El Pollo Loco

Consumer Trends

Plant-based menu items impact restaurant choice

Meat alternatives are playing a bigger role in brand loyalty as a result of the pandemic.

Operations

El Pollo Loco turns to drive-thru improvements to boost traffic

The fast-casual chicken chain is plotting handheld menu offerings while also working on drive-thru speed and accuracy.

Beyond Fried Chicken is on menus starting Monday.

The drive-thru now makes up more than 70% of the chicken chain’s sales, though same-store sales remain down by double digits due to the coronavirus.

The fast-casual chicken chain is also reimagining its marketing and menuing plans.

Menu news of the week: 3.2.20

On-trend bowls are proliferating on menus to entice post-holiday customers.

Chefs and operators are busy this week gearing up for the season.

September was the fast-casual chain’s best month of the year as it works to expand delivery capabilities and operational efficiencies.

WKS now operates 287 restaurants in total and ranks as Denny’s largest licensee.

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