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El Pollo Loco, the fire-grilled chicken chain, is eyeing The Mile High City as part of its next wave of expansion.

The chain is planning on opening 10 to 15 restaurants in the Denver metro area. Moreover, there will be as many as five others in the Colorado Springs area over the next five years.

El Pollo Loco Will Give Jobs to a Lot of People

As many as 50 people would be employed by each Colorado restaurant, said the company said in a statement.

Colorado Expansion

Therefore, the Colorado expansion, the restaurant chain saying, is part of a plan to open 140 new locations throughout the Western United States by 2026. Moreover, El Pollo Loco currently operates 478 locations in Arizona, California, Nevada, Texas, Utah, and Louisiana.

Growing the Footprint

“We want to offer handcrafted Mexican entrees and an assortment of healthy offerings to new communities,” said El Pollo Chief Development Officer Brian Carmichall. “We are excited to grow our footprint and bring El Pollo Loco’s signature chicken.

“Moreover, the expansion announcement and upcoming unit growth are sure to cater to the growing number of consumers. They are looking for healthier options; consumers’ burgeoning demand for bolder, spicier flavors; and experiencing franchise owners with the desire to be part of a strong franchisee family.”

“An innovative blend of traditional Mexican cuisine and better-for-you eating is what Los Angeles is known for,” this is according to a release.

El Pollo Loco is Almost 50 Years Old!

However, the expansion of the nearly 50-year-old El Pollo Loco will be driving by two recently-unveiled prototype designs.

New Prototype Designs

Moreover, there is one version that has no indoor dining room. It instead should cater to off-premise sales with a take-out window. However, there is a dual drive-thru. Also parking for curbside pickup and patio seating. In the second prototype, there will be a smaller-than-typical dining room. Therefore, that opens up to a broad patio.