Pollo Campero, the world’s largest Central American chicken franchise, is steadily expanding within the U.S., looking to have a total of 250 locations established in the country by 2026. With roots in Texas, the brand is now looking to grow San Antonio, El Paso and Rio Grande Valley, bringing better chicken to the commonly underserved Texas border towns.

“Texas continues to be the fastest-growing state,” explained Blas Escarcega, Director of Franchise Development at Pollo Campero. “We see an increase in legacy customers from Central America, and we recognize that the border area has a big influence from Mexican consumers who come to cities along the border, looking to spend their dollars on the U.S. side.”

Why Texas Is a Target

Escarcega explained that, during our target market development planning, the Pollo Campero team worked to identify areas where the brand presence can be reinvigorated rather than established from scratch.

The brand already has locations in Houston, Dallas and Austin and is ready to complement existing business with new developments. While business in Texas is booming, demographic data may not capture the economic potential of cross border areas which continue to be underserved.

The fast-food restaurant market in Texas alone is valued at over $34 billion and is expected to increase by an additional 7.3% in 2022. More recently, as travel restrictions were lifted and border crossings between the U.S. and Mexico reopened, many cities along the border saw substantial leaps in retail sales. In November of last year, Brownsville alone saw a 32% increase in retail sales.

“I’ve lived on the border for many years, and sometimes you don’t see the numbers showing up on the demographics because they live in Mexico, but our neighbors would always come and eat or shop at brands they don’t have back home,” Escarcega added. “Pollo Campero resonates well with all consumers, and we believe the Latin and Hispanic population will welcome the brand along the border. There is already a huge amount of traffic that goes between the two countries, and people are ready to taste new flavors.”

How Pollo Campero Supports Franchisees’ Success

The better-chicken brand was established on a foundation of carefully crafted food items and a unique chicken recipe. Though it started in Guatemala as a family-owned business, it has grown to become the world’s largest Central American chicken chain.

Now, as the brand is so well recognized, franchisees have access to a history of success, delicious flavor profile and well-established customer base to boost success in new markets.

As the brand continues to grow, Escarcega explained that it will maintain the Pollo Campero legacy while reaching out to impact even more consumers in the states.

“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.”

Initial investments range from $887,250 - $2,126,500*. For more information, visit: https://camperofranchise.com/

*To see the brand’s full reported financials, please reference Pollo Campero’s Franchise Disclosure Document (updated June 7, 2021). 

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 to one of the biggest chicken chains in the world.