El Pollo Loco linked to site for first Seattle-area restaurant

California's fast-growing Mexican chicken chain El Pollo Loco appears to have picked the site for its Seattle-area debut.

El Pollo Loco (Nasdaq: LOCO), known for its fire-grilled chicken, announced two years ago it would franchise four restaurants around the Seattle area. Last month, an LLC called NW Pollo Loco, affiliated with the franchisee, acquired a retail property at 10120 SE 256th St. in Kent for $2.6 million, per King County records.

When El Pollo Loco announced plans for four Washington restaurants in 2022, Kent was among the cities eyed for expansion, in addition to Tacoma, Federal Way and Puyallup. The restaurants will be operated by Jean-Paul Pirio, who also owns JP's Taproom and Grill in Kent, among other restaurants in the area.

It's unclear when the restaurant could open. Both Pirio and representatives for El Pollo Loco did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday.

https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2024/12/02/el-pollo-loco-restaurant-expansion-kent.html