A few months after Liz Williams was named CEO of El Pollo Loco in March 2024, she put a three-year turnaround in place that included improving brand awareness and increasing unit-level economics, among other points. Perhaps the most impressive metric, however, came from El Pollo Loco’s restaurant contribution margin, which was 19.5%, ticking up from 19.2% in Q1. As has been the case for the past couple of quarters now, El Pollo Loco has also caught some momentum from an accelerated menu pipeline. In the second quarter, that included the new Loco Tenders, which broadened the chain’s customer base and drove trial, especially among younger consumers. In June, El Pollo Loco introduced Loaded Quesadillas, created for portability and value, priced at less than $10 on their own or $10.99 for a combo meal, which includes chips, salsa, and a drink.