Pollo Campero Targets Tennessee for Franchise Expansion with Capacity for 11 New Restaurants

With two locations established in the state and another expected to open in the first few months of 2024, Pollo Campero, the Central American chicken franchise, is growing in Tennessee. Having established a network of 92 units across the U.S. and another 270 worldwide, the brand has proven its longevity and power with guests. As part of a larger southeastern expansion plan, Pollo Campero is looking to add another 11 restaurants to the Tennessee market in the next 10 years.

“We have two locations already open in Madison and Nashville, and a restaurant is slated to open in Smyrna in Q1 of 2024,” said Blas Escarcega, director of franchise development at Pollo Campero. “Pollo Campero already has a growing customer base in the state, and we’re looking to build on that foothold as part of a larger southeastern development strategy.”

Pollo Campero offers flavorful chicken meals based on a family recipe that has been perfected over the course of decades. The chicken segment alone accounts for a major portion of restaurant business, and Pollo Campero has a distinct advantage by bringing an in-demand, often hard-to-find variation to an already established segment.

“People in the southeast love their chicken,” said Escarcega. “It’s a staple, so we’re confident that the demand is there, but we aren’t like the majority of other chicken restaurants in the state. This will allow us to establish a robust network of restaurants throughout the state without worry of fading into the crowd of standard American chicken concepts.”

The state has the capacity for 14 restaurants total, so Pollo Campero is looking to open two within the next year and gradually increase its presence over the next decade to build out the entire market.

Currently, Pollo Campero sees great potential in Clarksville, Murfreesboro, Chattanooga, Knoxville, Franklin, Pigeon Forge and Memphis, and strong real estate availability in these areas will place franchisees in a favorable position to select the site that best fits the unique demands of their own community or market while still taking advantage of the perks of these bustling cities.

“Tennessee has a booming economy and is very business-friendly,” added Escarcega. “As the state grows, its diversity is increasing, and we’re seeing an influx of Central American people that are already familiar with Pollo Campero. Franchisees who open in Tennessee will enjoy a healthy balance of legacy fans who already know and love us, local residents excited to try something new and constantly changing business and tourism traffic.”

As Pollo Campero continues its development push in Tennessee, Escarcega will continue to visit local markets, speaking with prospective franchisees in their own towns to get an even better understanding of the opportunities and potential for partnership.

For more information, visit https://camperofranchise.com/.