El Pollo Loco is expanding to the East Coast, entering the New York market as part of a strategy to build a national presence. The brand has traditionally been concentrated in the Southwestern United States.
The company signed its first restaurant lease in Queens, with an opening expected in mid-2027. It has also secured three development agreements to open 15 restaurants in the New York area over the next five years.
To support the expansion, El Pollo Loco appointed Damon Thomas as chief operating officer and Tara Hinkle as chief development officer. The move follows three consecutive quarters of same-store sales growth.