El Pollo Loco Signs Franchise Agreement for Four Restaurants in West Denver

El Pollo Loco, Inc. (“El Pollo Loco” or “Company”) (Nasdaq: LOCO) inked a multi-unit franchise agreement with Pikes Pollo, Inc. to develop four restaurants on the city’s West side.

The franchise group, whose partners are already longtime successful operators of three El Pollo Loco restaurants in California, plan to open their first two West Denver locations in Arvada and Littleton. They’re eyeing Westminster and Lakewood for the other two.

“We are pleased to announce this development agreement with Pikes Pollo and grow the El Pollo Loco brand into Colorado," said Brian Carmichall, El Pollo Loco’s Chief Development Officer. “Pikes Pollo has a strong track record of running excellent restaurants and we are confident they are the right franchise group to align with as we move forward with our strategic growth and development plans."

The West Denver restaurants will feature a new El Pollo Loco prototype design geared to meet the demands of the company’s off-premise business. Included in the design will be a dining room that opens up to an expansive patio, as well as a drive-thru and designated curbside pick-up parking.

The prototype will also feature an enhanced digitized experience – including “Pollo To Go” cubbies for mobile to-go and delivery orders, digital menu boards and GPS-enabled curbside pick-up, all integrated with the company’s dynamic and versatile mobile app.

At El Pollo Loco restaurants, the chicken is always fresh, never frozen, marinated in a proprietary recipe of citrus, garlic and spice, fire-grilled over an open flame and hand-cut to order. The freshly grilled chicken serves as the base for an authentic selection of dishes, including individual and family chicken meals, tacos, burritos, bowls and salads. The brand is well-known for a range of flavorful menu items that customers feel better about eating because they are healthier than typical fast food and fit into a host of dietary regimes ranging from calorie counting to keto.

"The Denver area is an amazing community and an ideal fit for El Pollo Loco We look forward to bringing the excitement of El Pollo Loco to the area,” said Al Amiri, President of Pikes Pollo.