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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts: Julie Weeks
714-599-5150
El Pollo Loco
jweeks@elpolloloco.com

12/10/2007 - El Pollo Loco Opens its Doors in Pittsburg

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


El Pollo Loco Opens its Doors in Pittsburg

Flame-grilled chicken leader brings pollo to Pittsburg; mega franchise developer opens first of 35 planned El Pollo Loco restaurants in Northern California, Washington and Oregon



COSTA MESA, CA – December 7, 2007 – Pittsburg has a brand new flame! El Pollo Loco, Inc., a leading franchise of more than 385 fast casual restaurants, will open the doors to Pittsburg’s first El Pollo Loco on Monday, December 10, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. The West Coast-based chain is famous 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-inspired entrees.



Pittsburg’s new El Pollo Loco is located at 4444 Century Boulevard, off Highway 4 at the Somerville exit near Delta Gateway Blvd. The restaurant is nearly 4,000 square feet and features an open dining area with flexible seating for more than 90 guests. The warm colors and ambiance highlight the chain’s authentic Mexican roots and encourage customers to relax and enjoy the unique El Pollo Loco dining experience. The restaurant employs approximately 60 new hires from the local community and is open seven days a week, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Drive-thru service is offered, in addition to dine-in and take-out service. Catering for special events and celebrations is also available.



The Pittsburg location marks the first of 35 El Pollo Loco restaurants that West Pollo Partners, LP plans to open in Northern California and Oregon. Through a multi-unit agreement with El Pollo Loco, West Pollo Partners, LP, led by CEO John D. Gantes, plans to open five El Pollo Loco restaurants next year-- one in Brentwood, CA; a second in Oakley, CA; and three in Oregon (in the cities of Beaverton, Wood Village and Bend).



“We are absolutely thrilled to kick off our development of El Pollo Loco restaurants right here in Pittsburg,” said Rick LeSage, Chief Operations Officer of West Pollo Partners, LP. “No one else does what El Pollo Loco does with its fresh, natural citrus-marinated chicken grilled over an open flame and we think the people of Pittsburg are going to love it.” According to LeSage, West Pollo Partners, LP plans to develop the remainder of its El Pollo Loco locations over the next seven years.



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, the Original Pollo Bowl® entrees, Pollo Salads, Tacos al Carbon, quesadillas, and more.


About El Pollo Loco
El Pollo Loco currently operates 386 restaurants (228 franchised locations and 158 company-owned restaurants) located in California, Arizona, Nevada, Texas, Colorado, Illinois, Georgia, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. Headquartered in Costa Mesa, California, El Pollo Loco, Inc. is a privately held company owned by Trimaran Capital Partners and company 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; increases in the cost of chicken; an adverse ruling from the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in litigation involving El Pollo Loco S.A. de C.V. (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. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as the result of new information, future events or otherwise.



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