El Pollo Loco

About El Pollo Loco

The story of El Pollo Loco, Spanish for "The Crazy Chicken," begins not in the U.S., but in Guasave, Sinaloa, Mexico, in 1975. Juan Francisco "Pancho" Ochoa, using a family recipe for citrus-marinated grilled chicken, opened a small roadside stand. Its popularity was immediate, leading to 85 restaurants across northern Mexico within five years. In 1980, Ochoa brought his concept to Los Angeles, opening a location on Alvarado Street that quickly found success. This expansion caught the eye of corporate America. In 1983, Denny's Inc. acquired the 19 U.S. locations, leaving the Ochoa family to continue operating the restaurants in Mexico. This sale marked a significant turning point, separating the U.S. brand from its Mexican origins. The U.S. chain went through several ownership changes over the years. After Denny's, it was acquired by TW Services in 1987. In 1999, American Securities Capital Partners bought the chain, which was later sold to Trimaran Capital Partners in 2005. Each acquisition fueled further growth and changes for the brand. A major financial milestone occurred in July 2014, when El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. went public on the NASDAQ stock exchange under the ticker symbol LOCO. This initial public offering provided the capital for further expansion and solidified its position as a major player in the fast-casual restaurant industry.