
Voted Best Fast Food Restaurant in USA Today's 2025 10 Best Reader's Choice Awards, Del Taco offers a unique variety of Mexican and American favorites, such as burritos and fries, prepared fresh in every restaurant's working kitchen with the value and convenience of a drive-thru. Del Taco's menu items taste better because they are made with real, quality ingredients like freshly grilled chicken and carne asada steak, fresh house-made guacamole, fresh house-grated cheddar cheese, slow-cooked beans made from scratch, and signature creamy Queso Blanco.
Founded in 1964, Del Taco now serves more than three million guests each week at nearly 600 restaurants across 17 states. Del Taco’s commitment to providing guests with real food at a real value for their money originates from cooking, chopping, shredding and grilling menu items from scratch. For more information about the Del Taco brand, and to find your nearest location, visit deltaco.com.
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/95039d85-5a94-4b50-911f-7a5b02e4e06c

Media Contact Selena Lane Powerhouse+Co. selena@powerhouseandco.co
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