Pollo Campero, the fast-casual chicken franchise with 80-plus U.S. locations and another 270 around the world, has seen record-breaking sales increases over the past few years as chicken concepts become more popular than ever and more consumers are introduced to the brand’s unique menu and delicious offerings. Now, with a new expansion strategy in place, the Pollo Campero family is looking for passionate, qualified franchise owners to help the brand establish itself as one of the most dominant players in the $38 billion fast-casual chicken franchise segment. 

So, what are some of the main reasons entrepreneurs should invest in a Pollo Campero franchise?

“One of the main differences between us and other concepts is that we are a very successful, international brand that has been around since 1971,” said Director of Franchise Development Blas Escarcega. “We have legacy customers — Latin American customers who know the brand from our international footprint — in markets all over the country. We also have a growing U.S. consumer base. We are very proud of what we’ve been able to do as a 50-year brand, and consumers across the globe love Pollo Campero.”

In addition to a solid brand reputation, Escarcega says that consumer diversity is another big differentiator from a franchisee's perspective. “Our demographics are going in the right direction,” he said. “The country is becoming more Hispanic as more immigrants come to the U.S., so we have a good opportunity to not only service legacy customers but also those who are coming into the country now.” 

Additionally, Escarcega says the chicken category is one of the fastest-growing segments of the restaurant industry. 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.

And as chicken franchise brands boom in the U.S., Escarcega 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. 

“We have the best-tasting chicken, simply put,” Escarcega said. “Whether it be our fried chicken, grilled chicken, or empanadas — everything is unique, flavorful and delicious. We also continue to roll out new menu items, like our new spicy chicken sandwich. We offer something the whole family can enjoy.”

The Pollo Campero team is also 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. By building out its infrastructure and perfecting its business model, Escarcega says Pollo Campero has seen great success over the last five years, achieving $2.4 million in AUVs.

“We’ve been able to optimize a lot of our technology, delivery, drive-thru and take-out channels within the restaurant,” said Escarcega. “We’ve invested in our business model and our people, and that has allowed us to see record-breaking success over the past few years.”

Lastly, one of the most significant selling points for the Pollo Campero franchise is the wide open territory availability. While many other chicken concepts may be sold out, Pollo Campero has identified markets all over the country primed for growth, including North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arizona, North Florida, San Antonio and Texas border region. 

Looking ahead, Escarcega says Pollo Campero’s five-year plan is to reach 180 corporate units and 85 franchise locations — 265 overall by 2026. 

“We are open to new opportunities, and we are focused on finding a diverse array of new franchisees,” said Escarcega. “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 into one of the biggest chicken chains in the world.