El Pollo Loco Finalized New York Expansion Agreements
The chicken chain plans to open 15 new restaurants in the New York area starting with a location in Queens.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Dining Out
Live Poll
Do you welcome the arrival of new national chain restaurants in your local area?
El Pollo Loco has finalized development agreements to bring 15 new locations to New York. The first restaurant in the state is scheduled to open in Queens by mid-2027 as part of a broader push to become a national brand.
Why it matters
The company aims to transition into a national chicken chain, leveraging recent same-store sales growth to expand its footprint from 10 states to the East Coast. This move signals a significant push to increase its current 2.1% market share of U.S. chicken chain sales.
El Pollo Loco operates over 500 restaurants across 10 states and holds a 2.1% share of the U.S. chicken chain market. The company recently reported three straight quarters of same-store sales growth.
The players
El Pollo Loco
This fast-casual restaurant chain specializes in fire-grilled chicken and originally began its U.S. operations in Los Angeles.
Liz Williams
She is the current CEO of El Pollo Loco and has led the company since March 2024.
Tara Hinkle
She serves as the chief development officer for the company and manages its expansion strategy.
Damon Thomas
He recently joined the company as chief operating officer to help oversee restaurant operations and modernization efforts.
The details
The chain is modernizing its physical restaurants and expanding its menu options to include wraps and chicken tenders to appeal to new demographics. This growth strategy follows an internal leadership shakeup including the appointment of Damon Thomas as chief operating officer.
Timeline
El Pollo Loco was founded in Mexico in 1975.
Liz Williams began her tenure as CEO in March 2024.
Tara Hinkle joined as chief development officer in July 2026.
The company projects 10 to 18 new restaurant openings by the end of 2026.
The first New York location will open in Queens in mid-2027.
Roadmap
This move marks a major departure from the brand's traditional West Coast concentration as it seeks to scale its operations nationally. The expansion into New York positions the company to compete more directly with established national poultry players for market dominance.
New Yorkers can expect the addition of new fast-casual dining options as the chain arrives in Queens by 2027. The expansion may introduce new menu items like wraps and chicken tenders to the local market while potentially creating new employment opportunities in the area.
The takeaway
The chain's move into the competitive New York market represents its most ambitious attempt to scale into a truly national competitor. Consumers should watch for new menu innovations and potential restaurant modernization as the brand prepares for its 2027 East Coast debut.
Further reading
For more on the changing culinary landscape of the city, visit Dining Out.
Live Poll
Do you welcome the arrival of new national chain restaurants in your local area?
