El Pollo Loco Announces New York Expansion and Strengthens Leadership Team to Accelerate Growth
Key Highlights
- ➤15 New York-area restaurants planned under three development agreements over five years
- ➤First New York lease signed; Queens restaurant targeted to open mid-2027
- ➤Damon Thomas appointed Chief Operating Officer at El Pollo Loco (LOCO)
- ➤Tara Hinkle appointed Chief Development Officer at El Pollo Loco (LOCO)
- ➤Three consecutive quarters of positive same-store sales growth reported
Expert Statements
Liz Williams, Chief Executive Officer of El Pollo Loco
“New York represents an important milestone for El Pollo Loco and a clear proof point in our disciplined growth strategy,”
Liz Williams, Chief Executive Officer of El Pollo Loco
“We have strengthened our brand and operations, enhanced our business model, and assembled an experienced leadership team to support sustainable expansion.”
Liz Williams, Chief Executive Officer of El Pollo Loco
“With committed franchise partners and our first New York lease secured, we are excited to introduce the East Coast to the fire-grilled flavor and hospitality that have defined El Pollo Loco for five decades.”
Damon Thomas, Chief Operating Officer of El Pollo Loco
“El Pollo Loco has a distinctive brand, a strong operating foundation and significant room to grow,”
Damon Thomas, Chief Operating Officer of El Pollo Loco
“I look forward to partnering with our company and franchise teams to drive operational excellence, strengthen the guest experience and build the systems that will support the brand as it enters New York and expands into other new markets.”
Tara Hinkle, Chief Development Officer of El Pollo Loco
“Entering New York is a meaningful step in building a thoughtful, scalable development pipeline for El Pollo Loco,”
Tara Hinkle, Chief Development Officer of El Pollo Loco
“We are working with experienced franchise partners who believe in the brand, known for delicious fire-grilled chicken and fresh, high-quality ingredients, and understand the opportunity in this market.”
Tara Hinkle, Chief Development Officer of El Pollo Loco
“We are focused on choosing the right sites, selecting and supporting strong operators, and growing in a way that creates lasting value for our guests, franchisees and shareholders.”
Brand signs first lease in New York (Queens) Enters into three development agreements for 15 area restaurants over the next five years
COSTA MESA, Calif., Sept. 29, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- El Pollo Loco, the nation’s leading fire-grilled chicken restaurant chain, today announced its planned entry into New York, including a signed lease for its first restaurant in the region, targeted to open in Queens in mid-2027. The company has agreed to terms for three development agreements for 15 area restaurants over the next five years, and also announced two leadership appointments that strengthen the team supporting El Pollo Loco’s next phase of growth.
Get started
Create a free account to read the full story.