El Pollo Loco Announces Winner of Favorite Flavor Election; Winning Flavor Proves That Any Time is Barbecue Time (10/00)

Just weeks away from the 2000 presidential vote, Irvine-based El Pollo Loco Monday announced the winner of its own election to determine America's favorite flavor of chicken from among flavors the chain has introduced in recent years.

The winning flavor, with 40% o the vote, was El Pollo Loco's Barbecue Chicken. Barbecue defeated flavorful contenders Chile Lime, Lemon Pepper, and Red Pepper Garlic.

Famous for its hand-marinated, flame-broiled chicken, El Pollo Loco has a reputation for introducing tasty flavors of its signature chicken. In a unique voting campaign, the Mexican chicken chain turned to the public to decide which of four popular flavors to bring back for a limited time this fall. During the two-week election, held Aug. 23 through Sept. 6, more than 68,000 chicken lovers casted their votes.

Last introduced in June of '99, El Pollo Loco's winning flavor is smothered in the chain's own barbecue sauce featuring a bold blend of tangy, sweet and smoky flavors and then flame-broiled to perfection.

"We've always believed that the flavor of barbecue has wide appeal all year long," said Margaret Jenkins, vice president of marketing for El Pollo Loco. "Based on the results of El Pollo Loco's favorite flavor election, it's clear that consumers think so too."

El Pollo Loco's Barbecue Chicken will be available in restaurants from Oct. 9 through Nov. 26, 2000. During this time, the chain's traditional flame-broiled chicken will also be available.

El Pollo Loco will communicate the winning flavor to consumers in both general and Hispanic markets through a television campaign beginning Oct. 16. General market commercials will continue the use of El Pollo Loco's catchy chicken dance theme, and Spanish language commercials will explore the amusing ways people enjoy El Pollo Loco's Barbecue Chicken. The commercials will appear as 15 and 30 second spots in select West Coast markets. The limited time offer will also be communicated to both general market and Hispanic consumers through 60 second radio commercials in select West coast markets.

El Pollo Loco Inc., a privately held company with headquarters in Irvine, is the nation's leading quick-service Restaurant chain specializing in marinated, flame-broiled chicken. In addition to individual and family meals featuring its famous flame-broiled chicken, El Pollo Loco offers a wide variety of Fresh Mex items including made-to-order burritos, Pollo Bowls®, Salad Bowls, tacos al carbon, tostada salads and hand-rolled taquitos. El Pollo Loco currently operates domestically 274 restaurants in four U.S. States -- California, Arizona, Nevada and Texas.