print

El Pollo Loco

Quick-service restaurant specializing in flame-broiled chicken

In 1975, Juan Ochoa opened a roadside chicken stand in Guasace, Mexico, he called El Pollo Loco. Ochoa served chicken the same way his mother did, hand-marinating using an old family recipe and flame-broiling. The stand quickly grew in popularity, and over the next four years, Ochoa's family opened 85 restaurants in Northern Mexico. The chain moved into the United States in 1980 with the first restaurant opening in Los Angeles.

Over the years, El Pollo Loco has added tacos, burritos and salads to its menu, all featuring the Ochoa family's chicken. In 1995, the chain entered into a joint venture with Foster's Freeze to offer soft-serve treats at El Pollo Loco restaurants.

Please Note: The operators of El Pollo Loco, may not have verified the accuracy of the Franchise information contained within this website. For accurate up-to-date information, customers are strongly recommended to visit the official El Pollo Loco website.

Start-up Costs & Franchises Fees

How much does it cost to open a El Pollo Loco Franchises?

Total Investment: $504,980-$1,100,000
Initial Franchise Fee: $40,000
Royalty Fee: 4%
Advertising Fee:
Term of Agreement: 20 years

How to contact El Pollo Loco

El Pollo Loco News

Barbecue Chicken Is Back At El Pollo Loco
Calling all BBQ lovers! Just in time for summer, El Pollo Loco announced today the return of its popular Barbecue Chicken and greets the grilling season with the debut of a new BBQ Chicken Slider. For years, the nation's flame-grilled chicken leader has delighted fans with distinctive varia... more

El Pollo Loco, The Nation's Flamed-grilled Chicken Leader, Challenges Kfc To A Public Taste Test
In what promises to be the ultimate battle of the birds, award-winning flame-grilled chicken champion El Pollo Loco looks to retain its title by challenging fried chicken chain KFC to a public, side-by-side taste test that will settle the question of which restaurant delivers on the promise of real ... more

El Pollo Loco Debuts Chicken Carnitas
From Jan. 29 through the middle of May, El Pollo Loco will offer Chicken Carnitas, prepared using traditional methods with citrus and spices, starting at $1.79. Guests can order the chicken carnitas as a taco, bowl or burrito and can personalize their entrees with any combination of salsas from El ... more

El Pollo Loco Expands Executive Team With New Innovation Post
El Pollo Loco, Inc. announced today that it has created a new executive management position, "Senior Vice President of Strategy and Innovation," to leverage innovation throughout the organization in the development of new products, processes and technology, as well as align resources around ... more

El Pollo Loco Passes The Buck Back To Consumers With Hot-off-the-grill Competitor Coupon Program
After watching Wall Street fat cats pocket huge bonuses of taxpayer money, El Pollo Loco has decided now is the time to pass the buck back to the American people" and in some cases three bucks. Hot off the grill, the nation's leading flame-grilled chicken chain will gladly accept competitor... more

View all El Pollo Loco Press Releases

Franchise History

When did the first El Pollo Loco open? 1975
When did El Pollo Loco start Franchising? 1980

Year	U.S.A.	Canada	International	Corporate
2003	174	0	0	135
2002	170	0	0	135
2001	152	0	4	127
2000	149	0	4	122
1999	155	0	4	112

Expansion Plans

United States: Arizona, California, Nevada, Texas,

Financing Options

Expense	In-House	Third Party
Franchise Fee	No	No
Startup Costs	No	No
Equipment	No	No
Inventory	No	No
Accounts Receivable	No	No
Payroll	No	No

Training & Support

Support
Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations

Marketing
Ad slicks, Regional advertising

Business Operations

Franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses; 40% of all franchisees own more than one unit

Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 25

Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

Qualifications & Business Experience

Business Experience:

Industry experience

General business experience

Marketing skills

Food-service franchise background

Related Franchise Categories

• Chicken/Wings Franchise Opportunities
• Franchises $500K to $1 Million

Listing Tags

This Franchise Opportunity has been viewed 8820 times.

Read El Pollo Loco Reviews

Legal Disclaimer: This information is not a franchise offering for El Pollo Loco and should not be construed as such. TheFranchiseMall.com makes every effort to maintain accurate franchise data but does not guarantee nor assume liability for incorrect data. We recommend that anyone seriously interested in pursuing an El Pollo Loco franchise opportunity, review that franchise's Uniform Franchise Offering Circular (UFOC) with an attorney and accountant.