News

Pollo Tropical plants flag in Costa Rica

March 23, 2012

Miami-based Pollo Tropical has opened its first franchised restaurant in Costa Rica, in San Jose's main square: Parque Central.

The opening marks the first of at least five Pollo Tropical locations planned by international franchisee Chicken Tropical Service SA.

A second unit is slated to open in Liberia, Costa Rica, at the end of the month.

The operating partners of Chicken Tropical Service SA include Alberto Chacin, Jose Chacin, Carlos Borregales, Leonardo Belloso and Rafael Belloso. Borregales, as well as Leonardo Belloso and Rafael Belloso, are also partners in more than 30 international Burger King franchises in Costa Rica, and another 13 Burger King franchises in Panama.

The first Costa Rica Pollo Tropical location is a non-traditional location, in the Palace Food Mall at Parque Central in San Jose.

The Costa Rica location's menu will include the chain's signature flame-grilled chicken and roast pork and also will offer locally-sourced ribs, traditional Caribbean white rice and beans, side dishes, and Pollo Tropical TropiChops - a casserole bowl of grilled chicken breast, pork or vegetables served atop a bed of white or yellow rice.

The company also is looking for multiunit franchise operators for targeted territories in Canada, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and the Caribbean. In addition, Mushkin has recently represented the brand on trade missions in the UK, Turkey, India, Vietnam and Indonesia, with an eye to future expansion.

Pollo Tropical owns and operates 91 locations in the United States and a total of 32 franchises with international locations.

Read more about franchising and growth.