El Pollo Loco to open its first New York restaurant in 2027 — CNBC

Restaurant chain El Pollo Loco plans to open its first location in New York, United States, in mid-2027. The restaurant will open in Queens and will be part of the company’s plans to expand beyond its traditional market in the country’s Southwest, CNBC reports.

Plans in New York

The company has signed three development agreements that provide for the opening of a total of 15 El Pollo Loco restaurants in the New York area over the next five years. The first location in Queens is set to open in mid-2027.

El Pollo Loco CEO Liz Williams said the company aims to become a national chain. According to her, the brand plans to expand on the U.S. East Coast and later move west across the country.

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The chain and competition

El Pollo Loco was founded in Mexico in 1975, and its first U.S. restaurant opened in Los Angeles. Most of the chain’s locations are still in California, but it already has more than 500 restaurants in 10 states. The company is known for its bone-in grilled chicken and is expanding its menu with wraps and chicken tenders.

Since Williams was appointed to the position in March 2024, El Pollo Loco has expanded its presence from six to 10 states. Last year, the chain opened nine restaurants and expects to launch between 10 and 18 new locations by the end of 2026. The company also reported three consecutive quarters of comparable-sales growth.

According to Barclays, El Pollo Loco ranked eighth among U.S. chicken restaurant chains by sales in 2024, with a 2.1% market share.