MIAMI - (BUSINESS WIRE) - Caribbean-inspired quick-casual restaurant chain Pollo Tropical® has opened its 32nd internationally franchised location in Panama City, Panama.
The two-level restaurant is located in a new entertainment and dining complex in the high-end shopping center, Multi-Plaza. Other international brands that have also established locations in Panama City’s Multi-Plaza include Hugo Boss®, Coach®, Jimmy Choo®, Juicy Couture®, Louis Vuitton® and many more.
This is the second restaurant of a five-restaurant development agreement between Pollo Tropical and El Machetazo of Panama. The first Pollo Tropical in Panama opened in May, 2012, at the Albrook Shopping Center. This new restaurant reflects the elevated concept that Pollo Tropical is also utilizing in its expansion domestically, featuring enhanced service with upgraded plates and glassware, in addition to its flame-grilled marinated chicken, roast pork, guava barbecue ribs and made-from-scratch side dishes.
“We have worked closely with our franchise partner in Panama, El Machetazo, to ensure that the Pollo Tropical brand will resonate well with new customers, as well as loyal customers, seeking a fresh and flavorful alternative,” said Marc Mushkin, Senior Vice President of International Development for Pollo Tropical. Two additional units are currently under construction in Panama’s capital.
El Machetazo is considered one of the most significant contributors to the retail industry in Panama today. The company was founded in Panama more than four decades ago. Among its holdings are 14 hypermarkets that operate throughout Panama and the company to employ more than 3,000. The company also owns and operates Café Caney coffee/pastry shops located inside the markets. “It has been a pleasure working with our franchisee to help our brand grow in this dynamic market,” Mr. Mushkin said.
Pollo Tropical, a part of Fiesta Restaurant Group®, owns and operates 93 locations in the United States (Florida, Georgia and Tennessee) plus four licensed units located on college campuses in Florida. The company has 32 international franchised locations in Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Honduras, Panama, Trinidad & Tobago, Venezuela and has agreements in place for additional franchised units in Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Guatemala and N. India. The first Pollo Tropical restaurant opened in 1988 in Miami, Florida. The unique restaurant concept is known for its fresh, never frozen, open flamed grilled chicken, marinated in a proprietary blend of tropical fruit juices and spices, as well as authentic "made from scratch" side dishes. For more information on Pollo Tropical, including menu items and nutritional information as well as information about international franchising, visit online at www.pollotropical.com .
Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc. owns and operates the Pollo Tropical® and Taco Cabana® restaurant brands with 258 company-owned and operated restaurants and 45 franchised restaurants in the U.S., Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Honduras, Panama, Trinidad & Tobago and Venezuela. Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc. also has agreements for future development of franchised Pollo Tropical restaurants in Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Guatamala and N. India. The brands specialize in the operation of fast-casual, ethnic restaurants that offer distinct and unique flavors with broad appeal at a compelling value. Both brands feature made-from-scratch cooking, fresh salsa bars, and drive-thru service and catering. Fiesta common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol FRGI. For more information about Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc., visit the company's website at www.frgi.com.
Impact PR
Jack Wolfe
786-326-6763
jack@impactmiami.com
WWW.POLLOTROPICAL.COM
Pollo Tropical® is a quick-service restaurant concept known for its fresh chicken, marinated for 24 hours in a proprietary blend of citrus juices and spices.