<P> From 1994 through 1998, Del Taco saw their company decrease and eventually increase in size . Though the company signed a deal to open 15 franchise stores in the Northeast with many more in the Southeast, the chain was nowhere near the goals publicized years earlier . In 1995, Del Taco (hurt by the closing of numerous unprofitable units) had only 300 stores, instead of growing to 500 stores . However, the chain began to prosper in 1997, when their total sales had reached an estimated $250 million . By December 1998, Del Taco had 325 stores in twelve states and hoped to be debt - free by 2002 . </P> <P> By 2000, Del Taco had 372 stores located in ten U.S. states . That year, an important deal was signed with the Compass Group PLC that enabled Del Taco stores to open on American military bases . The first to do business was the store at Patuxent River Naval Air Station in St. Mary's County, Maryland, in early 2001 . Other Del Tacos were planned for American bases in Puerto Rico and Naples, Italy . </P> <P> In early 2001, a group of former Del Taco employees, all of whom were black, brought a discrimination suit against the chain . The group claimed that while working at Del Taco in the Los Angeles area, they had suffered verbal abuse, had been passed over for promotions in favor of Hispanic workers, and were being fired and replaced by illegal immigrants . The case had not been settled . </P> <P> In an effort to improve its reputation, Del Taco launched a sports - sponsorship program with teams in eight U.S. states, including the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim and Arizona Coyotes hockey teams, basketball's Los Angeles Clippers and Utah Jazz, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas's football and basketball teams, and several minor league hockey and baseball teams . The deal placed the Del Taco logo on signs, drink cups, and special promotional items at the stadiums of the partner teams . It paid off as, in 2003, Del Taco announced that their restaurants had topped $1 million per store in average annual sales, which was remarkable considering that other American stores, notably McDonald's and Carl's Jr., featured a decrease in annual sales . </P>

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