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00:02El Pollo Loco plans to open its first New York City restaurant in Queens in mid-2027
00:06as the California-based chicken chain pushes to become a national brand, according to CNBC.
00:12The company has signed three development agreements covering 15 restaurants in the
00:15New York area over the next five years. CEO Liz Williams is leading a turnaround
00:20focused on modernizing restaurants, expanding the menu, and growing outside the chain's
00:25Southwestern stronghold. El Pollo Loco now operates more than 500 restaurants across 10 states
00:31and expects to open 18 to 20 new locations by the end of 2026.
00:35The expansion comes as the company reports three straight quarters of same-store sales growth
00:40and faces increasing competition in the chicken category.
00:43For all things money, visit Benzinga.com.
