Latest news with #ElPolloLoco
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Explore how 6 restaurant chains are expanding Boise's dining landscape
Stories by Idaho Statesman journalists, with AI summarization Boise's dining scene is evolving as well-known restaurant chains expand into the area. Capriotti's Sandwich Shop has debuted in Star, introducing locals to its award-winning turkey sub, The Bobbie, and plans more locations. El Pollo Loco is set to open restaurants in Meridian and Nampa, aiming to appeal especially to California transplants craving their citrus-marinated, fire-grilled chicken. Pizza fans can look forward to Slice House by Tony Gemignani, which promises chef-driven, top-tier pies in Meridian. Meanwhile, chains like Raising Cane's and Habit Burger Grill are making moves, while others, such as Big Chicken, remain delayed. Capriotti's new Star location will offer a taste of Thanksgiving year-round with its signature sandwich, The Bobbie. | Published March 20, 2025 | Read Full Story by Ashley Fredde The hot brand opened 118 new restaurants last year. | Published April 23, 2025 | Read Full Story by Michael Deeds It also won best fast-food side in the same USA Today readers' poll. | Published February 5, 2025 | Read Full Story by Michael Deeds Boise's transformation into California restaurant-chain paradise shows no sign of slowing. | Published May 30, 2025 | Read Full Story by Michael Deeds With In-N-Out now in Idaho, anything feels possible. (There's a poll with this column.) | Published April 24, 2025 | Read Full Story by Michael Deeds There were 'BIG things on the horizon' for Idaho. But no restaurants have materialized. What's up? | Published May 8, 2025 | Read Full Story by Michael Deeds The brand from 13-time world pizza champion Tony Gemignani is seeing 'rapid growth.' | Published April 15, 2025 | Read Full Story by Michael Deeds The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
In ‘great news' for Californians, chain plans two restaurants in Boise area
Boise's transformation into California restaurant-chain paradise shows no sign of slowing. With In-N-Out Burger fully entrenched in the area, and Wienerschnitzel having arrived, another Golden State brand is on the way. El Pollo Loco, which recently submitted a pre-application request with the city of Meridian to open a 2,000-square-foot restaurant at 3471 W. Chinden Blvd. (near the intersection with Ten Mile Road), now has plans for Nampa, too. The Mexican-style brand has leased 'over half an acre of land at Northside Boulevard and Nampa-Caldwell Boulevard,' according to a press release from Summit Commercial Real Estate Group. The address is 95 2nd St. South. Known for its 'famous citrus-marinated, fire-grilled chicken,' El Pollo Loco's Idaho moves are exciting transplants from California. When a Boise radio station posted about the Nampa lease on Facebook, enthusiastic online responses followed. In a comment that received 27 reactions, one person declared, 'I'm from California and this is great news!' 'Don't toy with me!!!' another commenter wrote. 'Their avocado salsa is insane!!! So good!!!' A 'SoCal staple,' as the chain refers to itself, El Pollo Loco was founded in 1974 — in Mexico. It now has more than 495 locations in seven states: California, Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, Texas, Utah and Louisiana, according to a press release. If you've eaten at Fiesta Chicken — a similar local concept in Boise — you already have a grasp of El Pollo Loco's bird-focused menu. The chain serves delicious, if not addictive, chicken — in tacos, burritos, tostadas, salads, bowls and meals. A real-estate listing indicates the Nampa restaurant is 'opening soon,' but a publicist for El Pollo Loco did not immediately respond with information about a target date. In April, Tim Welsh, El Pollo Loco's chief development officer, provided a prepared statement about the Meridian store. 'We've been working with a franchise partner to bring El Pollo Loco's signature, fire-grilled chicken to the Boise area,' he said. 'We're excited to have identified a location and are optimistic we will have our entitlements approved in the coming months. While we don't yet have an opening date for this restaurant, we look forward to being part of the Meridian community in the near future.'
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Why El Pollo Loco's rebrand invites diners to ‘Get Loco'
This story was originally published on Marketing Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Marketing Dive newsletter. El Pollo Loco this month launched a rebrand and accompanying campaign as the fast-casual grilled chicken chain continues its ongoing three-year strategy around strengthening its identity, keeping pace with culture and increasing awareness. But even as the company faces a challenging consumer environment, CMO Jill Adams said that its efforts are a brand turnaround — not a business one. 'Our business is incredibly healthy,' the executive said. "We've been in business for 50 years. How do we think about the next 50 years and the legacy we want El Pollo Loco to leave as we go into that journey?' To help build that legacy, El Pollo Loco evaluated its brand and found an opportunity to communicate more authentically about the brand's value proposition as it looks to engage consumers and find new ones while growing its footprint. Core to the brand refresh, which launched on May 15, is a new tagline, 'Let's Get Loco,' a double entendre that serves as both a call to action ('What should we have for dinner? Let's get Loco') and a play on the Spanish word for crazy. In this case, the chain wants to engage with consumers around the passions for which they 'go loco' — a message it shared in a brand manifesto video. 'It's a new tagline, but it's so much more than a tagline. It's really about celebrating the passion of others,' Adams said. 'We wanted to ensure this campaign could work very hard in terms of driving awareness and consideration, but then as people get to know the brand, there's a deeper meaning to it.' Along with the new tagline, the refresh includes updated consumer touchpoints across digital and in-store that feature new color schemes, fonts and layouts that Adams described as 'more evolution, not revolution.' New creative agency of record Innocean USA worked on the refresh and accompanying campaign. 'Our hope is to grow the business and build the brand fandom they deserve with smart, strategic work. That means offer-driven ads that stand apart and establish a unique brand voice, complemented by bold, word-of-mouth moments that get talked about and drive engagement across all platforms,' said Jason Sperling, the agency's chief creative officer, in emailed comments. On the heels of the revamp, El Pollo Loco will run two food-focused ads across TV, digital and social with paid media support. A buoyant 15-second spot pitches the chain's new salads and wraps as juicy, creamy, tangy and 'greeny,' while a separate ad takes on 'counterfeit chicken.' Beyond marketing, El Pollo Loco unveiled a new remodel and prototype for its physical locations, and has been working for the last two years on an enhanced loyalty program for its digital properties. 'This [rebrand] will feel like this natural progression of who we've always been, because of those building blocks we've laid across other pieces of the business,' Adams said. El Pollo Loco's brand refresh and growth plans come at a time of continued economic uncertainty and consumer hesitance. The chain, and its competitors in the fast-casual sector and beyond, have also faced labor and supply chain issues. During such periods, El Pollo Loco will look to meet consumers as they seek dependable, reliable comfort without sacrificing quality. 'When there is ever economic uncertainty, we still want to have those moments of affordable luxury, or a moment of escape, maybe from the everyday grind,' Adams said. 'That's the role that restaurants play, so we're really positioned so well.' Recommended Reading Why California Pizza Kitchen faked a midlife crisis with a rebrand stunt
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
LOCO Q1 Earnings Call: Menu Innovation and Brand Relaunch Aim to Counter Flat Sales
Fast food chain El Pollo Loco (NASDAQ:LOCO) reported Q1 CY2025 results beating Wall Street's revenue expectations , with sales up 2.6% year on year to $119.2 million. Its non-GAAP profit of $0.19 per share was in line with analysts' consensus estimates. Is now the time to buy LOCO? Find out in our full research report (it's free). Revenue: $119.2 million vs analyst estimates of $118.5 million (2.6% year-on-year growth, 0.6% beat) Adjusted EPS: $0.19 vs analyst estimates of $0.19 (in line) Adjusted EBITDA: $13.93 million vs analyst estimates of $13.71 million (11.7% margin, 1.6% beat) Operating Margin: 7.5%, in line with the same quarter last year Free Cash Flow Margin: 1.1%, down from 6% in the same quarter last year Locations: 499 at quarter end, up from 495 in the same quarter last year Same-Store Sales were flat year on year (5.1% in the same quarter last year) Market Capitalization: $284.9 million El Pollo Loco's first quarter was shaped by a challenging consumer environment, with management citing continued pressure on consumers across all demographics, including the Hispanic segment. CEO Liz Williams acknowledged that the brand turnaround remains a work in progress, highlighting recent menu innovation—like the Mango Habanero chicken—and operational investments such as new kitchen equipment and customer feedback systems. Williams emphasized that while initial results were modest, these efforts are laying the groundwork for improved performance in the coming quarters. Looking ahead, management is focused on a brand relaunch and the introduction of new menu items, including fresco wraps, salads, and quesadillas, as key strategies to drive guest traffic and improve value perception. Williams noted, 'Our brand relaunch couldn't come at a better time,' while CFO Ira Fils projected moderate labor and commodity cost inflation for the rest of the year, supported by ongoing productivity initiatives and supply chain optimizations. The company is targeting a sequential acceleration in same-store sales later in the year, driven by these initiatives. El Pollo Loco's leadership identified menu innovation, operational improvements, and development momentum as central to the first quarter's performance and near-term strategy. Management cited both internal and external headwinds that contributed to flat same-store sales and pressured margins, but expressed conviction in the underlying brand transformation and upcoming product launches. Menu innovation impact: The launch of Mango Habanero chicken attracted new guests and demonstrated consumer appetite for new flavors. Management believes ongoing menu updates, like the upcoming fresco wraps and quesadillas, will further drive trial and value perception. Brand relaunch strategy: The company is undertaking a comprehensive brand relaunch this quarter, including a new aesthetic and marketing campaign aimed at modernizing the brand and reinforcing its focus on quality and affordability. Operational efficiency initiatives: Investments in kitchen equipment and rollout of holding cabinets have improved productivity in company-owned restaurants. New technology, such as kiosks, is being used to streamline ordering and could eventually enhance guest engagement. Customer feedback integration: The implementation of a new customer feedback system has highlighted opportunities in service consistency, particularly order accuracy and hospitality. Management is addressing these issues through back-to-basics training and new standards programs. Development pipeline growth: The company opened two new restaurants in Q1 and expects at least 10 openings in 2025, with the majority outside California. Early signs suggest the pipeline is strengthening for accelerated growth in 2026, with the next opening marking the chain's 500th location. Management's outlook for the remainder of the year centers on driving traffic with menu innovation, operational improvements, and a brand relaunch, while navigating ongoing consumer and cost pressures. Menu innovation and value focus: Upcoming launches of fresco wraps, salads, and quesadillas are expected to address consumer demand for affordable, portable options, targeting both core and younger audiences. Operational productivity gains: Continued rollout of kitchen equipment, labor deployment improvements, and supply chain optimization (Project FIRE) are projected to help offset wage and commodity inflation, supporting margin stability. Remodels and new builds: Modernization of existing restaurants and the introduction of a lower-cost prototype ('Iconic') are intended to improve unit economics and accelerate development, particularly in emerging markets outside California. Management noted these initiatives are expected to boost both sales performance and cash returns. Jeremy Hamblin (Craig-Hallum Capital Group): Asked about expectations for Q2 same-store sales and the timeline for impact from new menu items; management indicated continued headwinds in Q2 but expects sequential improvement later in the year as new products launch. Jake Bartlett (Truist Securities): Inquired about regional and demographic performance, specifically pressures on the Hispanic customer; CEO Liz Williams confirmed broad consumer pullback and added that the Hispanic segment is experiencing additional strain. Jake Bartlett (Truist Securities): Requested clarity on menu pricing trends and cost of goods; CFO Ira Fils stated menu price increases will moderate to around 3% for the year, with further efficiencies expected from supply chain projects. Andy Barish (Jefferies): Probed into operational execution and the impact of weather and product cycles on March sales; management cited unusually rainy weather in Southern California and acknowledged that repeat visits for Mango Habanero could have been stronger. Andy Barish (Jefferies): Sought an update on kiosk rollout and its effect on productivity; management said kiosks are in most company restaurants and are being optimized for better guest engagement and merchandising. In future quarters, the StockStory team will be watching (1) the performance of new menu items like fresco wraps and quesadillas and their impact on guest traffic, (2) the effectiveness of the brand relaunch in shifting consumer perception and driving sales, and (3) the pace of new restaurant openings, particularly outside California. Additionally, operational execution—especially improvements in service consistency and margin recovery—will be key factors to monitor. El Pollo Loco currently trades at a forward EV-to-EBITDA ratio of 4.4×. Should you load up, cash out, or stay put? The answer lies in our free research report. The market surged in 2024 and reached record highs after Donald Trump's presidential victory in November, but questions about new economic policies are adding much uncertainty for 2025. While the crowd speculates what might happen next, we're homing in on the companies that can succeed regardless of the political or macroeconomic environment. Put yourself in the driver's seat and build a durable portfolio by checking out our Top 9 Market-Beating Stocks. This is a curated list of our High Quality stocks that have generated a market-beating return of 176% over the last five years. Stocks that made our list in 2020 include now familiar names such as Nvidia (+1,545% between March 2020 and March 2025) as well as under-the-radar businesses like the once-small-cap company Comfort Systems (+782% five-year return). Find your next big winner with StockStory today. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Business Upturn
15-05-2025
- Business
- Business Upturn
El Pollo Loco Introduces New Fresca Salads and Wraps
By GlobeNewswire Published on May 15, 2025, 18:01 IST Portable, craveable items give consumers a whole new reason to say 'Let's Get Loco™ ' COSTA MESA, Calif., May 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — El Pollo Loco , the nation's leading fire-grilled chicken restaurant, is asking customers: Do you want your made-to-order salad wrapped or unwrapped? The brand is proud to unveil two limited time options for guests looking to experience flavorful meals made from quality ingredients made to be enjoyed on-the-go with its new Fresca Salads and Wraps. The Fresca Salads and Wraps feature two distinct (and uniquely craveable) flavor profiles, available as a freshly made traditional salad in a bowl or wrapped in a whole wheat tortilla for a convenient, on-the-go meal: CITRUS AVOCADO FRESCA SALAD : Super greens blend with spinach and crisp lettuce topped with a double portion of our citrus-marinated, fire-grilled chopped chicken breast, hand-sliced avocados, crumbled cotija cheese, shredded red cabbage and carrots, and freshly prepared salsa fresca. Served with a new signature citrus vinaigrette made with a squeeze of lime, lemon, and orange. : Super greens blend with spinach and crisp lettuce topped with a double portion of our citrus-marinated, fire-grilled chopped chicken breast, hand-sliced avocados, crumbled cotija cheese, shredded red cabbage and carrots, and freshly prepared salsa fresca. Served with a new signature citrus vinaigrette made with a squeeze of lime, lemon, and orange. MEXICAN COBB FRESCA SALAD : Super greens blend with spinach and crisp lettuce topped with a double portion of our citrus-marinated, fire-grilled chopped chicken breast, hand-sliced avocados, bacon, roasted corn and red peppers, and crumbled cotija cheese. Served with creamy cilantro dressing. : Super greens blend with spinach and crisp lettuce topped with a double portion of our citrus-marinated, fire-grilled chopped chicken breast, hand-sliced avocados, bacon, roasted corn and red peppers, and crumbled cotija cheese. Served with creamy cilantro dressing. CITRUS AVOCADO FRESCA WRAP : A whole wheat tortilla filled with a generous portion of citrus-marinated, fire-grilled chopped chicken breast, crisp super greens blend with spinach, shredded red cabbage and carrots, crumbled cotija cheese, hand-sliced avocados, freshly-prepared salsa fresca and new signature citrus vinaigrette made with a squeeze of lime, lemon, and orange, all wrapped up for on-the-go convenience. : A whole wheat tortilla filled with a generous portion of citrus-marinated, fire-grilled chopped chicken breast, crisp super greens blend with spinach, shredded red cabbage and carrots, crumbled cotija cheese, hand-sliced avocados, freshly-prepared salsa fresca and new signature citrus vinaigrette made with a squeeze of lime, lemon, and orange, all wrapped up for on-the-go convenience. MEXICAN COBB FRESCA WRAP: A whole wheat tortilla filled with a generous portion of our citrus-marinated, fire-grilled chopped chicken breast, crisp super greens blend with spinach, bacon, roasted corn and red peppers, crumbled cotija cheese, hand-sliced avocados and creamy cilantro dressing, all wrapped up for on-the-go convenience. 'Fresca Salads and Wraps highlight the true versatility of our delicious fire-grilled chicken,' said Jill Adams, El Pollo Loco CMO. 'Whether you want to eat your salad in a bowl or as a wrap, our Fresca products deliver on quality and portability – not to mention lots of craveability with our iconic Creamy Cilantro or our new Citrus Vinaigrette dressings.' Prices for a la carte Fresca Salads and Wraps range from $9.00 – $12.00. Price and participation may vary by location. The Citrus Vinaigrette dressing will be a new permanent item, remaining on the menu beyond the limited time offering of the Fresca Salads and Wraps. These new items not only showcase menu and flavor innovation but will also be the first products featured in an ad spot reflecting the recent brand refresh. The :15 ad spot includes close-up shots of the Fresca Salads and Wraps with bright colors and bold angles giving the brand a more modern and energetic tone than has been reflected in previous ad campaigns. For more information or to find the nearest restaurant location, visit . To stay updated on the latest deals and offerings, download the Loco Rewards app and follow @elpolloloco on social media. About El Pollo Loco El Pollo Loco (Nasdaq: LOCO) is the nation's leading fire-grilled chicken restaurant known for its craveable, flavorful, and better-for-you offerings. Recently voted as the #1 'Best Restaurant for Quick, Healthy Food' in USA TODAY's 10 Best Readers' Choice Awards , our menu features innovative meals with Mexican flavors made daily in our restaurants using quality ingredients. At El Pollo Loco , inclusivity is at the heart of our culture. Our community of over 4,000 employees reflects our commitment to creating a workplace where everyone has a seat at our table. Since 1980, El Pollo Loco has successfully expanded its presence, operating more than 495 company-owned and franchised restaurants across seven U.S. states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, Texas, Utah, and Louisiana. The company has also extended its footprint internationally, with licensed restaurant locations in the Philippines. For more information or to place an order , visit the Loco Rewards app or . Follow us on Instagram , TikTok , Facebook , or X . CONTACT: DeVries Global [email protected] A photo accompanying this announcement is available at Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with GlobeNewswire. Business Upturn takes no editorial responsibility for the same. GlobeNewswire provides press release distribution services globally, with substantial operations in North America and Europe.
