Food

Pollo Campero feels the need to Americanize

Pollo Campero, the Guatemalan fried-chicken chain, is Americanizing its menu with the addition of such familiar choices as tacos, empanadas and panini.

The franchisor cites the adjustment as a critical factor in expanding its U.S. presence.

The broadened bill of fare will be featured in a new Campero prototype that offers limited service, a la most fast-casual places, as well as beer and sangria. The stores measure 2,380 sq. ft. Prices will range from about $6 to $10 per meal, according to the chain.

“We believe this modern iteration will make us more accessible to a wider range of consumers across America,” says vice president of marketing Lisken Kastalanych.

Campero stresses that the new selections will be in addition to the chain’s current signatures, which include authentic Latino sides like sweet plaintains and Yuca.

The first outlet sporting the new menu and design is scheduled to debut in Houston later this more. Two more are already slated to open elsewhere in Texas. 

Members help make our journalism possible. Become a Restaurant Business member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.

Multimedia

Exclusive Content

Operations

Hitting resistance elsewhere, ghost kitchens and virtual concepts find a happy home in family dining

Reality Check: Old-guard chains are finding the alternative operations to be persistently effective side hustles.

Financing

The Tijuana Flats bankruptcy highlights the dangers of menu miscues

The Bottom Line: The fast-casual chain’s problems following new menu debuts in 2021 and 2022 show that adding new items isn’t always the right idea.

Financing

For Papa Johns, the CEO departure came at the wrong time

The Bottom Line: The pizza chain worked to convince franchisees to buy into a massive marketing shift. And then the brand’s CEO left.

Trending

More from our partners