Pollo Campero Targets Tennessee for Franchise Expansion
The world’s largest Central American chicken franchise is looking to open at least 15 restaurants in the state.
Pollo Campero, the fast-casual chicken franchise with 83 U.S. locations and another 270 worldwide, has established a dominant footprint in the $40.6 billion fast-food chicken franchise segment. The brand has identified Tennessee as its next target market for development and is seeking skilled franchise owners to lead expansion in the state.
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.”
Tennessee has grown more diverse, with new data showing that the state’s Hispanic and multi-racial populations are expanding faster than other racial and ethnic groups. According to U.S. Census figures, the Hispanic population 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.
Additionally, Tennessee has become a hotspot for those looking to move around the United States. It was ranked number eight among the top 10 states with the highest total population growth from 2020 to 2021.
“Tennessee is a regional play in the Southeast for us,” said Luis Javier Rodas, managing director and COO. “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.”
Rodas noted Pollo Campero is inviting multi-unit operators to invest in the brand and lead the company in Tennessee and lucrative markets nationwide. The franchise is also targeting markets where they are confident they can reinvigorate the Pollo Campero brand presence and leverage established supply chains.
In Tennessee, 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.
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 into one of the biggest chicken chains in the world.
*This brand is a paid partner of 1851 Franchise. For more information on paid partnerships please click here.