Kansas City Set to Welcome El Pollo Loco as Part of Exciting Expansion Plans

Kansas City Gets Fired Up for El Pollo Loco’s Arrival!

Kansas City, brace yourselves! The delicious taste of fire-grilled chicken might soon be sizzling through the streets as El Pollo Loco, the beloved California restaurant chain, has set its sights on this vibrant city for its expansion in 2025. Talk about a culinary treat coming your way!

A Nation’s Favorite

Earlier this year, El Pollo Loco was crowned the Best Restaurant for Quick, Healthy Food by readers of a popular publication. No surprise there! With its mouthwatering lineup of fire-grilled chicken served in burritos, tacos, bowls, and salads, it’s hard to resist. The chain currently boasts 482 locations across the country, with 168 company-owned and 314 franchise-owned spots as of September.

The Expansion Plan

But it’s not just Kansas City getting a taste of this exciting news. In a recent announcement made on October 29, El Pollo Loco revealed that it is eyeing a total of four “untapped markets” for growth: Kansas City, Seattle-Tacoma, Boise, Idaho, and El Paso, Texas. Each of these areas presents a fantastic opportunity for the restaurant to expand its flavors and serve more happy customers.

We’ve Been Here Before

Interestingly, this isn’t the first time El Pollo Loco has considered Kansas City as a spot on its map. Back in 2022, they signed a development agreement with a franchise partner, EPL Missouri LLC, targeting eight restaurants in the KC area and surrounding regions in Missouri and Kansas over the next decade. However, fans have since been left wondering about the actual locations and progress, as no updates have been shared. Meanwhile, EPL Missouri was nowhere to be found in a recent franchise disclosure document. Could this be a sign of some spicy news just waiting to break?

A Fresh Look Ahead

As the restaurant gears up for its expansion, it’s also rolling out a new prototype store design aimed at modernizing its look. This fresh design approach comes in the wake of hiring Tim Welsh as their new chief development officer. Welsh has a reputation for successfully building up chains like Crunch Fitness and Sweetgreen, so fingers crossed he brings his magic to El Pollo Loco.

Dollar Signs Galore

Curious about the costs? Opening a location can range anywhere between $780,000 and $2.6 million. That’s quite a spread, but with their strong brand following, it’s sure to be a worthwhile investment for any franchisee considering Kansas City.

It’s Not Just El Pollo Loco!

Kansas City is not just on El Pollo Loco’s radar. Other chains, including Taco Cabana, are also keen on this growing market. Based out of San Antonio, Taco Cabana is actively seeking franchisees to bring a whopping 10 locations to the Kansas City area. Just like El Pollo Loco, they are also pushing to keep franchise costs under $2 million by introducing their own new prototype store. It seems KC is the place to be for the fast-casual Mexican dining scene.

So, what does this all mean for Kansas City? With the promise of delicious, healthy options weaving their way into the city’s food landscape, locals can look forward to a flavorful future. The anticipation for El Pollo Loco’s entrance could ignite the appetites of Kansas City residents, creating a delightful buzz around town.

Keep your eyes peeled, Kansas City! The arrival of El Pollo Loco may just kick-off a delicious new era of quick and healthy dining options that everyone can enjoy.