Pollo Campero, the fast-casual chicken franchise with 85-plus U.S. locations and another 270 worldwide, has identified Tennessee as a target market for development and is seeking skilled franchise owners to lead expansion in the state. The brand has established a dominant footprint in the $40.6 billion fast-food chicken franchise segment. And with Tennessee being a hotspot for people looking to relocate from around the country, as well as having an increasingly diverse population, it makes a great investment opportunity for those looking to grow their portfolio.
“Tennessee is a regional play in the Southeast for us,” said Luis Javier Rodas, managing director and chief operating officer. “We love that area because economically, it is growing, and a great population influx is happening. Many industries are moving there, whether it is automotive or manufacturing — it is very business friendly.”
With that said, here are five reasons to buy a Pollo Campero franchise in Tennessee.
Blas Escarcega, Pollo Campero’s Director of Franchise Development, says that the brand sees Tennessee as an extension of the southeastern United States — where he says chicken consumption is higher than anywhere else.
“People love fried chicken, and they love that we are already in the space,” said Escarcega. “And our existing franchise base and corporate stores throughout the Southeast have been very successful. We’ve been able to grow the brand over the last five years but are doing even more in this area.”
Part of Pollo Campero’s success in the U.S. can be attributed to its dedicated legacy customer base. The brand prides itself on its historical heritage, food culture and family-oriented atmosphere. And, according to U.S. Census figures, the Hispanic population in Tennessee grew by 3.8% from 2020 to 2021, compared to .6% growth of the non-Hispanic white population in the same timeframe. By market, the percentage of the Latin American population in the state is highest in Memphis at 27.07%, followed by Chattanooga (26.06%), Nashville (16.64%) and Shelbyville (10.12%).
Pollo Campero currently has one franchisee in Nashville who has been very successful and is looking to build additional locations.
Pollo Campero’s high quality products make it stand out from others in the QSR chicken segment. “The Pollo Campero brand has been successful for many years, and the key to our success is really in the ingredients of our product,” Escarcega said.
The unique menu was designed to honor the brands’ origins in Central American cuisine while also creating a top-notch fried chicken. “We’re talking about marinated to the bone, slow-down-and-enjoy-every-bite chicken,” said Rodas. “A deep, rich and unique taste that can only be obtained by uniting the freshest ingredients with the best, complementary spices. It’s about combining generations of family recipes into the perfect, savory bite.”
When joining the Pollo Campero network, franchisees are guaranteed a high level of support. The team has created a robust center that offers support in everything from the real estate site selection process, marketing assistance, a thorough training program, a strong technology platform and more.
“We have invested heavily in our franchise structure in Dallas, where we support all our franchisees throughout the U.S.,” said Escarcega. “We want to make sure franchisees can get the training and tools necessary to make them successful. It's one thing to say, ‘we want you to do this,’ but it's another to ensure they have the tools and capabilities to succeed.”
During the franchise process, new owners will be taught about all things Pollo Campero. This includes the tools and technology utilized, the quality of the products, the different phases of managing a restaurant, how to ensure consistency and more.
After earning record U.S. sales throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Pollo Campero launched a strategy in 2021 to reach 250 restaurants across the U.S. over the next five years. The brand’s proven business model, loyal fanbase and experienced leadership team have continued to attract multi-unit, multi-brand franchisees in markets around the country.
Rodas noted Pollo Campero is inviting multi-unit operators to invest in the brand and lead the company in Tennessee and is targeting markets where they are confident they can reinvigorate the Pollo Campero brand presence and leverage established supply chains. In the state, Pollo Campero sees the potential to open about 15 new restaurants.
“Tennessee is really becoming one of those areas where a lot of people love to be, and we see it as a great opportunity for the Pollo Campero brand to continue to flourish,” said Escarcega.
Bringing Pollo Campero to a new market is exciting for the whole community. The concept originally won over its local community in Guatemala before growing to hundreds of locations throughout Central America, Italy, Spain and eventually the U.S. And customers are enthusiastic as ever.
Recently, Pollo Campero saw a record-breaking opening in Tennessee’s neighboring state of North Carolina. A new location in Raleigh saw over 700 guest transactions and 300 cars in the drive-thru per day during opening week.
“The first time I visited a Pollo Campero restaurant in the U.S., the line was around the block,” said Rodas. “When I started talking to the people waiting, they said, ‘Pollo Campero is like going home for us.’ There are many folks here from Guatemala and other Latin American countries. So, when you offer a product that this population grew up with, it’s a big deal to them. Our legacy customers spend a lot more money with us than with most other chicken brands."
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).
ABOUT POLLO CAMPERO:
Pollo Campero is a fast-casual restaurant chain focused on delighting guests with better-chicken offerings. Through its flavor and quality, Pollo Campero offers a unique and convenient feel-good eating experience for individual, group/family and catering occasions. Chicken entrees can be ordered either Campero Fried or Citrus-Grilled, bone-in or boneless and paired with an array of fresh sides, drinks and desserts for a complete meal. Pollo Campero started as a small family-owned restaurant in Guatemala in 1971 and has grown into one of the biggest chicken chains in the world.
Pollo Campero
SPONSORED
The world's largest Central American chicken franchise is looking to open at least 15 restaurants in the state. Here are five reasons why you should consider being a part of it.
Pollo Campero, the fast-casual chicken franchise with 85-plus U.S. locations and another 270 worldwide, has identified Tennessee as a target market for development and is seeking skilled franchise owners to lead expansion in the state. The brand has established a dominant footprint in the $40.6 billion fast-food chicken franchise segment. And with Tennessee being a hotspot for people looking to relocate from around the country, as well as having an increasingly diverse population, it makes a great investment opportunity for those looking to grow their portfolio.
“Tennessee is a regional play in the Southeast for us,” said Luis Javier Rodas, managing director and chief operating officer. “We love that area because economically, it is growing, and a great population influx is happening. Many industries are moving there, whether it is automotive or manufacturing — it is very business friendly.”
With that said, here are five reasons to buy a Pollo Campero franchise in Tennessee.
Blas Escarcega, Pollo Campero’s Director of Franchise Development, says that the brand sees Tennessee as an extension of the southeastern United States — where he says chicken consumption is higher than anywhere else.
“People love fried chicken, and they love that we are already in the space,” said Escarcega. “And our existing franchise base and corporate stores throughout the Southeast have been very successful. We’ve been able to grow the brand over the last five years but are doing even more in this area.”
Part of Pollo Campero’s success in the U.S. can be attributed to its dedicated legacy customer base. The brand prides itself on its historical heritage, food culture and family-oriented atmosphere. And, according to U.S. Census figures, the Hispanic population in Tennessee grew by 3.8% from 2020 to 2021, compared to .6% growth of the non-Hispanic white population in the same timeframe. By market, the percentage of the Latin American population in the state is highest in Memphis at 27.07%, followed by Chattanooga (26.06%), Nashville (16.64%) and Shelbyville (10.12%).
Pollo Campero currently has one franchisee in Nashville who has been very successful and is looking to build additional locations.
Pollo Campero’s high quality products make it stand out from others in the QSR chicken segment. “The Pollo Campero brand has been successful for many years, and the key to our success is really in the ingredients of our product,” Escarcega said.
The unique menu was designed to honor the brands’ origins in Central American cuisine while also creating a top-notch fried chicken. “We’re talking about marinated to the bone, slow-down-and-enjoy-every-bite chicken,” said Rodas. “A deep, rich and unique taste that can only be obtained by uniting the freshest ingredients with the best, complementary spices. It’s about combining generations of family recipes into the perfect, savory bite.”
When joining the Pollo Campero network, franchisees are guaranteed a high level of support. The team has created a robust center that offers support in everything from the real estate site selection process, marketing assistance, a thorough training program, a strong technology platform and more.
“We have invested heavily in our franchise structure in Dallas, where we support all our franchisees throughout the U.S.,” said Escarcega. “We want to make sure franchisees can get the training and tools necessary to make them successful. It's one thing to say, ‘we want you to do this,’ but it's another to ensure they have the tools and capabilities to succeed.”
During the franchise process, new owners will be taught about all things Pollo Campero. This includes the tools and technology utilized, the quality of the products, the different phases of managing a restaurant, how to ensure consistency and more.
After earning record U.S. sales throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Pollo Campero launched a strategy in 2021 to reach 250 restaurants across the U.S. over the next five years. The brand’s proven business model, loyal fanbase and experienced leadership team have continued to attract multi-unit, multi-brand franchisees in markets around the country.
Rodas noted Pollo Campero is inviting multi-unit operators to invest in the brand and lead the company in Tennessee and is targeting markets where they are confident they can reinvigorate the Pollo Campero brand presence and leverage established supply chains. In the state, Pollo Campero sees the potential to open about 15 new restaurants.
“Tennessee is really becoming one of those areas where a lot of people love to be, and we see it as a great opportunity for the Pollo Campero brand to continue to flourish,” said Escarcega.
Bringing Pollo Campero to a new market is exciting for the whole community. The concept originally won over its local community in Guatemala before growing to hundreds of locations throughout Central America, Italy, Spain and eventually the U.S. And customers are enthusiastic as ever.
Recently, Pollo Campero saw a record-breaking opening in Tennessee’s neighboring state of North Carolina. A new location in Raleigh saw over 700 guest transactions and 300 cars in the drive-thru per day during opening week.
“The first time I visited a Pollo Campero restaurant in the U.S., the line was around the block,” said Rodas. “When I started talking to the people waiting, they said, ‘Pollo Campero is like going home for us.’ There are many folks here from Guatemala and other Latin American countries. So, when you offer a product that this population grew up with, it’s a big deal to them. Our legacy customers spend a lot more money with us than with most other chicken brands."
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).
ABOUT POLLO CAMPERO:
Pollo Campero is a fast-casual restaurant chain focused on delighting guests with better-chicken offerings. Through its flavor and quality, Pollo Campero offers a unique and convenient feel-good eating experience for individual, group/family and catering occasions. Chicken entrees can be ordered either Campero Fried or Citrus-Grilled, bone-in or boneless and paired with an array of fresh sides, drinks and desserts for a complete meal. Pollo Campero started as a small family-owned restaurant in Guatemala in 1971 and has grown into one of the biggest chicken chains in the world.
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