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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

06/26/2008El Pollo Loco Spreads it Wings in Lehi, Marking the Brand’s Entry into Utah Largest El Pollo Loco Franchisee Brings the Chain’s Famous Flame-Grilled Chicken to the State

COSTA MESA, CA – June 26, 2008 – Utah has a brand new flame, and Lehi is the first town to “ignite” it! Following much anticipation around the arrival of El Pollo Loco in Utah, the flame-grilled chicken leader will open the doors to the state’s very first El Pollo Loco on Thursday, June 26th at 9:00 a.m. in Lehi. 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 Lehi restaurant is located at 88 North State Street across from the Meadows Shopping Center in front of Costco. It is approximately 3,200 square feet and offers bright, comfortable seating for nearly 100 guests. The restaurant employs 50 new hires from the local community and is open Monday through Saturday, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. The restaurant offers drive-thru service, in addition to dine-in and take-out service. Catering for special events and celebrations is also available.

Utah’s first El Pollo Loco highlights the company’s famous fresh, natural 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 dining room is a self serve salsa bar featuring a variety of salsas that guests can use to customize their menu selections. All of the salsas are prepared fresh every day.

The new Lehi location is one of 15 El Pollo Loco restaurants to be opened in Utah by Roland Spongberg, president and CEO of WKS Restaurant Corporation, and his team. Since 1987, Spongberg has evolved from being a single restaurant operator in Long Beach, CA, to becoming the largest franchisee within the El Pollo Loco system with 50+ locations in California, Arizona, Colorado and now Utah.

In addition to the Lehi location, El Pollo Loco will open two more Utah locations later this year-- one in Washington and another in St. George. More locations will follow in the years ahead.

“We are both honored and excited to bring Utah its very first El Pollo Loco,” said Roland Spongberg, Chief Executive Officer of WKS Restaurant Corporation. “The people of Utah 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.”

Compared to fried chicken, El Pollo Loco provides a healthier option with its flame-grilled method of preparation. El Pollo Loco additionally offers an assortment of wholesome sides-- including fresh vegetables, garden salad, and pinto beans, and freshly prepared salsas.

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, quesadillas, Chicken Tortilla Soup and more.

About El Pollo Loco
El Pollo Loco currently operates 406 restaurants (242 franchised locations and 164 company-owned restaurants) located in California, Arizona, Nevada, Texas, Colorado, Washington, Utah, Illinois, Georgia, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. 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.

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