El Pollo Loco plans first New York City restaurant in Queens as part of national expansion
El Pollo Loco plans to open its first New York City restaurant in Queens next year, marking a strategic step toward national scale.
Finance Reporter
NEW YORK — El Pollo Loco plans to open its first New York City restaurant next year in Queens, marking a geographic expansion as the company pursues its goal of becoming a national chicken chain, according to a report published on Sept. 29, 2026, by CNBC Retail.
Strategic Context
The planned Queens location represents a step into the Northeast market for the grilled chicken chain. Historically concentrated in the Western United States, the brand has operated primarily as a regional footprint while evaluating paths toward broader national scale. Entering New York City places the company into a high-density urban retail environment characterized by high commercial real estate costs, distinct local operating logistics, and intense competition within the quick-service restaurant sector.
Forward Outlook
Operators and allocators tracking the expansion will monitor the execution of the Queens unit next year to gauge how the brand's supply chain, unit economics, and customer acquisition model translate outside its core Western markets. The success of the New York rollout is expected to inform the pace and viability of subsequent regional growth as the company tests its operational readiness for national scale.
Priya Nair
Finance Reporter
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