Queens, New York — El Pollo Loco is heading to New York City for the first time, bringing its fire-grilled chicken to the East Coast as the California-based chain prepares to open as many as 15 new locations across the city and surrounding market over the next five years.
The first restaurant is expected to open in Queens in mid-2027, marking a major expansion for the chain, which has built a following around its fire-grilled chicken and Mexican-inspired menu.
The company says the expansion comes as consumers increasingly look for protein-forward meals made with quality ingredients, while El Pollo Loco’s stock has also climbed more than 40% over the past year.
Queens Will Get the First New York Location
El Pollo Loco plans to make its New York debut in Queens, with the first location expected to open in mid-2027. The company has already secured its first New York lease and said additional restaurants will follow as part of a five-year expansion plan.
“New York represents an important milestone for El Pollo Loco and a clear proof point in our disciplined growth strategy,” said Liz Williams, CEO of El Pollo Loco. “With committed franchise partners and our first New York lease secured, we are excited to introduce the East Coast to the fire-grilled flavor and hospitality that have defined El Pollo Loco for five decades.”
For a chain that has historically been concentrated in the western United States, entering New York represents a significant geographic expansion.
From Mexico to California and Now New York
El Pollo Loco’s history stretches back to 1975, when the brand was founded in Mexico.
The company later opened its first U.S. restaurant in Los Angeles, helping establish the brand as a recognizable name in Southern California.
Today, El Pollo Loco operates more than 500 company-owned and franchised restaurants across 10 states. Its current footprint includes Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Utah and Washington.
New York would therefore represent a major step beyond the chain’s traditional western and southwestern markets.
The company believes its focus on grilled chicken and protein-heavy meals could help it connect with New York consumers as demand for chicken continues to grow across the fast-food industry.
Chicken Competition Is Heating Up
El Pollo Loco will not be entering an empty market. Major fast-food brands are increasingly expanding their chicken offerings as consumers look for alternatives to traditional beef-heavy menus.
McDonald’s is testing hand-breaded chicken products as it expands its poultry lineup. The company has already been selling hand-breaded chicken strips and sandwiches at select restaurants around the Chicago area and has also offered similar products in thousands of locations across Asia.
Jill McDonald, the company’s executive vice president, described hand-breaded chicken as “a significant opportunity to upgrade taste and quality.”
The push comes as elevated beef prices continue to influence fast-food menus and consumer choices.
Taco Bell Is Also Betting on Chicken
Taco Bell has also been expanding its chicken offerings in an effort to attract more customers.
The chain brought back its chicken nuggets in 2024, featuring all-white meat with a jalapeño buttermilk flavor and a coating made with tortilla chips and breadcrumbs.
The nuggets were introduced with several dipping options, including Bell Sauce, jalapeño honey mustard and a spicy ranch sauce created with Hidden Valley.
Taco Bell’s move toward chicken was partly aimed at attracting younger consumers while competing more directly with brands such as Chick-fil-A and McDonald’s.
Baby Girl’s Name Was Legally Changed Just Weeks After Birth—and Mom Says She Finally Felt Right
At a Yum Brands investor day in 2023, former Taco Bell CEO Mark King said, “large percentage of our business is beef, and the Gen Z consumer wants chicken.”
El Pollo Loco Targets a New Generation of Customers
El Pollo Loco’s upcoming New York expansion comes as competition for chicken-loving customers continues to intensify.
The chain will bring its fire-grilled chicken concept to Queens in 2027, before potentially expanding to 14 additional locations over the following years.
For New Yorkers who have never tried the California-based chain, the arrival could introduce a new fast-food option at a time when major restaurant brands are increasingly competing for consumers seeking affordable, flavorful and protein-focused meals.
The first Queens restaurant will be the clearest test yet of whether El Pollo Loco’s West Coast appeal can translate to the crowded New York market.
Would you try El Pollo Loco when it opens in Queens? If you’ve already eaten at the chain in California or another state, share your favorite menu item in the comments.
