El Pollo Loco Spreads it Wings in Wood Village, Marking the Brand's Entry into Oregon

By: El Pollo Loco | 7 Shares 792 Reads

Established Multi-Unit, Multi-Concept Franchise Developer Brings Flame-Grilled Chicken Leader to the State

July 17, 2008 // Franchising.com // COSTA MESA, CA – Oregon has a brand new flame, and Wood Village is the first town to "ignite" it! Following much anticipation around the arrival of El Pollo Loco in Oregon, the flame-grilled chicken leader will open the doors to the state's very first El Pollo Loco on Monday, July 14, 2008 at 9:00 a.m. in Wood Village. El Pollo Loco, a leading franchise of more than 400 fast casual restaurants, is famous on the West Coast for its signature citrus-marinated, flame-grilled chicken served with warm tortillas, assortment of delicious sides and fresh salsas, along with a wide variety of fresh, contemporary Mexican-influenced entrees.

The new Wood Village restaurant is located at 22583 NE Gilisan Avenue (near 223 Avenue). It is approximately 3,200 square feet and offers bright, comfortable seating for 80 guests. The restaurant employs about 65 new hires from the local community and is open seven days a week, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 midnight on Friday and Saturday. The restaurant offers drive-thru service, in addition to dine-in and take-out service. Catering for special events and celebrations is also available.

Oregon's first El Pollo Loco features the Company's new building design. The impressive exterior evokes contemporary Mexican design with multiple textures, geometric shapes, natural wood and Aztec design elements. The dramatic interior highlights El Pollo Loco's fresh, citrus-marinated chicken as it cooks on the grill and features an open dining area with flexible seating that encourages customers to relax and enjoy the unique El Pollo Loco dining experience. A focal point of the new dining room is a circular, self serve salsa bar approachable from all directions so guests can easily customize their menu selections with any combination of El Pollo
Loco's signature salsas. All are prepared fresh every day.

Through a multi-unit agreement with El Pollo Loco, OR Pacific Pollo, LP plans to open 35 El Pollo Loco restaurants in Oregon, Washington and Northern California. The developer's first El
Pollo Loco opened in Pittsburg, California in December of 2007 and the second location opened in Vancouver, Washington in May of 2008. In addition to the Wood Village, OR location, OR Pacific Pollo, LP plans to open two more restaurants this year, one in Brentwood, CA and another in Beaverton, OR, with more to follow in the years to come.

To welcome the Wood Village community, a special ribbon cutting event will be held with the West Columbia Gorge Chamber of Commerce, city officials and local dignitaries at the restaurant on opening day (Monday, July 14th) at 10:30 a.m.

"We are honored and excited to bring Oregon its very first El Pollo Loco," said Rick LeSage, Chief Operations Officer of West Pollo Partners, LP. "Oregonians who have experienced El Pollo Loco are thrilled to finally be able to enjoy the mouthwatering taste of our citrus-marinated, flame-grilled chicken here locally. And for those who have never tried El Pollo Loco, it will be love at first bite."

Founded in Guasave, Mexico in 1975, El Pollo Loco, pronounced "L Po-yo Lo-co" and Spanish for "The Crazy Chicken," opened its first U.S. restaurant in 1980 and is famous for the unique preparation of its award-winning "pollo"-- fresh chicken marinated in a special recipe of herbs, spices and citrus juices passed down from the founding family. The marinated chicken is then flame-grilled, hand cut and served hot off the grill with warm tortillas, freshly prepared salsas, and a wide assortment of side dishes. Rounding out the menu are fresh flavorful entrées inspired by the kitchens of Mexico, including signature, grilled burritos, Pollo Bowl® entrees, Pollo Salads, Tacos al Carbon, Chicken Tortilla Soup, quesadillas, and more.

About El Pollo Loco

El Pollo Loco currently operates 408 restaurants (244 franchised locations and 164 company-owned restaurants) located in California, Arizona, Nevada, Texas, Washington, Colorado, Utah, Illinois, Georgia, Connecticut, Massachusetts and now Oregon. Headquartered in Costa Mesa, California, El Pollo Loco, Inc. is a privately held company owned by Trimaran Pollo Partners, LLC and management. For more information about El Pollo Loco, visit the company's website at www.elpolloloco.com.

This news release contains forward-looking statements, which are statements that do not relate solely to historical fact. They include, but are not limited to, any statement that may predict, forecast, indicate or imply future results, performance, achievements or events. They may contain words such as "believe," "anticipate," "expect," "estimate," "intend," "project," "plan," "will," "should," "may," "could" or words or phrases of similar meaning. The statements reflect management's current expectations regarding future events. Risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, concerns about food-borne illnesses; negative publicity, whether or not valid; adverse public perception due to the occurrence of avian flu; increases in the cost of chicken; an ultimate adverse ruling in litigation involving El Pollo Loco-Mexico which could result in the imposition of significant monetary damages and loss of rights to the trademarks in Mexico; our dependence upon frequent deliveries of food and other supplies; our sensitivity to events and conditions in the greater Los Angeles area; our reliance in part on our franchisees; our vulnerability to changes in consumer preferences and economic conditions; our ability to compete successfully with other quick service and fast casual restaurants; and other risk factors listed from time to time in the Company's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Statements about the Company's past performance are not necessarily indicative of its future results. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as the result of new information, future events or otherwise.

###