El Pollo Loco
We operate quick-service restaurants that serve fire-grilled chicken and related Mexican-style menu items, along with sides, drinks, and other complementary products. Our restaurants are designed for customers looking for convenient, fast-service meals with a focus on fire-grilled food. We run each location using a standardized operating system that includes our recipes, ingredients, equipment, restaurant layouts, training, inventory controls, and service procedures. Our business is a restaurant model centered on prepared food sales for dine-in, takeout, and other quick-service needs.
Your franchise match score
Fast Food
Brand highlights
- CEOElizabeth Williams
- Headquarters3535 Harbor Blvd., Costa Mesa, CA, 92626
- Year founded1989
- Year started franchising1980
- IndustryFast Food
- Locations open498 (+18 last three years)
Statistics & metrics
- Investment range$793,750 - $2,685,500
- Franchise fee$40,000
- Royalty5% of monthly Net Sales for all products sold at the Restaurant.
- Brand fund5% of monthly Net Sales (or 4% of monthly Net Sales for Los Angeles (“LA”) DMA, as defined by Nielsen Media Research, Inc. per the US Cities by Designated Market Areas Report).
- Required Liquid CapitalN/A
- Required Net WorthN/A
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FDD insights
The information shown below is derived from publicly available franchise disclosure documents (FDDs), including the version issued as of the issuance date listed below, and other third-party sources. This information may not reflect the most current FDD. It is provided for general informational purposes only and is not part of any franchise offering or sales process. Franchise Sidekick is not providing or furnishing an FDD in accordance with FTC requirements. You should obtain and review the most current official FDD directly from the franchisor before making any investment decision.
FDD Version Referenced - Issuance Date: 2025-04-01
| Category | Detail | View |
|---|---|---|
| The Franchisor & Executives | Learn about El Pollo Loco, its parent company, and the executive leadership team responsible for operating and supporting the franchise system. | |
| Initial Franchise Fee | Learn about the initial franchise fee required to join the El Pollo Loco franchise system and what that fee covers. | |
| Other Fees | Understand the ongoing and additional fees associated with owning a El Pollo Loco franchise, including royalties, marketing contributions, and other required payments. | |
| Estimated Initial Investment | Review the estimated total initial investment required to open a El Pollo Loco franchise, including startup costs and working capital estimates. | |
| Territory | Understand how franchise territories are defined, whether they are exclusive, and under what circumstances they may be modified by El Pollo Loco. | |
| Financial Performance Representations | Review any financial performance information El Pollo Loco provides, including revenue or earnings data, if disclosed. |
Location data
| Total locations | 498 |
| Franchise locations | 325 |
| Corporate locations | 173 |
System growth over time
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