Top 3 Reasons to Franchise with Pollo Campero

Pollo Campero, boasting more than 80 U.S. locations and another 270 around the world, began in Guatemala as a family-owned business with a carefully crafted menu and unique chicken recipe. The concept caught on quickly and won a seat on the family table of thousands, weaving itself into the regional cultural and culinary landscape while becoming the world's largest Latin American chicken chain. 

The crossover appeal is a huge 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. 

And with the momentum that this chicken franchise has going, Pollo Campero's Managing Director & COO Luis Javier Rodas (LJ), and Senior Director of Operations Fernando Perez believe now is a great time to join the franchise, and have some insights to share with potential investors as to why.

Get Ahead of the Momentum

Rodas conveyed that chicken has momentum and that, more specifically, Pollo Campero has momentum. He continued to state that to be innovative, you have to get ahead of the momentum. 

“The momentum that chicken has in general is great, but the momentum we have is even greater,” he said. “We are almost closing up our ninth-consecutive year of positive same-store sales growth. Our average unit volumes are hitting all-time highs.”

Rodas recalled how 2020 was a tough year for the industry but also how the franchise came out stronger and better for it. Pollo Campero maintained record U.S. sales, including 25% year-over-year sales growth, throughout the pandemic and launched a new strategy to reach 250 restaurants across the U.S. over the next five years, making it one of the dominant players in the $38 billion fast-food chicken franchise segment. As it embarks on this ambitious expansion effort, the brand is leveraging a proven business model, loyal fanbase and experienced leadership team to attract multi-unit, multi-brand franchisees in markets around the country, starting with Arizona, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee.

So far, 2021 has been the best year to date, and the following years will have more people enjoying more Pollo Campero chicken. Success of this brand is reflected in its impressive projection: In the next five years, 10 to 15 locations will open in North Florida; 25 locations throughout the state of Georgia; 10 to 15 locations throughout the Carolinas; and 20 locations in Arizona.

Not Just Any Chicken Chain 

Pollo Campero has carved a relevant space in a popular category. Their chicken offers not just convenience, but flavor and quality. It’s uniquely positioned from all the other chains that offer chicken in that there’s a “feel-good” aspect to eating each item from the menu.

“The chicken makes our offerings extremely relevant to groups and families by not only being super accessible but also fueled by quality and passion that really sort of delivers an elevated food experience, both from how it tastes but also how good you feel about eating it,” said Rodas. “I don't think anyone is near where we are from that perspective.”

The menu offers a guilt-free, balanced menu, so consumers don’t have to feel the associated guilt that often comes with eating fast food. Pollo Campero is positioned in a niche that few others are in. The business offers the approach of  “homemade food without cooking it yourself,” but they are able to produce at a great quantity while adhering to that quality. 

Unmatched Franchisee Support from Corporate

Rodas and Perez agreed that for the franchisee interested in investing with Pollo Campero, values must be aligned. Pollo Campero offers a strong, holistic approach to supporting its franchisees on all levels from daily operations to big-picture growth goals. 

“We're trying to help them in any way possible, not just in processes in the restaurant but also helping them to understand financials, how to hire people, how to reduce the turnover rate, how to control the cost of goods,” Perez said. “So that way they can be more successful. So we have a very strong plan of support.” 

Rodas added that, with the franchisee using his or her marketing expertise to grow the brand’s traction in whichever local market the franchise is in, corporate will join and support. Corporate’s support for its franchisees shows, as U.S. investors are pouring into the brand after its many years of success abroad. 

“Pollo Campero has a long history in terms of being expert restaurant operators and brand managers, and so we've sort of been crafting this, I would say, superior investment opportunity for potential franchisees,” Rodas said. “And right now, there's just so much room to grow in the U.S., and we've been crafting it to a limited extent here in the U.S. — and we’ve been abroad for many years. And so now we're at a point where there's just a lot of room to grow.”

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.