Pollo Tropical® Launches Texas Expansion

MIAMI, March 10, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Pollo Tropical, Florida's beloved fast-casual concept known for its citrus-marinated, flame-grilled chicken and array of authentic sauces and sides, launches its expansion into Texas on March 28 with the opening of its first location in the state at 5290 Belt Line Road in Addison.

Pollo Tropical, founded in 1988 in Miami, has a rich history rooted in serving fresh, handcrafted food with the distinct flavors of the Caribbean at affordable prices. Pollo Tropical's menu is based on the islands' melting pot of culinary cultures featuring bold and tangy flavors using savory island spices, mixed herbs and citrus. These are blended into rubs and marinades that enhance the flavors of fresh vegetables and meats such as pork, beef and Pollo Tropical's signature chicken dishes. The company has built its loyal following on its famous fresh, never frozen grilled bone-in chicken that is marinated in a proprietary blend of tropical fruit juices and spices then flame grilled to perfection and served quartered or halved.

Today, Pollo Tropical's extensive menu includes platters, Create Your OwnTropiChops^®, sandwiches, salads, wraps, kids meals and family meals. In addition to its signature bone-in chicken, Pollo Tropical offers boneless, skinless grilled chicken breast, Mojo Roast Pork, Grilled Tropical Wings and made-from-scratch sides including rice, beans, yuca with garlic sauce, sweet plantains and much more. The restaurant uses ingredients that have zero added trans fats or hormones.

Pollo Tropical's famous Saucing Island brings on the flavor – and a little heat – with 10 signature sauces, including Curry Mustard, Guava BBQ, Pineapple Rum and Cilantro Garlic. The sauces allow diners to further customize their meals and tempt their taste buds with craveable, zesty, tropical flavors.

"With the opening of our first Pollo Tropical in Texas, we want to win the hearts of Texans, share our passion for great island-inspired food and culture, and prove that 'Life's Better Under the Palm,'" said Pollo Tropical Chief Operating Officer Danny Meisenheimer. "Texans may see our name and think of Tex-Mex, but Pollo Tropical offers something completely different – a one-of-a-kind experience with a uniquely tropical twist on fresh, healthy, hand-prepared foods you feel better about eating."

To complement its menu, Pollo Tropical also offers diners a variety of island-inspired beverages, ranging from a selection of Caribbean beers to coconut water and popular Refrescas in tropical breeze, mango tango and superfruit punch flavors. Diners can add Bacardi rum for a tropical cocktail or enjoy a Cuba Libre made with Coca-Cola and a fresh squeeze of lime.

Guests can watch as fresh food is prepared all day in the restaurant's open kitchen. The 3,400-square-foot restaurant also features a design influenced by tropical blues and greens, island-inspired lighting and plants, indoor and patio seating with limited table service and a convenient drive-thru.

To serve its new Texas guests, the Addison restaurant will hire a team of 45, all of whom will be flown to a Pollo Tropical in Atlanta to learn the "Corazon del Pollo," or heart of the company. They'll work with long-time employees, many of whom bring their Caribbean and Central American culture and heritage to their special brand of hospitality, and in turn introduce Texas guests to the authentic Pollo Tropical experience. The company is actively recruiting for new management positions for the market. The restaurant is the first of 20-22 new restaurants the company plans to open in 2014 – many of them in Texas.

About Pollo Tropical
Pollo Tropical, a subsidiary of Fiesta Restaurant Group^®, is a Caribbean-inspired fast-casual concept known for its fresh, flame-grilled chicken marinated in a proprietary blend of tropical fruit juices and spices, as well as authentic, made-from-scratch side dishes, soups, salads and wraps. The Miami-based company, founded in 1988, currently owns and operates 105 locations in Florida, Georgia and Tennessee, and recently broke ground on its first Texas location in Addison. There are also four licensed restaurants located on college campuses, and 36 franchised locations throughout the Caribbean, Central America, South America, Puerto Rico and India. For more information on Pollo Tropical, including employment opportunities, menu and nutritional information as well as information about international franchising, visit Pollo Tropical's website at www.pollotropical.com.

About Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc.
Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc. owns, operates and franchises the Pollo Tropical, Taco Cabana^® and Cabana Grill^™ restaurant brands. The brands specialize in the operation of fast-casual, ethnic restaurants that offer distinct and unique flavors with broad appeal at a compelling value. The brands feature made-from-scratch cooking, fresh salsa bars, and drive-thru service and catering. For more information about Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc., visit the company's website at www.frgi.com.

Media Contact:
Kerrie Sparks
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Mary Kate Jeffries
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SOURCE Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc.