Why 2022 is the Right Time to Invest in Pollo Campero

Pollo Campero, the fast-casual chicken franchise with 80-plus U.S. locations and another 270 around the world, has a bright future ahead. Pollo Campero has seen record-breaking sales increases over the past few years as chicken concepts become more popular than ever and more and more consumers are introduced to the brand’s unique menu and delicious offerings. Now, with a new expansion strategy in place, the time has never been better to join the Pollo Campero family and help the brand establish itself as one of the most dominant players in the $38 billion fast-casual chicken franchise segment. 

“I truly believe that this is the right moment for anyone looking to join the Pollo Campero brand,” said Luis Javier Rodas (LJ), Managing Director and COO. “There are several exciting factors that have come together to usher in a new era for the brand.”

For one, Rodas says the team has identified several prime available markets including Arizona, North Florida, Louisiana, Georgia, Tennessee and the Carolinas. “These markets will not be available for much longer,” he said. “Many other QSR brands are sold out in these markets or are not looking to sign new franchisees. But we believe in our brand and we know that the opportunity for growth is there. We want as many investors to join us in that growth as possible.”

Additionally, chicken is big business right now. According to the National Chicken Council, nine out of every 10 customers purchase chicken regularly, and every year, Americans consume more than 65 billion chickens. Consumer Affairs reported in an article titled, “Chicken Envy is Alive and Well in the Fast Food Industry,” that chicken franchises are not only growing faster than other concepts like burgers and pizza, but they also offer a far more stable investment.

And as chicken franchise brands boom in the U.S., Rodas says the Pollo Campero concept offers franchisees an opportunity to tap into a proven menu unlike anything else in the category. Pollo Campero has curated a devoted fan base by celebrating diversity and the beauty of melding tastes by offering a melting pot of Latin American and U.S. flavors, including everything from classic fried chicken and empanadas to corn salad and sweet plantains. 

Now, the brand’s 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. 

The Pollo Campero team is looking to expand that established fan base by growing in concentric circles around its successful markets.

“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,” Director of Franchise Development Blas Escarcega said. “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.”

Looking ahead, Escarcega says Pollo Campero’s five-year plan is to reach 180 corporate units, 85 franchise locations and 10 to 20 ghost kitchens — 250 overall by 2026. 

To encourage this growth, the Pollo Campero team is heavily dedicated to the ongoing success of franchise owners, offering support in everything from real estate site selection, marketing assistance, an in-depth training program, a robust technology platform and more. With all of this support, Pollo Campero franchisees don’t need to have prior business ownership experience, they can rely on a comprehensive training and support platform based on decades of experience in opening hundreds of locations around the world.

“We are very proud of what we’ve been able to do as a 50-year brand,” said Escarcega. “Now, we are open to new opportunities and we are focused on finding a diverse array of new franchisees. We know that franchisees come from all walks of life, and we believe that the Pollo Campero brand is number one. If you are a franchisee prospect who shares our passion for the brand, it has never been a better time to invest. We are setting ourselves apart in the booming chicken category and we are eager to bring Pollo Campero to more communities by welcoming new franchisees to the family.”

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.