Six Attacks have been registered on Fried Chicken Restaurants in the northern state of Nuevo León. In the municipalities of Apodaca, Guadalupe, Monterrey, and Santa Catarina.
Six branches of the El Pollo Loco chain have been set on fire in different municipalities of Nuevo León in less than eight days, putting the company at the center of controversy. Although authorities have ruled out that these attacks were related to extortion, the franchise owners will meet with the state prosecutor’s office to clarify the events.
Founded more than 50 years ago in Guasave, Sinaloa, El Pollo Loco is one of the most recognized fast food restaurants in Mexico. Its founder, Francisco Ochoa, dreamed of “conquering the world with its flavor,” and although his business grew to more than 80 branches in several states across the country, it is currently facing one of its biggest crises.
Francisco Ochoa, the entrepreneur behind El Pollo Loco
Francisco Ochoa was born in August 1942 and, from a young age, dedicated himself to working to support his family. At 14, he began working in the family furniture business, but after a flood in 1958 destroyed the inventory, he had to look for new opportunities. He tried his hand at a carnitas taqueria, a mechanic’s shop, and a shoe store, but none of these businesses took off.
The turning point in his life came in the 1970s, when rotisserie chickens began to become popular in Sinaloa. Ochoa tried to buy one at a restaurant in Guasave, but was refused service because they only sold 100 pieces a day. It was then that he decided to open his own restaurant and develop his own recipe.
The name “El Pollo Loco” came about because friends and family told him he was “crazy” for wanting to dedicate himself exclusively to selling charcoal-roasted chicken. However, his mother supported him and suggested a special marinade, which ended up becoming the secret to the business’s success.
The first restaurant opened its doors in 1974 and quickly became popular, allowing it to expand to other states. Currently, the chain is present in Nuevo León, Coahuila, Tamaulipas, Durango, Querétaro, Michoacán, and Sinaloa.
Attacks against El Pollo Loco in Nuevo León
In the last eight days, six El Pollo Loco locations have been attacked in different municipalities of Nuevo León. According to state prosecutor Javier Flores, authorities are already investigating the incidents and are in contact with the company’s owners to clarify the situation.
Although there has been speculation about possible threats or extortion, Flores ruled out that the attacks were related to these types of crimes. However, no further details have been revealed about the possible motive behind the arson attacks.
So far, Francisco Ochoa has not issued any public statement regarding the attacks. However, the issue has raised concerns among restaurant owners in the region, who fear that violence in the sector will increase in the coming months.
Source: Guillermo Ortega
