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FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts: Julie Weeks
714-599-5150
El Pollo Loco
jweeks@elpolloloco.com
1/29/2008 El Pollo Loco Breaks Ground on First of 15 Restaurants Slated for Utah Restaurant Industry Veteran Introduces Utah to Leading Mexican Fast-Casual Concept
LEHI, UT – January 29, 2008 – El Pollo Loco, the nation’s leader in citrus-marinated, flame-grilled chicken, will break ground on the first of 15 locations it will bring to the state of Utah through a multi-unit development agreement with WKS Restaurant Corporation, owned by veteran El Pollo Loco franchisee Roland Spongberg. The first Utah El Pollo Loco, scheduled to open in May of 2008, will be built at 88 North State Street in Lehi, across from the Meadows Shopping Center in front of Lowe’s and Costco.
A ground breaking ceremony with local residents and community dignitaries, including Lehi Mayor Howard Johnson, will take place on Tuesday, February 12 at 11:00 a.m. at the site of Utah’s first El Pollo Loco: 88 North State Street in Lehi. The public is invited to attend and El Pollo Loco will award each attendee a certificate for a FREE 8-piece meal ($18.49 value) redeemable at the restaurant when it opens.
The milestone event marks the first time entry of the 389-unit El Pollo Loco in the state of Utah, and builds on the chain’s expansion beyond its West Coast base. El Pollo Loco is famous for its fresh, natural chicken marinated in special herbs, spices and citrus juices and flame-grilled to juicy perfection. The award-winning chicken is served in individual and family meals with a choice of sides, warm tortillas and freshly prepared salsas and is also featured in a wide variety of fresh Mexican entrees, including the Original Pollo Bowl®, Pollo Salads, tacos, grilled burritos, quesadillas, Chicken Tortilla Soup, and more. Winner of numerous “Best Chicken” awards, El Pollo Loco is also a gold winner in Restaurants & Institutions’ 2007 Consumers’ Choice in Chains awards.
“Simply put, El Pollo Loco has the best tasting food in its category; nothing comes close in terms of food quality,” Spongberg said. “El Pollo Loco truly has the whole package – a healthful dining option with the freshest ingredients and exceptional customer service. We are excited to bring the concept to Utah and, based on our research, the region is primed and ready for El Pollo Loco.”
Since 1987, Spongberg and WKS Corporation have evolved from being a single restaurant operator to becoming the largest franchisee within the El Pollo Loco system. WKS Corporation currently operates 51 El Pollo Loco locations.
In addition to its Utah development, the company has a pipeline of franchise restaurant commitments in Georgia, Missouri, Illinois, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, New England, New York, New Jersey, Florida, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, and Northern California– fueling the flame for the 389-unit chain’s continued growth into new markets around the country.
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®, Pollo Salads, Tacos al Carbon, quesadillas, and more.
About El Pollo Loco
El Pollo Loco currently operates 389 restaurants (230 franchised locations and 159 company-owned restaurants), located principally in California, with additional restaurants in 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.
Safe Harbor Statement
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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