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FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts: Julie Weeks
714-599-5150
El Pollo Loco
jweeks@elpolloloco.com
08/31/2009 El Pollo Loco Spreads its Wings in Virginia Inspirational Multi-Concept Restaurateur Brings the Chain’s Third Location to Norfolk, VA
COSTA MESA, CA – August 28, 2009 – Following much anticipation around the arrival of El Pollo Loco in Norfolk, the flame-grilled chicken leader will open the doors to Virginia’s third El Pollo Loco restaurant on Monday, August 31, 2009 at 10 a.m.
El Pollo Loco, a leading franchise of more than 420 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 Norfolk, VA restaurant is located at 1136 North Military Highway across Virginia Beach Boulevard in the JANAF Shopping Yard. The building is approximately 3,100 square feet and offers bright, comfortable seating for 78 guests. The restaurant employs about 50 new hires from the local community and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. The restaurant offers drive-thru service along with dine-in and take-out service. Catering for special events and celebrations is also available. Last year, El Pollo Loco debuted in the state – opening locations in Virginia Beach and Hampton Roads.
“I am thrilled to bring El Pollo Loco to the people of Norfolk,” said Ella Avery-Smothers, franchise owner of El Pollo Loco’s Virginia restaurants. “In these challenging times, El Pollo Loco offers great value along with the fresh, healthful, delicious taste of our famous citrus-marinated, flame-grilled chicken. Virginians who have experienced El Pollo Loco are excited to finally be able to enjoy the mouthwatering taste of El Pollo Loco here locally.”
Avery-Smothers, an experienced and inspirational restaurateur who owns seven Burger King franchises in Los Angeles in addition to her development of El Pollo Loco in Virginia, was raised on a tobacco farm with six siblings in a poverty-stricken area of Southern Virginia. She was educated through the 5th grade in a one-room school house she now owns. She overcame the odds to become a notable power player in the franchise restaurant industry.
Norfolk’s El Pollo Loco features the company’s new building design. The impressive exterior evokes contemporary Mexican design with multiple textures, geometric shapes, natural wood and Aztec design elements. The dramatic interior highlights El Pollo Loco’s fresh, 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 new dining room is a circular, self serve salsa bar approachable from all directions so guests can easily customize their menu selections with any combination of El Pollo Loco’s signature salsas. All are prepared fresh every day.
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, tacos, Pollo Bowl Entrees®, chicken tortilla soup and more.
About El Pollo Loco
El Pollo Loco operates over 420 restaurants (a combination of company and franchise locations) located in California, Arizona, Nevada, Texas, Oregon, Colorado, Utah, Illinois, Virginia, Georgia, Missouri, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Jersey. Headquartered in Costa Mesa, California, El Pollo Loco, Inc. is a privately held company owned by Trimaran Pollo Partners, LLC and management. The principal investors in Trimaran Pollo Partners are funds affiliated with Trimaran Capital, LLC and Freeman Spogli & Co. For more information about El Pollo Loco, visit the company’s website at www.elpolloloco.com.
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