Pollo Tropical Continues Georgia Expansion in 2015

Staff Report

Pollo Tropical, Florida’s beloved fast-casual concept known for its citrus-marinated, flame-grilled chicken and array of authentic sauces and sides, continues its Georgia expansion with the opening of its newest location this month. The Austell restaurant, near Brookwood Square at 3999 Austell Road, is the seventh Atlanta-area Pollo Tropical, and one of the area’s first to display the new Caribbean-style design, which debuted in Texas last year.

The restaurant’s island-themed grand opening celebration will be from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on March 20. Festivities will include calypso music, a proclamation by local officials and a robosurfer challenge, where contestants will compete for first- and second-place prizes of $500 and $300 to go to their favorite charity. One lucky guest will win Free Chicken for a Year*, and the first 100 guests will receive a coupon for a free Create Your Own Family Meal, redeemable on a future visit.

The company plans to open additional locations in the Atlanta area this year, including Woodstock and East Cobb. Both locations will feature the new Caribbean-style design.

“With its bright colors and island details, our new design communicates the fun and flavors that Pollo Tropical brings to the neighborhood,” said Pollo Tropical Chief Operating Officer Danny Meisenheimer. “Our guests can relax, sip a Refresca made from real fruit juices and dine on Caribbean staples like grilled chicken, corn soufflé and plantains. At Pollo Tropical, every day offers the taste of an island vacation.”

Pollo Tropical’s menu is a melting pot of culinary cultures, featuring the distinctive, bold and tangy flavors of the Caribbean. Savory island spices, mixed herbs and citrus are blended into rubs and marinades that enhance the flavors of fresh vegetables, pork, beef and signature chicken dishes. The company has built a loyal following for its fresh, never frozen, bone-in chicken that is marinated in tropical fruit juices and spices and then flame-grilled to perfection and served quartered or halved.

Guests can choose options that include Create Your Own TropiChops®, sandwiches, salads, wraps, platters, kids meals and family meals. In addition to the signature bone-in chicken, Pollo Tropical offers boneless, skinless grilled chicken breasts, Mojo Roast Pork and Grilled Tropical Wings. Made-from-scratch sides include rice, beans, yuca with garlic sauce, sweet plantains and many more. The restaurant uses ingredients without 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, Cilantro Garlic and Spicy Poyo-Poyo. The sauces allow diners to further customize their meals and tempt their taste buds with craveable, zesty, tropical flavors.

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 and mango peach flavors.

To serve its guests, the Austell Road restaurant plans to hire more than 40 hourly team members. The 3,400-square-foot restaurant will feature indoor and outdoor seating for more than 90, with limited table service and a convenient drive-thru. The company is actively recruiting for all positions and is accepting applications at http://pollotropical.com/careers/job-postings/. Guests also can get a coupon for either a buy one, get one free small TropiChop or $3 off a family meal by signing up for the Pollo Reward$® loyalty program.