El Pollo Loco has named Elizabeth "Liz" Williams as its CEO and member of its board of directors, effective March 11. Williams will succeed Maria Hollandsworth, who has served as the company's interim CEO since Nov. 3, 2023. Hollandsworth has been appointed president of El Pollo Loco and will also continue to serve as the company's COO.

Williams most recently served as the CEO of Outfox Hospitality, parent company of Foxtrot, a high-growth modern café and convenience store, and Dom's Kitchen and Market. Prior to Foxtrot, she led innovative brands like Drybar and Hart House.

"We are excited to welcome Liz Williams as our new chief executive officer," William Floyd, chairman of the El Pollo Loco Board, said in the release. "Throughout her career, Liz has demonstrated her ability to accelerate growth in food and beverage brands while simultaneously improving financial performance. We believe she has the skills and experience necessary to lead El Pollo Loco as we capitalize on the significant opportunity ahead of us.

"We would also like to express our deep appreciation to Maria for her leadership as interim chief executive officer over the past three months. We are excited to benefit from her continued leadership as she helps craft and execute on our strategic vision as president and chief operating officer of El Pollo Loco."

Williams spent 10 years with Yum Brands and Taco Bell between 2010 and 2020, holding various leadership positions including CFO and president of Taco Bell International.

"I am truly honored to join El Pollo Loco and be named chief executive officer of this one-of-a-kind brand," Williams said in the release. "El Pollo Loco's fire-grilled chicken and high-quality, fresh ingredients create a better-for-you brand that is unparalleled in the restaurant industry. I believe that the opportunities to accelerate the growth of our brand are substantial. While the Company was born in Mexico over 40 years ago and has become an iconic West Coast brand, I believe we are just getting started. I look forward to working with the Company's exceptional management team, our team members, suppliers, and franchise partners as we execute on our strategic vision and write the next chapter for El Pollo Loco."

El Pollo Loco has more than 490 company-owned and franchised restaurants.

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