Bob Boss, president of Boss Enterprises, which owns 19 of the flame-broiled franchises in the valley and on the coast, tells GlobeSt.com he has obtained the rights to open six Del Taco franchises between Woodburn and Corvallis. They will compete with the Taco Bell brand, the largest Mexican-style fast food chain in the nation.

Boss says he hopes to open the first location within 18 months, and will buy or rent the location depending on the situation. Boss says he is using real estate broker Bo Rushing to help scout out the best location for the first store. "The first thing is the right location," says Boss. "Whether we buy or lease really doesn't matter."

Founded in 1964, Laguna Hills, CA-based Del Taco has 250 company-owned stores and 135 franchise stores around the Western United States, typically 2,500 sf in size and open 24 hours. The privately held company markets itself as the second-largest Mexican-style restaurant chain in the United States. In addition to a menu similar to Taco Bell, it also offers a general menu that includes cheeseburgers, shakes, fries and grilled chicken.