FLAVORFUL HISTORY, FAST GROWTH: OWN A THRIVING CENTRAL AMERICAN CHICKEN FRANCHISE IN THE U.S.

Pollo Campero started in Guatemala in 1971, and now 50 years later, its dedication to high quality and flavorful chicken recipes hasn’t changed. Now, 20 years after successfully launching in the U.S. and building primarily corporate restaurants, Pollo Campero has proven its concept works, and demand for its food is larger than ever. 

“The growth potential of Pollo Campero is really exciting,” said Blas Escarcega, director of finance and administration with Pollo Campero. “We’re in a great position right now. The brand  has been experiencing same-store sales growth the last four years, which is really due to our focus on service, our new business model — which has been extremely profitable for all of us — and the fact that when a customer puts our food in their mouth, they love it. There’s a passion behind this brand. The restaurants that are in the United States are performing very well, and we’ve taken great care to build a team capable of supporting the level of franchise investment that’s necessary to grow the brand. It’s a very exciting time to be a part of Pollo Campero.” 

As a result of Pollo Campero’s simplified business model and innovative menu, the fast-service restaurant has gained a huge crossover audience. After four years of same-store sales increases, entrepreneurs are rushing to join a brand that’s delivering something different.

Not all chicken franchise brands are created equal. Few brands have the legacy, flavor profile, built-in customer base and proven ability to enter new markets with ease like Pollo Campero.

Pollo Campero’s crossover appeal is a big win for its franchise owners. Its exceptional brand recognition from consumers with ties to Latin America, and its flavor accessibility to those without,  is a strong differentiator as the franchise ramps up in the U.S., where Hispanic people are projected to reach 30% of the total population by 2050. 

Franchise owners won’t have to start fresh with their customer base. They’ll have the ability to make sales immediately upon opening and expand on their existing customer base. 

“The demographics of Pollo Campero have changed,” said Fernando Palarea, director of sourcing and supply chain with Pollo Campero. “Yes, you have our legacy customers who will drive hours to Pollo Campero, but the reality is we’ve seen more of this crossover consumer than ever before. This is anyone from Hispanic consumers who didn’t grow up with the brand but understand what we are, to other demographics who might not even be able to pronounce the name! When they finally try it, they say, ‘This is so unique, and I’ve been eating fried chicken all my life, but I’ve never had anything like this before.’ We’ve done a lot of innovating to ensure that we can attend to the expectations and needs of guests from all over – and we’ve surprised ourselves. We thought it might be limiting to be a Latin brand, but we’re much broader than what we expected. If you’re a true chicken lover, you will fall in love with the product, and you will come again and again because the reality is so huge.”

Nine out of 10 customers purchase chicken regularly, according to the National Chicken Council, and Americans consume more than 65 billion chickens every year. 

According to IBISWorld.com, the fast food chicken restaurants industry has grown to $59.4 billion in 2023.

Chicken is outpacing every other category in the quick-service restaurant industry. It’s even surpassing American mainstays like pizza and burgers. 

The market size of the Fast Food Chicken Restaurants industry in the US has grown 8.1% per year on average between 2018 and 2023. Chicken franchises are growing at a faster rate than other concepts, and they’re a far more stable investment.

Pollo Campero wants savvy entrepreneurs to help bring their restaurants to new markets. Potential investors should be financially qualified and a good cultural fit with the drive to follow Pollo Campero’s proven business model and share the experience with the community in their chosen territory. 

Franchise owners should share Pollo Campero’s core family values and commitment to community, serving others and giving back. Pollo Campero franchisees are exceptional leaders for their teams who always treat customers and staff with kindness and respect. 

Franchisee Richard Summers points to three overarching reasons for his multi-unit success with Pollo Campero: Passion, people and profitability. 

“There’s a passion for this brand in the U.S. that’s really catching on,” Summers said. “Pollo Campero internationally is well-known, especially in Central and South America, as the only brand that sells both grilled chicken and fried chicken on the bone. So we have a loyalty from the Central American people, particularly, that is phenomenal. It’s a crazy phenomenon that I didn't understand until I saw it with my own eyes.” 

Summers pointed to the brand’s Dallas team, which runs U.S. operations. 

“They have an in-depth understanding of the brand and how to communicate with franchisees,” he said. “I'm on the national advisory council, and we have open forums with the leadership from time to time to bounce around ideas. That's been great. The people element was a big draw for me and my wife.” 

Finally, Summers said Pollo Campero’s profitability sets it apart. 

“This brand has the ability to produce sales on par with any of the best QSRs,” he said. “The business model also really works for us. My wife runs the operational part of the business, and I run the financial side. The quality control is very high, and we work hard to keep it to that standard.”

Over the past few years, Pollo Campero has optimized its business model, innovated the menu and expanded its support infrastructure. This franchisee-forward approach, along with the brand’s rabid fanbase, allowed Pollo Campero to see an impressive four consecutive years of same-store sales increases, including a record-breaking year in 2020, despite the challenges of the pandemic.

Initial investments range from $1,554,650-$3,750,500*. For more information, visit https://camperofranchise.com/.

*To see the brand’s full reported financials, please reference Pollo Campero’s 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document.