El Pollo Loco, a fire-grilled chicken chain, has signed a franchise development deal with new franchise partner Listo Way Group, led by Lafayette native Jason Trotter, to expand into Louisiana.



Trotter will open two restaurants in the Lafayette area by 2018.



“We’re thrilled to welcome Jason to the El Pollo Loco family and partner with him to bring our concept to residents and visitors of the Lafayette area,” said Steve Sather, president and CEO of El Pollo Loco in a press release. “Louisiana is a natural next step for our brand given our strong and growing presence in Texas.”

Trotter has extensive restaurant industry experience, growing up in a family that spent decades in the business. He is a former franchisee of the fast-casual Mediterranean restaurant company Zoë’s Kitchen, joining as the company’s second franchisee in 2006. Over the course of nine years, Trotter successfully opened and operated five restaurants across Florida, Alabama and Louisiana. He was responsible for site selection, managing the construction process and restaurant operations.

El Pollo Loco is known for its citrus-marinated, fire-grilled chicken and handcrafted entrees using fresh ingredients inspired by Mexican recipes. The restaurant has more than 445 company-owned and franchised restaurants in Arizona, California, Nevada, Texas and Utah.