El Pollo Loco Inc. has inked a multi-unit franchise agreement with Pikes Pollo Inc. to develop four restaurants in Denver's west side. The franchise group, whose partners are longtime operators of three El Pollo Loco restaurants in California, will open its first two West Denver locations in Arvada and Littleton and is eyeing Westminster and Lakewood for the other two.

"We are pleased to announce this development agreement with Pikes Pollo and about the opportunity to grow the El Pollo Loco brand into Colorado," Brian Carmichall, El Pollo Loco's chief development officer, said in a company press release. "Pikes Pollo has a strong track record of running excellent restaurants and we are confident they are the right franchise group to align with as we move forward with our strategic growth and development plans. We continue to actively search for successful, enthusiastic business leaders, like the Pikes Pollo team, to increase our brand presence across Colorado and in the Rocky Mountain region."

The West Denver restaurants will feature the chain's latest prototype geared toward off-premise business, which features a dining room that opens up to an expansive patio, as well as a drive-thru and designated curbside pick-up parking. It also offers an enhanced digitized experience, including "Pollo To Go" cubbies for mobile to-go and delivery orders, digital menu boards and GPS-enabled curbside pick-up, all integrated with the company's dynamic and versatile mobile app.

"The Denver area is an amazing community and an ideal fit for El Pollo Loco as the brand continues to strengthen its roots and expand. We look forward to bringing the excitement of El Pollo Loco to the area," Al Amiri, president of Pikes Pollo, said in the release. "The strong reputation of El Pollo Loco, combined with our experience with the brand in California, makes this agreement a natural fit for us."

Over the next few years, El Pollo Loco plans to remodel over 300 of its 481 locations and open up to 140 restaurants in Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, Oregon, New Mexico, Texas and Washington. The initial investment to own and operate a single unit is between $770,000 and $2,097,000, which includes a franchise fee of $40,000.

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