El Pollo Loco pulls back on Chicago expansion

In 2004, El Pollo Loco announced its plans for a national expansion, including entry into the Chicago market. Now, The Sun Times reports that two of the chain's three stores there have closed recently, possibly putting the brakes on the company's plans for growth in the market.

Franchisee ABE Holdings LLC had previously signed a deal to open 18 stores in the Chicago area in addition to the company's plans for another 12. The company previously took over two of those franchise stores in 2007 and closed them in 2008.

Read more;

EPL Intermediate, Inc. (El Pollo Loco) Announces Results for the 13 Weeks and 26 Weeks Ended June 30, 2009

El Pollo Loco reported operating revenue for the 13-week second quarter ended June 30, 2009 of $72.7 million, which is a decrease of $3.7 million, or 4.9%, below operating revenue for the 13-week quarter ended June 30, 2008 of $76.4 million. Operating revenue includes sales at company-operated stores and franchise revenue. The decrease in company-operated restaurant revenue was primarily attributed to a 7.0% decrease in company-operated same-store sales for the second quarter of 2009 compared to the second quarter of 2008 and lost sales of $0.5 million from the closure of three company-operated restaurants in 2008. The decrease was partially offset by an increase in restaurant revenue of $1.8 million from nine restaurants opened in 2008 and by $0.6 million generated from two restaurants opened in 2009.

Read more:
http://www.elpolloloco.com/pdfs/EPL_Earnings_Q12009.pdf