FREE Franchise Guide!
Franchise 500 Rank
N/R Not ranked last year
See the Full List
Initial investment
$780K - $2.7M
Units as of 2024
505 Increase 4.6% over 3 years

Company Overview

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.

About El Pollo Loco

Industry Food
Related Categories Chicken, Mexican Food
Founded 1975
Parent Company El Pollo Loco Holdings Inc.
Leadership Tim Welsh, Chief Development Officer
Corporate Address 3535 Harbor Blvd., #100
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Social Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok

Business Overview

Franchising Since 1980 (44 years)
# of employees at HQ 150
Where seeking

This company is offering new franchises in the following US states: Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Iowa, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington

# of Units 505 (as of 2024)

Information for Franchisees

Here's what you need to know if you're interested in opening a El Pollo Loco franchise.

Financial Requirements & Ongoing Fees

Here's what you can expect to spend to start the business and what ongoing fees the franchisor charges throughout the life of the business.

Initial Franchise Fee Information Circle
$40,000
Initial Investment Information Circle
$779,750 - $2,655,500
Net Worth Requirement Information Circle
$1,000,000
Cash Requirement Information Circle
$300,000
Royalty Fee Information Circle
5%
Ad Royalty Fee Information Circle
5%
Term of Agreement Information Circle
20 years
Is franchise term renewable? Yes
Take Our Free Franchise Quiz!

Training & Support Offered

Franchisors offer initial training programs and a variety of ongoing support options to help franchisees run their businesses.

On-The-Job Training Varies
Classroom Training Varies
Ongoing Support
Purchasing Co-ops
Newsletter
Meetings & Conventions
Toll-Free Line
Grand Opening
Online Support
Security & Safety Procedures
Field Operations
Site Selection
Proprietary Software
Franchisee Intranet Platform
Marketing Support
Co-op Advertising
Ad Templates
National Media
Regional Advertising
Social Media
SEO
Website Development
Email Marketing
Loyalty Program/App

Operations

Additional details about running this franchise.

Is absentee ownership allowed? No
Can this franchise be run from home/mobile unit? Information Circle
No
Can this franchise be run part time? Information Circle
No
# of employees required to run 25
Are exclusive territories available? Information Circle
Yes
Take our quick quiz to find your ideal franchise

Additional Rankings

Curious to know where El Pollo Loco ranked on other franchise lists? Find out below.

Sign Up for Our Franchise Newsletter

Stay up to date on the latest news and trends affecting the franchise industry.

Related Franchises

Are you eager to see what else is out there? Browse franchises that are similar to El Pollo Loco.

Costa Vida

description
Mexican food

Pokeworks

description
Poke and Asian fusion bowls

Angry Crab Shack

description
Seafood boil restaurants

Related Franchise Content

Catch up on the latest franchise news, trends, and more.

Franchise

These Are the Top New and Emerging Franchises of 2024 — And You Can Start One for Less Than $5,000

We evaluated new and emerging brands based on the same rigorous criteria used in the Franchise 500 process, analyzing more than 150 data points.

Franchise

Discover the Low-Risk, High Reward of Owning this Property Restoration Franchise

PuroClean offers multiple revenue streams with services related to water, fire, smoke, mold and biohazard damage.

Franchise

McDonald's Announces the Return of the Snack Wrap in 2025 — Here's What to Expect From Its Comeback

The decision comes after years of persistent customer demand for the portable snack, which debuted nearly two decades ago.

Franchise

Ready to Own a Business? Check Out These 15 Franchises You Can Start For Under $25K

Looking for an inexpensive franchise to open? Explore the best franchises under $25k, according to the 2024 Franchise 500 Ranking.

Franchise

Why Opening a Second Location Requires a Fresh Strategy (Even If Your First Was a Hit)

Here are some key points to consider before adding another location to your burgeoning multi-unit brand.

See more franchise content
Disclaimer
The information on this page is not intended as an endorsement or recommendation of any particular franchise or business opportunity by Entrepreneur Media. Our listings and rankings are solely research tools you can use to compare opportunities. Entrepreneur stresses that you should always conduct your own independent investigation before investing in a franchise or business opportunity. That should include reviewing the company's legal documents, consulting with an attorney and an accountant, and talking to former and current franchisees/licensees/dealers.
Updated: December 12th, 2022