Laura Tanaka, Director of Franchise Development for Del Taco
Laura Tanaka is the Director of Franchise Development for Del Taco, the second largest Mexican QSR brand in the US. Laura has been with Del Taco since November 2011 and is responsible for growing the brand through franchise recruitment for the entire US. Her background includes 20+ years of successful franchise sales, development, operations, management, and real estate experience with some of the “top 100 companies” in the QSR and casual dining categories such as IHOP Restaurants, Popeye’s Chicken, Mrs. Fields Famous Brands and Steak n Shake. In addition, Ms. Tanaka was a multi-unit franchisee owner/operator of Papa Murphy’s Take-N-Bake Pizza in the San Francisco area for four years. Laura also has extensive experience in non-traditional development in airports, colleges & universities and military bases. She graduated with an MBA from Pepperdine University and is a member of ICSC and IFA (International Franchise Association). She lives in Huntington Beach, CA with her husband.