El Pollo Loco franchise
El Pollo Loco is a quick-service chain serving Mexican-style chicken marinated in citrus and grilled over an open flame, along with burritos, bowls and sides. Most restaurants are in California and the Southwest. At the end of 2025 there were 503 El Pollo Loco locations in the US, 328 franchised and 175 company-owned.
- Cost to open
- $794K–$2.69M
- Franchise fee
- $40,000
- Royalty
- 5%
- Locations, 2025
- 503
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Company snapshot
- Franchisor based in
- Costa Mesa, California
- Time to open
- 9 to 12 months after signing
- Agreement length
- 20 years
- Territory
- No exclusive territory
- Financing
- Introductions to lenders
From El Pollo Loco, Inc’s 2026 filing.
How much a El Pollo Loco franchise costs
Opening one El Pollo Loco restaurant costs an estimated $793,750 to $2,685,500. That covers the franchise fee and everything else needed to open, through the first months of working capital.
Source: El Pollo Loco, Inc, 2026 filing, page 33
El Pollo Loco franchise fee
The franchise fee is $40,000, per restaurant ($30,000 for later restaurants under a development agreement). You pay it when you sign the franchise agreement.
Source: El Pollo Loco, Inc, 2026 filing, page 15
Royalty and ongoing fees
| Royalty | 5% of monthly net sales, paid monthly. |
|---|---|
| Brand or marketing fund | 5% of monthly net sales (4% in the Los Angeles market). |
Source: El Pollo Loco, Inc, 2026 filing, page 19
Sales and earnings
Shares figures El Pollo Loco publishes sales or earnings figures for its locations: it reports fiscal 2025 results for company and franchised restaurants open the full year. The full tables, with notes on which locations are counted, are in its filing.
Source: El Pollo Loco, Inc, 2026 filing, page 85
Locations opened and closed
| Year | Franchised | Company-owned |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 323 (+21) | 172 |
| 2024 | 325 (+2) | 173 |
| 2025 | 328 (+3) | 175 |
Closed or left counts terminations, non-renewals, locations bought back by the franchisor and locations that stopped operating.
Source: El Pollo Loco, Inc, 2026 filing, page 91
How El Pollo Loco compares
Of the 11 chicken franchises on this site, El Pollo Loco is the 2nd cheapest to open and the 8th largest by number of locations.
| Measure | El Pollo Loco | Typical chicken |
|---|---|---|
| Cost to open, low end | $794K | $1.45M |
| Royalty | 5% | 5% |
| Change in franchised locations, 0 yrs | +8.6% | +8.6% |
| Shares earnings figures | Yes | 9 of 11 |
Typical is the median across the 11 brands in chicken franchises.
Other chicken franchises
El Pollo Loco franchise questions
How long does it take to open a El Pollo Loco?
9 to 12 months after signing, according to El Pollo Loco's 2026 filing. Finding a site, permits and build-out are what usually stretch it.
Does El Pollo Loco help with financing?
Not directly. El Pollo Loco points buyers to outside lenders it works with, but the loan is between you and the lender.
Do El Pollo Loco franchisees get a protected territory?
No. El Pollo Loco grants the right to run one location but no exclusive area, so another El Pollo Loco can open nearby.
How long is a El Pollo Loco franchise agreement?
The initial term is 20 years. Renewal is usually possible if you're in good standing, often for a fee and a remodel.
How does El Pollo Loco compare with other chicken franchises?
Of the 11 chicken franchises here, El Pollo Loco is the 2nd cheapest to open (low end $794K against a $1.45M median) and the 8th largest by number of locations. Its 5% royalty is in line with the 5% median.
Does El Pollo Loco say how much franchisees make?
Yes: it reports fiscal 2025 results for company and franchised restaurants open the full year. Your results can differ; the filing explains which locations are counted.
Where is El Pollo Loco based?
El Pollo Loco, Inc is based in Costa Mesa, California.