El Pollo Loco® Fires Up Culinary Innovation with Five New Menu Tests
Rhea-AI Summary
El Pollo Loco (NASDAQ: LOCO) is testing five new menu items across ~60 restaurants in California and Utah from now through late April 2026. The tests include Honey Chipotle BBQ meals, Loco Tenders, Loaded Quesadillas, a Crispy Grilled Chicken Sandwich, and Horchata coffee drinks.
The company said these market tests support its 2026 focus on culinary innovation, guest variety, and iterative feedback; eight more menu tests are planned later in 2026.
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News Market Reaction – LOCO
On the day this news was published, LOCO gained 0.27%, reflecting a mild positive market reaction.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
LOCO gained 0.54% while peers were mixed: JACK -0.46%, RICK +3.16%, DIN +0.71%, NATH -0.06%, PTLO -1.71%. Moves do not show a clear, unified sector trend.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 25 | Earnings call scheduling | Neutral | +1.8% | Set date and time for Q4 and full-year 2025 earnings call. |
| Feb 24 | Menu launch | Positive | +1.0% | Introduced Protein Packed Menu with 24 high-protein items under $15. |
| Feb 10 | Limited-time menu | Positive | -0.1% | Added Baja Double Tostadas and Baja Shrimp Tacos as limited-time items. |
| Jan 28 | Board change | Neutral | -3.2% | Appointed Domino’s executive Frank Garrido to Board after prior director retired. |
| Jan 20 | Marketing partnership | Positive | -2.4% | Launched “Bring the Fire” contest with WNBA player to aid school sports teams. |
Recent brand and menu announcements often saw modest positive or mixed price reactions, with some positive news followed by downside moves.
Over the last few months, LOCO has focused on brand-building, menu innovation, and governance changes. A January 20 partnership to support school sports and the February 24 Protein Packed Menu launch highlighted marketing and product initiatives, while a February 10 limited-time Baja Double Tostadas launch extended menu variety. Board refresh actions on January 28 and the upcoming March 12, 2026 earnings date frame governance and financial visibility. Today’s new menu test program continues this emphasis on product experimentation and brand engagement.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement highlights LOCO’s push to accelerate culinary innovation in 2026, with five new items testing across approximately 60 restaurants and plans for eight more tests later in the year. It builds on earlier protein-focused and Baja menu launches, underscoring a strategy centered on variety and flavor platforms. Investors may watch for guest feedback, conversion of tests into permanent offerings, and how these initiatives flow through to upcoming results, including the scheduled March 2026 earnings update.
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
A bold lineup of entrées, beverages, and handhelds are being tested in approximately 60 restaurant locations
COSTA MESA, Calif., March 05, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- El Pollo Loco, the nation's leading fire-grilled chicken restaurant chain, today announced it is testing five new menu innovations across approximately 60 restaurants, including locations in California and Utah. These market tests, running now through late April, reflect the brand’s commitment to expanding flavor exploration, enhancing guest variety, and accelerating menu innovation in 2026.
“The ‘Let’s Get Loco®’ rebrand last year wasn’t just a call to action for consumers,” said Jill Adams, CMO of El Pollo Loco. “It’s also a mantra for our internal teams to push the boundaries, test the limits and deliver truly unique culinary innovation to our customers in a way that only El Pollo Loco can.”
The market test products include a mix of bold entrées, handhelds, beverages, and potential future platforms designed to meet evolving customer cravings. The items currently in‑market or entering the test phase this month include:
- Honey Chipotle BBQ: Our famous, citrus-marinated, fire-grilled chicken tossed in our new Honey Chipotle BBQ sauce for a sweet, smoky and slightly spicy kick. Served with our new BBQ Black Beans, Cole Slaw and King’s Hawaiian® Original Sweet Rolls. Available in 2 pc or 10pc meals.
- Loco Tenders™: Crispy
100% all white meat chicken tenders fried to perfection and seasoned in bold Mexican spices. Served with a choice of dipping sauces: Baja Lime, Pollo Loco Sauce™ or House Ranch. Also available in Classic. - Loaded Quesadillas: A warm flour tortilla loaded with citrus-marinated, fire-grilled chopped chicken breast, a generous portion of melted Jack cheese that is wrapped to seal in all the flavors and grilled until toasted for maximum portability. Available in two flavors: Queso with our delicious queso blanco, crunchy tortilla strips and our signature creamy cilantro sauce, or Street Corn with corn and red peppers, crumbled cotija cheese and our signature creamy chipotle sauce.
- Crispy Grilled Chicken Sandwich: A crispy, breaded chicken breast filet, grilled to crispy perfection and topped with our signature Pollo Loco Sauce™ and house slaw, served on a toasted bun.
- Horchata Coffee Drinks: Classic Horchata with an iced coffee twist. Made with iced coffee and our sweet & creamy Mexican-style Horchata, flavored with cinnamon and vanilla, choose from the classic ChataCoffee™ or ChataCoffee™ Cream, which is topped with a delicious layer of vanilla cold foam.
“Culinary innovation continues to be a major focus for us in 2026,” said Chef Rene Pisciotti, Sr. Director of Culinary Innovation at El Pollo Loco. “These market tests allow us to explore new flavor directions, bring more variety to our guests, and ensure every item we launch incorporates their feedback and reflects what our customers are craving most.”
El Pollo Loco has also committed to eight additional new menu item tests in 2026. Specifics of these items will be announced later in the year.
To learn more about market test locations and dates, check with your local El Pollo Loco restaurant or follow El Pollo Loco on Instagram for updates.
About El Pollo Loco
El Pollo Loco (Nasdaq: LOCO) is the nation's leading fire-grilled chicken restaurant known for its craveable, flavorful, and better-for-you offerings. Named by USA Today 10 Best Reader’s Choice Awards as a “Best Restaurant for Quick, Healthy Food” two years in a row, our menu features innovative meals with Mexican-inspired flavors made daily in our restaurants using quality ingredients. At El Pollo Loco, inclusivity is at the heart of our culture. Our community of over 4,000 employees reflects our commitment to creating a workplace where everyone has a seat at our table. Since 1980, El Pollo Loco has successfully expanded its presence, operating more than 500 company-owned and franchised restaurants across nine U.S. states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Utah, and Washington. The company has also extended its footprint internationally, with licensed restaurant locations in the Philippines. For more information or to place an order, visit the Loco Rewards app or ElPolloLoco.com. Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, or X.
CONTACT:
DeVries Global
media@elpolloloco.com
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2fa7e670-1704-43d4-8afc-2f77b4c2cf36
FAQ
What menu items is El Pollo Loco (LOCO) testing in March–April 2026?
How many El Pollo Loco (LOCO) restaurants are involved in the March 5, 2026 menu tests?
What is the Honey Chipotle BBQ test offering from El Pollo Loco (LOCO)?
Are Loco Tenders and Loaded Quesadillas part of El Pollo Loco's (LOCO) 2026 innovation plans?
Will the Horchata Coffee drinks at El Pollo Loco (LOCO) be a permanent menu addition?
Does El Pollo Loco (LOCO) plan more menu tests after March 2026?
