El Pollo Loco Introduces a Chicken Sandwich Like No Other (Press Release)

A juicy citrus-marinated, flame-grilled chicken breast is topped with shredded lettuce, fresh guacamole and pico de gallo and served in an authentic grilled telera roll for sensational taste.

-- Chain Leader, 6/5/2008 9:03:00 AM

COSTA MESA, CALIF. (June 5, 2008) - Chicken sandwiches have long been a staple on restaurant menus, but not at El Pollo Loco.  The chain, famous for its fresh, natural chicken, marinated in a secret blend of herbs, spices and citrus juices and grilled to perfection over an open flame, took its sweet time in creating a sandwich worthy of its award-winning flame-grilled chicken.  And that moment has come-- but only for a limited time!

Beginning June 9, 2008 and continuing through August 3, 2008, fans will have a delicious new way to enjoy the flame-grilled taste of El Pollo Loco, thanks to the culinary experts at El Pollo Loco, who have created a chicken sandwich to top all chicken sandwiches.  It begins, of course, with a juicy El Pollo Loco citrus-marinated chicken breast, grilled to perfection by the chain's expert grill masters.  The chicken is then placed in an authentic grilled telera roll (Mexican style soft bread used for traditional torta sandwiches) and topped with shredded lettuce, real guacamole, and fresh pico de gallo prepared daily in El Pollo Loco restaurants. 

Commenting on El Pollo Loco's latest chicken sensation, Karen Eadon, chief marketing officer for El Pollo Loco, said, "We recognize there's no shortage of chicken sandwiches on restaurant menus today.  That's exactly why we wouldn't settle for anything less than extraordinary when creating a sandwich to showcase our signature flame-grilled chicken.  Our discipline has paid off.  We have an amazing sandwich that's delicious, yet uncomplicated, and which uses the freshest of ingredients to bring forth the juicy citrus-marinated, flame-grilled taste of our award-winning chicken."

El Pollo Loco will communicate the availability of its new Chicken Sandwich with a television spot that begins airing in select West Coast markets beginning June 16, 2008.  In addition to television advertising, a wide mix of point-of-purchase vehicles will be used, including banners, translites, window clings and drive-thru communication.

El Pollo Loco, Inc., a privately held company headquartered in Costa Mesa, California, offers a wide variety of fresh Mexican entrees (grilled chicken burritos, Pollo Bowl? entrees, salads, tacos, quesadillas, and more) in addition to individual and family meals of its famous chicken served with a wide variety of sides, warm tortillas and fresh salsas.  The company currently operates over 400 restaurants in ten states:  California, Arizona, Nevada, Texas, Colorado, Washington, Illinois, Georgia, Massachusetts and Connecticut.  For more information, visit the company's website at www.elpolloloco.com.