El Pollo Loco is bringing its fire-grilled chicken to Bedford and Allen as the California-based company spreads its wings in North Texas.
Set to open in August, the restaurants mark the beginning of a North Texas incursion as the company plans to open between 20 and 30 Dallas-Fort Worth locations by late 2019.
The Bedford and Allen stores, at 1900 Central Drive and 386 E. Stacy Road, respectively, fulfill previously announced plans to co-develop the Dallas-Fort Worth market with longtime franchise owner and operator Chicken Time Holdings LLC, an affiliate of Dallas-based Henry Investment Group.
“We have been very vocal about our attraction to Texas and are thrilled to expand our presence into Dallas-Fort Worth with our partner Chicken Time Holdings to bring our famous fire-grilled chicken to the market for the first time,” said president and CEO Steve Sather, commenting in a news release.
The company’s quick-serve restaurants are known for family chicken meals, as well as burritos, tacos, quesadillas and salads.
In addition to the Bedford and Allen stores, other locations are planned for:
More locations are planned for 8817 N. Freeway, Fort Worth; 1245 W. Pipeline Road, Hurst; 9544 Forest Lane, Dallas; 2125 N. Texas 360, Grand Prairie; and 2834 W. University, Denton.
El Pollo Loco’s expansion in to Dallas-Fort Worth follows its entrance into the Houston area, where it currently operates 12 restaurants.
El Pollo Loco plans to celebrate its new Dallas/Fort Worth restaurant openings with a grand giveaway of 1,000 meals and a #LocoChicken scavenger hunt, which will reward winners who locate custom-made dinner plates in notable locations surrounding the new restaurants with a “Chicken for a Year” prize. The Allen and Bedford restaurants also are scheduled to host grand opening events for the community on Saturday Sept. 10 beginning at 11 a.m. The events will include free family activities and entertainment throughout the day.
More information is available at www.ElPolloLoco.com.