El Pollo Loco Hired Two Executives for New York Expansion
The restaurant operator appointed a new COO and CDO to lead its upcoming 15-location push into New York.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in People
Live Poll
Does the expansion of national restaurant chains into your area benefit your local community?
El Pollo Loco has appointed Damon Thomas as chief operating officer and Tara Hinkle as chief development officer to drive its national growth strategy. The company is simultaneously launching an expansion into New York, where it plans to open 15 restaurants over the next five years.
Why it matters
The leadership additions come as the company seeks to build on three consecutive quarters of same-store sales growth. By scaling its team, El Pollo Loco aims to support a broader footprint after recently entering Idaho and now targeting the New York market.
El Pollo Loco plans to open 15 restaurants in New York over the next five years, expanding upon its existing network of over 500 locations. The expansion follows the company's recent entry into Idaho and reported same-store sales growth across three consecutive quarters.
The players
El Pollo Loco
A publicly traded restaurant chain specializing in fire-grilled chicken with over 500 locations across the United States.
Damon Thomas
The newly appointed chief operating officer tasked with driving operational excellence across the restaurant network.
Tara Hinkle
The newly appointed chief development officer bringing 20 years of experience to lead market expansion efforts.
The details
The company secured its 15-store expansion in New York through development agreements with one existing franchisee and two new partners. The new leadership team will focus on collaborating with these franchisees to optimize site selection and drive operational consistency. This rollout includes a planned location in Queens, with the first store scheduled to open by mid-2027.
Timeline
Tara Hinkle joined the company in July 2026.
El Pollo Loco announced the executive hires on September 29, 2026.
The first New York location is expected to open by mid-2027.
The company plans to complete the 15-restaurant expansion over the next five years.
Market Landscape
El Pollo Loco is aggressively scaling its presence in new territories to capitalize on consistent same-store sales growth. This expansion strategy follows the company's recent entry into Idaho, marking a shift toward broader geographic diversification.
Operators should monitor how the company integrates new franchisees into its existing operational model as it enters the New York market. Tracking the mid-2027 opening in Queens will provide a benchmark for the success of this regional expansion effort.
The takeaway
El Pollo Loco is leveraging sustained sales growth to fund an aggressive push into the New York market. Interested operators should track the company’s ability to maintain site-selection standards while onboarding new franchisees over the next five years.
Further reading
For more on industry leadership changes, visit the People section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Restaurant Dive.
Live Poll
Does the expansion of national restaurant chains into your area benefit your local community?
