How Pollo Campero’s Passionate Customer Base Inspired This Food Service Veteran to Franchise with the Brand

Pollo Campero franchisee Mike Woolf has over 30 years of experience in the food service industry. Since 1989, he has worked with Oklahoma-based deli City Bites. At City Bites, he was introduced to Pollo Campero, the 350-unit international chicken franchise, by Guatemalan employees who couldn’t stop raving about the brand.

Pollo Campero started in Guatemala in 1971 and came to the United States 20 years ago. It has become a favorite among Central Americans. The passion Woolf saw for the brand is what initially intrigued him. 

“They would always talk about going to Houston and Dallas and getting Pollo Campero,” Woolf said. The restaurant was so popular that it was not uncommon for those going to Pollo Campero in Texas to take orders and bring back 80 or 90 boxes for friends and family in Oklahoma. 

After being on the other side of the food service model for so long, Woolf became interested in franchising. He liked the idea of being a part of an established brand with the resources and knowledge to operate a business. 

“It was my first time eating Pollo Campero’s food,” Woolf recalled about the visit. “It just felt like we were eating Thanksgiving dinner. Even though it's quick service, when you come in, it’s like a family meal.” He was also very impressed with the quality of the food itself and the way it was prepared. 

From there, Woolf was sold. “We just knew that, if we could make it work, this is what we wanted to pursue,” he said. 

One of the primary reasons for this intrigue is how open the market was in this segment, particularly in Oklahoma. At the time, nothing comparable was being served to meet the need for quick-service Central American food. And the franchise is certainly meeting that need. 

Until an opening in California, Oklahoma City had the single opening day sales record in the United States. So many cars were lined up that the store had to close its drive-thru two hours prematurely. 

“At some points, customers were waiting three and four hours to get their beloved Pollo Campero chicken,” said Woolf. 

The response has continued to be very positive. To a Guatemalan or Central American, Pollo Campero is a little piece of home that they can get in this country. Woolf noted times during the opening week when Guatemalans would even come up to him in tears, thanking him for bringing Pollo Campero to the state of Oklahoma. And for other Oklahoma locals who are new to the brand, they can’t get enough. 

Pollo Campero is getting ready for a significant expansion throughout the United States, and Woolf and his team are in full speed ahead mode to be a part of it. They are close to opening their second location in Oklahoma City and have signed to open a third location in Tulsa, with plans to open five in the state. Once those five are established, Woolf said they plan on exploring future opportunities with the brand. 

“It's certainly an exciting time to be in the Pollo Campero family,” said Woolf. “We’re very excited about the future.” 

In addition to Oklahoma, the Pollo Campero team is looking to grow in markets like San Diego, Colorado, Utah, the Carolinas, Georgia, Tennessee and North Florida. The brand will also open more corporate-owned stores, focusing on California, New York and South Florida.   

Initial investments range from $1,287,250 – $2,491,500*. For more information, visit https://camperofranchise.com/.

*To see the brand’s full reported financials, please reference Pollo Campero’s Franchise Disclosure Document (updated July 13, 2022).