El Pollo Loco

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Food & Beverage
Chicken

El Pollo Loco

Food & Beverage
Chicken

El Pollo Loco Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2025)

El Pollo Loco serves flame-grilled chicken and Mexican-inspired dishes, offering a flavorful and healthy dining experience.

El Pollo Loco, which translates to “The Crazy Chicken,” is a prominent quick-service chain celebrated for its Mexican-style fire-grilled chicken. The concept originated in 1975 when founder Juan Francisco Ochoa launched the first restaurant in Guasave, Sinaloa, Mexico. By 1980, the brand had crossed into the United States, opening its inaugural U.S. location in Los Angeles.

Now headquartered in Costa Mesa, California, El Pollo Loco entered the franchising arena in 1987. Its menu showcases a diverse range of offerings, including tacos, burritos, bowls, and fresh salads—centered around their signature citrus-marinated grilled chicken.

What sets El Pollo Loco apart is its dedication to healthier, flavorful alternatives to conventional fast food. With an emphasis on fresh ingredients and open-flame grilling, the brand continues to thrive in a highly competitive market by combining authentic taste with better-for-you options.

Initial investment

Here's what you would need to invest if you were to start this franchise. These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.

Type of Expenditure Amount
Initial Fee $40,000
Lease Payment $7,000 – $25,000
Building Improvements $248,250 – $980,000
Site Improvements $150,000 – $564,000
Market Study and/or Impact Analysis $0 – $12,000
Architectural Design & Engineering $20,000 – $110,000
Equipment, Fixtures and Furnishings $200,000 – $570,000
Computer-based cash control system and Restaurant management or “point of sale system” $15,000 – $70,000
Training for computer-based cash control system and Restaurant management or “point of sale system” $1,000 – $7,000
Travel & Accommodation Expenses $2,000 – $25,000
Opening Inventory and Supplies $20,000 – $25,000
Signs (including Indoor Digital Menu Boards) $30,000 – $70,000
Digital Communication Board $1,500 – $2,500
Outdoor Order Confirmation Board $9,000 – $20,000
Lease Security Deposits $5,000 – $10,000
Insurance $10,000 – $20,000
Grand Opening Fee $5,000
New Restaurant Opening Support $5,000 – $30,000
Additional Funds – 3 months $25,000 – $100,000
Total Estimated Initial Investment $793,750 – $2,685,500
Type of Expenditure Amount
Initial Fee $40,000
Lease Payment $7,000 – $25,000
Building Improvements $248,250 – $980,000
Site Improvements $150,000 – $564,000
Market Study and/or Impact Analysis $0 – $12,000
Architectural Design & Engineering $20,000 – $110,000
Equipment, Fixtures and Furnishings $200,000 – $570,000
Computer-based cash control system and Restaurant management or “point of sale system” $15,000 – $70,000
Training for computer-based cash control system and Restaurant management or “point of sale system” $1,000 – $7,000
Travel & Accommodation Expenses $2,000 – $25,000
Opening Inventory and Supplies $20,000 – $25,000
Signs (including Indoor Digital Menu Boards) $30,000 – $70,000
Digital Communication Board $1,500 – $2,500
Outdoor Order Confirmation Board $9,000 – $20,000
Lease Security Deposits $5,000 – $10,000
Insurance $10,000 – $20,000
Grand Opening Fee $5,000
New Restaurant Opening Support $5,000 – $30,000
Additional Funds – 3 months $25,000 – $100,000
Total Estimated Initial Investment $793,750 – $2,685,500

Franchise Disclosure Document

Number of units

Training

El Pollo Loco offers a comprehensive and structured set of training programs to ensure franchisees and their teams are prepared to manage restaurant operations effectively. The training is categorized into several programs, each targeting different roles within the restaurant.

  1. Executive Franchisee Training Program (EFTP): This program consists of 5 business days of training conducted at the Support Center. It is intended for the franchisee and provides a high-level overview of El Pollo Loco's operational systems and expectations.
  2. Designated Operator Training Program (DOTP): Spanning 70 days over a 14-week period, this hands-on program takes place at Certified Training Restaurants (CTRs). It includes certification in the Food Protection Management Training Program and is mandatory for those designated as the operating authority for the restaurant.
  3. Management Training Program (MTP): Required for General Managers, Assistant Managers, and Shift Leaders, this 40-day course over 8 weeks emphasizes practical restaurant management skills and adherence to El Pollo Loco standards.

Territory Protection

El Pollo Loco grants franchisees a limited Protected Area of 0.5 miles around their restaurant, within which the franchisor will not open or franchise another traditional El Pollo Loco location, as long as the franchisee remains in compliance.

However, this protection excludes Ghost Kitchens and Non-Traditional Venues (e.g., malls, airports, universities). The franchisor also reserves the right to sell similar products through other brands or channels, including retail, online, and third parties, even within the Protected Area.

KEY FRANCHISE STATS

All you need to know about this franchise

Started franchising
1980
Franchisees

?

325
+
8%
8%
Franchise fee

?

$40,000
Investment

?

$794,000 - $2,686,000
Revenue (AUV)

?

Undisclosed
Upgrade

$2,063,000

+
-0.1%
-0.1%
Operating Profit

?

Upgrade

n.a.

Home based

?

No
Upgrade
No
Passive investment

?

No
Upgrade
No
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Competitors

Below are some of

El Pollo Loco

key competitors in the

Chicken

sector.

Franchise
Franchisees
Initial fee
Total investment
Revenue
Upgrade
Gross Profit
Upgrade
EBITDA
Upgrade

325

New
+
8%
8%

$40,000

$794,000

$2,686,000

n.a.

$2,063,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

714

New
+
-7%
-7%

$20,000

$644,000

$1,809,000

n.a.

$1,256,000

$xxx,xxx

69.8%

xx%

n.a.

21.5%

xx%

n.a.

192

New
+
43%
43%

$30,000

$1,229,000

$4,466,000

n.a.

$2,396,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

994

New
+
-8%
-8%

$0

$28,000

$302,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

538

New
+
2%
2%

$25,000

$2,450,000

$4,883,000

n.a.

$3,443,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

205

New
+
67%
67%

$45,000

$305,000

$1,289,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

69

New
+
64%
64%

$35,000

$933,000

$2,996,000

n.a.

$2,169,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

0

New
+
n.a.
n.a.

$35,000

$363,000

$726,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

2

New
+
n.a.
n.a.

$30,000

$478,000

$834,000

n.a.

$1,073,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

1

New
+
n.a.
n.a.

$50,000

$603,000

$1,323,000

n.a.

$2,107,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

12

New
+
200%
200%

$30,000

$415,000

$1,132,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

2

New
+
0%
0%

$30,000

$535,000

$1,155,000

n.a.

$2,771,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

11

New
+
10%
10%

$35,000

$582,000

$1,422,000

n.a.

$1,678,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

13

New
+
-19%
-19%

$50,000

$568,000

$2,529,000

n.a.

$2,151,000

$xxx,xxx

75.5%

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

3079

New
+
6%
6%

$50,000

$505,000

$3,923,000

n.a.

$1,824,000

$xxx,xxx

69.0%

xx%

n.a.

12.0%

xx%

n.a.

38

New
+
-19%
-19%

$35,000

$192,000

$795,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

12

New
+
100%
100%

$15,000

$77,000

$440,000

n.a.

$492,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

4

New
+
n.a.
n.a.

$30,000

$875,000

$2,690,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

15

New
+
-12%
-12%

$40,000

$1,455,000

$3,751,000

n.a.

$3,853,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

30

New
+
-3%
-3%

$40,000

$408,000

$1,233,000

n.a.

$1,802,000

$xxx,xxx

63.4%

xx%

n.a.

14.9%

xx%

n.a.

2154

New
+
28%
28%

$25,000

$298,000

$1,014,000

n.a.

$2,002,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

39

New
+
95%
95%

$30,000

$340,000

$616,000

n.a.

$757,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

559

New
+
10%
10%

$35,000

$779,000

$3,829,000

n.a.

$2,128,000

$xxx,xxx

70.0%

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

2629

New
+
12%
12%

$10,000

$427,000

$2,340,000

n.a.

$8,742,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

28

New
+
-3%
-3%

$40,000

$109,000

$751,000

n.a.

$1,243,000

$xxx,xxx

57.7%

xx%

n.a.

12.9%

xx%

n.a.

5

New
+
n.a.
n.a.

$40,000

$206,000

$688,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

15

New
+
200%
200%

$45,000

$452,000

$1,050,000

n.a.

$1,850,000

$xxx,xxx

67.6%

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

101

New
+
-8%
-8%

$75,000

$2,748,000

$4,100,000

n.a.

$3,575,000

$xxx,xxx

72.8%

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

22

New
+
633%
633%

$40,000

$682,000

$1,536,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

5

New
+
n.a.
n.a.

$40,000

$206,000

$688,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

54

New
+
0%
0%

$40,000

$1,483,000

$2,000,000

n.a.

$2,659,000

$xxx,xxx

68.7%

xx%

n.a.

10.2%

xx%

n.a.

146

New
+
564%
564%

$40,000

$620,000

$1,963,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

0

New
+
n.a.
n.a.

$40,000

$644,000

$2,293,000

n.a.

$1,793,000

$xxx,xxx

65.9%

xx%

n.a.

19.5%

xx%

n.a.

3558

New
+
-7%
-7%

$45,000

$1,053,000

$3,772,000

n.a.

$1,414,000

$xxx,xxx

66.3%

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

826

New
+
6%
6%

$35,000

$1,445,000

$3,811,000

n.a.

$2,710,000

$xxx,xxx

67.8%

xx%

n.a.

12.8%

xx%

n.a.

21

New
+
0%
0%

$25,000

$358,000

$2,699,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

41

New
+
-15%
-15%

$50,000

$465,000

$2,536,000

n.a.

$1,852,000

$xxx,xxx

75.4%

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

11

New
+
175%
175%

$35,000

$628,000

$1,427,000

n.a.

$2,116,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

415

New
+
0%
0%

$0

$9,000

$349,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

15

New
+
0%
0%

$35,000

$128,000

$500,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

54

New
+
-2%
-2%

$25,000

$369,000

$2,881,000

n.a.

$1,484,000

$xxx,xxx

71.3%

xx%

n.a.

12.1%

xx%

n.a.

0

New
+
n.a.
n.a.

$35,000

$183,000

$995,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

14

New
+
-7%
-7%

$40,000

$399,000

$1,499,000

n.a.

$2,623,000

$xxx,xxx

70.7%

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

93

New
+
-18%
-18%

$35,000

$517,000

$2,354,000

n.a.

$1,686,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

194

New
+
1%
1%

$30,000

$821,000

$1,913,000

n.a.

$1,329,000

$xxx,xxx

64.8%

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

10

New
+
233%
233%

$30,000

$506,000

$662,000

n.a.

$1,662,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

95

New
+
375%
375%

$35,000

$306,000

$518,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

27

New
+
50%
50%

$37,500

$192,000

$698,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

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$399,000 - $1,499,000
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Investment

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$582,000 - $1,422,000
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