
El Pollo Loco
Food & Beverage · Quick-Service Restaurants
- Active units
- 328
- Avg unit volume
- $2.2M
- Royalty
- 5.0%
Franchised, year-end 2025
Average Net Sales Per EPL Restaurant – Total All Restaurants (FY2025)
of weekly Net Sales
About El Pollo Loco
El Pollo Loco is a renowned fast-food restaurant chain from the United States that specializes in Mexican-style grilled chicken. Founded in 1975 by Juan Francisco Ochoa, the restaurant quickly gained popularity for its unique flame-grilled chicken recipe and opened its first location in Los Angeles, California. El Pollo Loco's headquarters is located in Costa Mesa, California. The company has expanded significantly since its inception and currently operates over 475 restaurants across the United States. Their headquarters coordinates various aspects of the business such as marketing, supply chain, and overall management. The main products offered by El Pollo Loco include their famous flame-grilled chicken, which is marinated in a secret blend of herbs, spices, and citrus juice. Customers can choose from various meal options that include chicken pieces, burritos, tacos, salads, and quesadillas. The restaurant also offers a range of sides like rice, beans, and corn, as well as beverages and desserts. In terms of its global operations, El Pollo Loco primarily focuses on the United States market and does not have a significant presence internationally. The company does not have any noteworthy subsidiaries, joint ventures, or partnerships that have been documented. As for its market position, El Pollo Loco has established itself as a leading brand in the fast-food industry, particularly in the Mexican-style grilled chicken segment. While it faces tough competition from other fast-food chains, such as Chipotle Mexican Grill and KFC, El Pollo Loco differentiates itself with its flame-grilled chicken and emphasis on freshness and quality ingredients. Over the years, El Pollo Loco has witnessed various events and achievements. In 1980, the company went public and was listed on the NASDAQ stock exchange. In recent years, it has focused on expanding its menu to cater to changing customer preferences, including introducing plant-based protein options. This strategy has helped the brand attract a wider customer base and adapt to market trends. As of the latest available information, El Pollo Loco continues to thrive in the fast-food industry. The company regularly introduces new limited-time menu offerings and engages in marketing campaigns to attract customers. The ongoing expansion of its restaurant locations indicates a positive outlook for the brand's growth. In conclusion, El Pollo Loco is a popular fast-food chain known for its Mexican-style grilled chicken. With headquarters in Costa Mesa, California, the company operates numerous restaurants across the United States. El Pollo Loco's market position remains strong, and it continually adapts to changing consumer preferences. As a brand, it continues to pursue growth opportunities and maintain its reputation as a leader in the Mexican-style fast-food segment.
Key terms
- Franchise fee
$40k
- Multi-unit Development pricing
Initial Fee for the second and each subsequent Restaurant under the same Development Agreement reduced to $30,000
- 2025–2026 Incentive Program
Initial Fee reduced to $20,000 for each Restaurant opened by December 31, 2026; Development Fee payment deferred/possibly abated
- Brand fund
5.0% of Net Sales
- Footprint
1,800 – 2,800 sq ft
- Development Agreement
$20k
Brand Percentile Rankings
Rankings compare brands in the same operating year. Fee and investment figures come from the FDD (2026 filing); filings on file: 2024, 2026.
Growth
- Total locations328
Franchised units open at year-end
- New openings11
Gross new units opened during the calendar year
- 1-year unit growth rate0.9%
Net unit growth versus prior year
- 3-year unit CAGR0.8%
Compound annual growth rate of unit count over the trailing 3 years
- Unit growth ratio1.4×
Cumulative opens / closures through year-end
Unit economics
- Annual unit volume (Median)$2.2M
Average Net Sales Per EPL Restaurant – Total All Restaurants (FY2025)
- Annual unit volume (25th percentile)—
Per FDD Item 19 disclosure
- Annual unit volume (75th percentile)—
Per FDD Item 19 disclosure
- 1-year Median AUV growth rate—
Year-over-year change in median AUV
- Store-level EBITDA Margin—
Median unit-level EBITDA / AUV
Investment profile
- Estimated initial investment$1.7M
Midpoint of estimated initial investment range
↓ Lower is better - Time to open—
Midpoint of average time from agreement to opening
- Royalty rate5.0%
Percent of net sales paid to the franchisor
↓ Lower is better - Sales-to-investment ratio1.3×
Median AUV / estimated initial investment midpoint
- Cash-on-cash returns—
Median unit-level EBITDA / estimated initial investment midpoint. Steady-state estimate; year 1 returns will be lower as the unit ramps to median volumes.
Franchisee healthLocked
- Unit closure ratio
- Transfer vs. closure ratio
- Percent multi-unit franchisees
- Litigation rate
- EBITDA multiple on sales & transfers
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