EPL Intermediate, Inc. (“El Pollo Loco” or the “Company”), parent company of El Pollo Loco, Inc., announced today the promotion of Steve Sather to President and CEO of El Pollo Loco, Inc. and the appointment of Samuel N. Borgese to Executive Chairman of the Board of El Pollo Loco, Inc.
Sather joined El Pollo Loco in January of 2006 to lead both company and franchise operations, bringing over 30 years of restaurant industry and executive management experience to the Company. As Senior Vice President of Operations, Sather aligned employees and franchise owners around a quest for operational excellence. Sather was appointed acting President and CEO of the Company in mid August of 2010.
Prior to joining El Pollo Loco, Sather was Senior Vice President of Retail Operations for Great Circle Family Foods, LLC, franchise operator of Krispy Kreme Doughnuts in Southern California. Earlier, Sather was Chief Operating Officer for Rubio’s Restaurants, Inc. and held senior management positions with Rally’s Hamburgers, La Salsa Holding Company and Taco Bell. Sather holds a bachelor’s degree in business from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.
“Steve brings a wealth of experience, passion for the brand and proven leadership to his new role as President and CEO, and we are confident that he is the right executive to execute strategic initiatives and expand the El Pollo Loco platform,” said Dean Kehler, Managing Partner of Trimaran Capital Partners, LLC.
EPL Intermediate, Inc. also announced today the appointment of Samuel N. Borgese to Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors of El Pollo Loco, Inc. In this role, Borgese will be actively involved in helping El Pollo Loco execute its strategy.
A senior executive leader with a proven track record of successfully adapting businesses to a changing consumer base and marketplace, Borgese brings extensive industry experience to the Board. Prior to joining El Pollo Loco, Borgese served as President and CEO of CB Holding Corp., a New Jersey-based restaurant company with 86 locations and earlier as President and CEO of Catalina Restaurant Group, a Carlsbad, California-based restaurant company with more than 220 locations in the southwestern United States.
“We are thrilled to have these two gifted and highly experienced restaurant industry executives at the helm of El Pollo Loco and know that they will lead our dedicated group of employees and franchisees in growing this outstanding brand,” said Dean Kehler, Managing Partner of Trimaran Capital Partners, LLC.
Headquartered in Costa Mesa, California, El Pollo Loco, Inc. is a privately held company owned by Trimaran Pollo Partners, LLC and management. The principal investors in Trimaran Pollo Partners are funds affiliated with Trimaran Capital Partners, LLC and Freeman Spogli & Co. El Pollo Loco, Inc. offers a wide variety of fresh Mexican entrees featuring its signature citrus-marinated, flame-grilled chicken (Pollo Bowl® entrees, salads, tacos, quesadillas, and more) in addition to individual and family meals featuring its famous chicken served with a wide variety of sides, warm tortillas and fresh salsas. The company currently operates over 400 restaurants (a combination of company-owned and franchise-owned restaurants) in 12 states: California, Arizona, Nevada, Texas, Colorado, Oregon, Utah, Georgia, Illinois, Missouri, Virginia and Connecticut. For more information, visit the company’s website at www.elpolloloco.com.