El Pollo Loco Inc

In its first expansion announcement under a new owner, El Pollo Loco unveiled plans to open 100 new restaurants over the next five years at a cost of about $130 million. The Irvine chain was sold in December by Advantica Restaurant Group to New York investment group American Securities Capital Partners. Most of the new stores will be located in Southern California, El Pollo's core market, and in areas it considers its emerging markets--Northern California, Texas, Nevada and Arizona.

El Pollo Loco took a major leap in QSR magazine's annual study of drive-thru restaurants. The Irvine-based chicken chain ranked eighth in overall drive-thru service, placing higher than any other Orange County-based chain, according to the North Carolina trade publication for the fast-food industry. El Pollo Loco ranked 16th a year ago. The QSR study was conducted to determine restaurant performances in four categories: speed, accuracy, menu board appearance and speaker clarity.

The El Pollo Loco chain is starting the new year off with a new owner and advertising slogan: "When You're Crazy for Chicken." The Irvine-based chain, purchased by the New York Investment firm of American Securities Capital, launched the first in a series of high-energy television commercials Jan. 3 featuring people breaking into the "chicken dance" during the course of their day.

A New York investment firm said Wednesday that it has completed its acquisition of Irvine-based El Pollo Loco, the fast-food chain said Wednesday. American Securities Capital Partners paid $114 million for the 25-year-old company and is assuming $15 million in the chain's debt. El Pollo Loco's previous owner, Advantica Restaurant Group Inc., put the 274-unit chain up for sale in June, saying it wanted to focus on remodeling its family-dining restaurants.

The parent company of El Pollo Loco, the Irvine-based fast-food chain that specializes in flame-broiled chicken, agreed Tuesday to sell it to a New York investment firm for $114 million. The new owner, American Securities Capital Partners, said the management team of the 274-outlet chain would remain intact as the company moves to open more restaurants in its core areas, mostly in California.

The parent company of El Pollo Loco, the Irvine-based fast-food chain that specializes in flame-broiled chicken, agreed Tuesday to sell it to a New York City investment firm for $114 million. The new owner would be American Securities Capital Partners, which said the management team of the 274-outlet chain would remain intact as the company moves to open more restaurants in its core areas, mostly in California.

Three Irvine-based restaurant chains owned by South Carolina-based Advantica Restaurant Group Inc. reported mixed second-quarter results. El Pollo Loco, which owns 108 Mexican-style charbroiled chicken eateries and franchises 161 more, saw sales in restaurants open for at least a year rise by 8.3% in company-owned stores and by 6% at franchised operations. Total revenue rose 12.4% to $36.2 million.

Looking to focus on its family-oriented eateries, Advantica Restaurant Group Inc. said Monday that it is putting Irvine-based El Pollo Loco--its lone fast-food chain--up for sale. Advantica owns the Denny's, Coco's and Carrows restaurant chains, all of which are undergoing extensive and expensive remodeling programs. Proceeds from the sale, which is expected to be completed by year's end, will be used to help pay for the remodeling program.

Looking to focus on its family-oriented eateries, Advantica Restaurant Group Inc. said Monday that it is putting Irvine-based El Pollo Loco--its lone fast-food chain--up for sale. Advantica owns the Denny's, Coco's and Carrows restaurant chains, all of which are undergoing extensive and expensive remodeling programs. Proceeds from the sale, expected to be completed by year's end, will be used to help pay for the remodeling.