RISE - Menu Monitor

El Pollo Loco
Headquarters
3535 Harbor Blvd., Mesa, California 92629 USA
Tel: (714)599-5000 Fax:
www.elpolloloco.com
Ownership: Private
Segment: Limited Service Chicken
System Characteristics 2006 2005 2004
U.S. Systemwide Sales ($000) 530,000 478,121 428,247
Company-owned ($000) 230,000 221,794 204,820
Franchised ($000) 300,000 256,327 223,427
U.S. Number of Units 358 333 322
Company-owned 151 142 137
Franchised 207 191 185
International Sales ($000) - - -
International Units - - -
Average Sales/Unit ($000) 1,550 1,600 1,500
Concept Positioning |
El Pollo Loco, Spanish for “The Crazy Chicken,” is a quick-service concept specializing in flame-grilled chicken and offering a
wide assortment of signature sides, fresh Mexican entrées, tortillas and fresh salads. Units are open 14 hours daily, with
customer traffic evenly distributed between lunch and dinner. Irvine, CA-based El Pollo Loco operates more than 360
restaurants in California, Arizona, Nevada, Texas, Colorado, Illinois and Connecticut.
The typical unit is 2,500 sq. ft. with seating for 60 guests and a drive-thru window. Wood tabletops, wall murals and
handcrafted tiles create a relaxed atmosphere while rich colors of purple, fuchsia and yellow add to the contemporary décor.
Chicken is grilled over open flames in an exhibition-style area that is in full view of customers. Units also have a salsa bar that
offers a variety of fresh salsas and condiments.
Francisco “Pancho” Ochoa founded El Pollo Loco in 1975 as a roadside grill in Guasave, a small town on Mexico’s Pacific
Coast. The first U.S. restaurant opened in Los Angeles in 1980. In 1987, Advantica Restaurant Group acquired Denny’s and
its operations, including El Pollo Loco. In late 1999, acquisition by American Securities Capital Partners, L.P. took El Pollo
Loco private in a deal worth $128 million. American Securities Capital Partners, L.P agreed to sell El Pollo Loco to Trimaran
Capital Partners, a private asset management firm, for $415 million. The deal was completed in fall 2005. Expansion plans call
for an additional 130 franchised locations by 2009, including new units in the Chicago and Denver markets.
©Technomic Information Services 2007, CIS profiles may not be copied or distributed in any print or electronic format without a license or written consent.
Technomic believes that its sources of information are reliable, but does not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy of the information
published.
252