El Pollo Loco vs WINGMAN WINGS Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of El Pollo Loco vs WINGMAN WINGS including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Company Overviews

About El Pollo Loco

In 1975, Juan Ochoa opened a roadside chicken stand in Guasace, Mexico, he called El Pollo Loco. Ochoa served chicken the same way his mother did, hand-marinating using an old family recipe and flame-broiling. The stand quickly grew in popularity, and over the next four years, Ochoa's family opened 85 restaurants in Northern Mexico. The chain moved into the United States in 1980 with the first restaurant opening on Alvarado Street in Los Angeles, California. El Pollo Loco featured an authentic recipe of fresh chicken marinated in special herbs, spices and citrus juices, and then fire-grilled to perfection. The restaurant quickly became a local favorite. Over the years, El Pollo Loco has added tacos, burritos and salads to its menu, all featuring the Ochoa family's chicken. In 1995, the chain entered into a joint venture with Foster's Freeze to offer soft-serve treats at El Pollo Loco restaurants. Today, the tradition continues with signature dishes that satisfy consumers’ desire for flavorful food that fits well with today's active lifestyles. We're currently fire-grilling marinated chicken in about 400 company and franchise-owned El Pollo Loco restaurants.

Franchise fees apply to new and existing franchisees with multi-unit development agreements in new markets through March 31, 2018. The initial franchise fee has been cut to $30,000 for the first restaurant and $20,000 for each additional restaurant. The standard franchise fee is $40,000, and $30,000 for secondary units. The initial franchise fee for any restaurant opened in the calendar year ahead of the year in their development schedule will be cut by 50%. And any restaurants opened beyond the multi-development agreement will be eligible for a zero dollar initial franchise fee. Royalty fees have also been reduced for the first time in three years: 2% for the first year, 3% in the second year, and 4% in the third year. The standard royalty fee is 5%.

About WINGMAN WINGS

The original owners of what is now Wingman came to Colorado from New York. They found everything to their liking except for one thing. No "Buffalo-Style" chicken wings! Knowing that Colorado residents would come to love wings every bit as much as they did, they decided to open their own restaurant in 1981. Despite some doubt that a single item restaurant could make it, they opened their restaurant in Northglenn, Colorado and everyone loved it. Karl Kigerl and Joe Martin, the current owners, purchased the restaurant in 1992. After years of perfecting the perfect wing and sauce, Karl and Joe knew that the rest of Colorado and possibly the nation would need their "wing fix" and that Wingman was the only place to get it. They knew that the only way to get the word out is to open more Wingman restaurants. During the years it took to get the franchise package togther, Wingman Sauce became a fixture at the dinner table. People could get a bottle of Wingman sauce at the local grocery store or order it over the internet People can now get bottles of Wingman Sauce from their local Wingman fran�chisee. Now, Wingman is soaring to new heights. As a family friendly restaurant specializing in "Buffalo Style" wings, Wingman offers variety to our guests. From 10 wings to 10,000 wings, Wingman fills the bill at the dinner table or becomes the life of the party.