El Pollo Loco Plans First New York City Restaurant

El Pollo Loco announced plans to open its first New York City restaurant in Queens in mid-2027. The California-based chain signed three development agreements to open 15 restaurants in the New York area over the next five years, marking a significant step in its strategy to become a national brand.

Under the leadership of CEO Liz Williams, the company has expanded its footprint from six states in March 2024 to 10 states currently. The chain projects opening 10 to 18 new locations by the end of 2026. This growth follows a turnaround effort that modernized stores and diversified the menu with chicken tenders and wraps, leading to three consecutive quarters of same-store sales growth.

To manage this expansion, the company appointed Damon Thomas as chief operating officer and Tara Hinkle as chief development officer.