5 Reasons Why You Should Become One of Pollo Campero’s First Alabama Franchisees

Pollo Campero, the fast-casual chicken franchise with 85-plus U.S. locations and another 270 worldwide, has identified Alabama as a prime market for franchise expansion. The brand plans to use the state’s flourishing economic landscape, as well as unmet demand, to continue to establish itself as one of the most dominant players in the $40.6 billion fast-food chicken franchise segment.

The Pollo Campero team looks to add new franchise units in Alabama in 2023. Although the state does not currently have any Pollo Campero locations, many neighboring states have already established restaurants, including Tennessee, Florida and Georgia. Escarcega says the team looks to reinvigorate the Pollo Campero brand presence in areas where there is untapped potential. 

“In addition to targeting existing bases in good markets, we also look at consumers and their eating habits,” said Blas Escarcega, Pollo Campero’s Director of Franchise Development. “For example, the markets we are looking at in the Southeast, such as Alabama, have a higher-than-average consumption of chicken. That is why there is such a high concentration of chicken concepts in the Southeast — people love chicken, fried in particular. It really transcends demographics. Everyone just loves chicken in the Southeast, and nobody does chicken like Pollo Campero.” 

For prospective owners ready to make Pollo Campero a favorite among Alabama consumers, here are five reasons to consider investing. 

Loyal Customers 

Pollo Campero customers are dedicated to the brand. The brand already has a dedicated Latin and Central American customer base while continuing to attract new repeat customers.  

As the world’s largest Central American chicken franchise, a diverse customer base is ideal for Pollo Campero, which is a major favorite amongst international customers. And Alabama’s demographics are primed for Pollo Campero. Census data shows that the population of Hispanic and Latino residents has grown exponentially over the past two decades, including a 144.8% increase between 2000–2010 and a 42.3% increase between 2010-2020. 

“We have legacy customers — Latin American customers who know the brand from our international footprint — in markets all over the country, and those were the markets we traditionally focused on,” said Escarcega. “Now, what has happened is that we’ve expanded that legacy customer base and realized that the brand has legs to reach more mainstream consumers in the U.S. We want to maintain the legacy piece while also bringing the opportunity to new customers and developing around the existing markets that we have.”

A Stand-Out Menu

Pollo Campero’s top-notch, unique menu speaks for itself, and Escarcega says the brand’s ingredients have been the key to success. The menu includes high-quality chicken products while honoring the brand’s origins in Central American cuisine.

“We have been able to occupy a space in our category with only a few players that directly compete with our offerings,”  said Rodas. “There are plenty of fried-chicken-on-the-bone players who compete on price, and you have both fried-only competitors and grilled-only competitors. But at Pollo Campero, we offer better chicken offerings in both fried and grilled formats, chicken on the bone and boneless, for a variety of occasions, and that makes us unique.”

Unmatched Corporate Support

One perk franchisees in Alabama, and everywhere, can expect is an unrivaled level of support from the Pollo Campero team. Because the brand has invested heavily in a support structure in Dallas, where Pollo Campero supports all franchisees throughout the U.S., owners can get the training and tools necessary to be successful.

Part of that support is understanding the history that comes with the brand. “It really sets franchisees up for success because we spend the time to ensure they understand the brand intimately,” said Escarcega. “It's one thing to sell a product, but you have to understand the history, the culture and the nostalgic appeal that it has. We want them to be responsible franchise partners so the brand can be protected from a quality assurance perspective.” 

Be Part of Massive U.S. Expansion

Pollo Campero has continued to attract multi-unit, multi-brand franchisees in markets around the country. Escarcega says Pollo Campero ended 2022 with 80-plus total restaurant units in the U.S., including 75 corporate stores and 11 franchise units. Now, he says the five-year plan is to reach 180 corporate units and 85 franchise locations. 

“The past few years have been incredible for Pollo Campero, and our franchise concept is all about allowing new customers to try an incredible product,” said Luis Javier Rodas, Managing Director and COO. “Now, as we move forward with a strategic growth mindset, we are eager to bring Pollo Campero to more communities by partnering with qualified franchisees who can build locally-owned businesses they can be proud of.”

Become a Hero in Your Community 

When franchisees bring Pollo Campero to a new market, it’s exciting for the whole community. After winning over its local community in Guatemala, the brand expanded to hundreds of locations throughout Latin America, Italy, Spain and eventually the United States. And customers have fallen in love with the brand. 

“Pollo Campero enjoys a loyal following among the U.S. Hispanic population,” said Rodas. “Not only is our family-centric story impactful for them, our nostalgic food brings them right back to the kitchens where they grew up, eating the kind of nourishing, home-cooked meals that evoke a powerful, multi-sensory memory of family.” 

By being among the first to bring Pollo Campero to Alabama, new franchisees will be a hero to their whole community. 

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.