Pollo Tropical, the Miami-based grilled-chicken concept, is looking to launch in the UK.
The company, which currently owns and operates over 90 restaurants in the US, is currently looking for a national developer or multi-site franchisee to aid with the expansion of the chain into the UK.
The move is being led by Marc Mushkin, the company’s senior vice president of international development. He said the company is seeking “seasoned franchise candidates with experience in the hospitality industry and the capabilities to enter into multiple-unit agreements”.
The UK is one of the international markets the company has identified where brand familiarity exists from high levels of trade and tourism to Pollo Tropical’s home state of Florida.
“Adding to that brand familiarity is the documented popularity of chicken brands in the UK and the country’s increasingly multi-cultural demographics, all combining to make it a desirable market for Pollo Tropical,” Mushkin said.
The first Pollo Tropical opened in 1988 in Miami and has the chain has since expanded throughout Florida. It has recently branched out across the north east of the US, with locations in New Jersey.
Other American firms that have aspirations for the UK are said to include Baja Fresh, Bubba Gump, Carl’s Jnr, Popeye Chicken, Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse and Sushi Samba.
