El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. (LOCO) is a leading quick-service restaurant chain that focuses on fire-grilling citrus-marinated chicken and other Mexican-inspired food items. The company has deep roots in the American restaurant industry, with its foundation dating back to 1980 in Los Angeles. Their menu is centred around their signature citrus-marinated, fire-grilled chicken, famous for its distinct flavor, which is enhanced by the traditional techniques of cooking over an open flame. Besides chicken, El Pollo Loco offers a range of other culinary treats like burritos, salads, soups, desserts, and drinks, always striving to deliver a unique and pleasant dining experience to its guests.
El Pollo Loco maintains two operating models — company-operated restaurants and franchised restaurants — catering to more than 480 locations principally located in the Southwestern US. The well-balanced strategies maintaining both company-operated and franchised restaurants have enabled El Pollo Loco to effectively expand its geographical reach while keeping operational risks in check.
The company places a high emphasis on culinary innovation, often introducing new dishes and variations on their menu. A good example is the Loco innovations like the Mexican Cobb Salad, Chicken Tamales and Stuffed Quesadillas, which have been introduced as seasonal/user-centric menus and have been endorsed positively by their customers.
El Pollo Loco is publicly traded on the NASDAQ Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol 'LOCO'. For the company’s investors, the globe's leading quick-service restaurant has been a credible investment, thanks to solid stability and growth over the years.
Sustainability is embedded in El Pollo Loco's operations through practices like recycling and biodiesel fuel programs. They are proud to be part of the first wave of companies that is switching to Natural Cutlery and Straws.
El Pollo Loco is not just a quick-service restaurant; it embodies a mission to deliver an authentic and rich dining experience. Affordability, continuity and novelty, high customer-oriented approach, and robust brand positioning have been driving forces behind its commendable success. The company has successfully been able to establish a unique identity in the American dining scenario and remains committed to serving communities through its flavourful and quality cuisine. For El Pollo Loco, the journey from being a small food trailer on the streets of Guasave, Sinaloa, Mexico to becoming an internationally recognized quick-service restaurant giant is a testament to its hard work, commitment and love for food. Its story is an inspiration to food businesses around the world.