Franchising

El Pollo Loco donating $100K to Latina-owned small businesses

September 17, 2020

El Pollo Loco Inc. is honoring its Hispanic heritage and Los Angeles roots by donating $100,000 to Latina-owned small businesses in Los Angeles during Hispanic Heritage Month.

The Hispanic community in the U.S., particularly in El Pollo Loco's hometown of Los Angeles, is among the hardest hit by the current pandemic, according to the Stanford Latino Entrepreneurship Initiative Survey, which found that nearly two-thirds of Latina-owned businesses said they won't continue operating beyond six months if current conditions continue. In fact, Hispanic women have been more significantly impacted by job loss than any other demographic, according to Pew Research, a fact that prompted El Pollo Loco President and CEO Bernard Acoca to create the grant.

"This year has been unlike any other, leaving Latina-owned businesses disproportionately impacted," he said in the release. "Given the critical role brands are expected to play during the pandemic and on the heels of Hispanic Heritage Month, we felt compelled to find a way to support the people and city we call home."

As part of the grant program, El Pollo Loco is encouraging Los Angeles-based customers, businesses and community members to make donations through the Go Fund Me platform at gofundme.com/EPLGrants. For every additional $10,000 raised through this campaign, El Pollo Local Grants will help another Latina-owned business stay open.

Funding Latina food businesses
As part of El Pollo Local Grants, the company teamed up with #WeAllGrow Latina to connect with the community and create a first-of-its-kind nationwide business directory of Latina-owned small businesses in the food and restaurant space. The company is encouraging the community to take an active role in nominating these businesses and the women behind them.

"When El Pollo Loco approached us about working together to support the local Latina business community, we were all in," said Ana Flores, founder and CEO of #WeAllGrow Latina. "We know that Latinas are driving economic gains that create generational wealth for the broader community, but that the circumstances of COVID-19 have posed a significant threat to our progress. This program will provide the exposure, mentorship and the cash that women in our community, specifically those in the food industry, need to adapt their businesses to this new reality."

Through Sept. 25, the community members may nominate their favorite Latina-owned food brand based in Greater Los Angeles with the hashtag #FundLatinaFoodJefas for a chance to receive a $10,000 grant that can immediately be put to use to grow their opportunities, expand their reach and thrive within the difficult context of the present moment.

To complete a submission to be part of the national directory of Latina entrepreneurs in the food industry, visit weallgrowlatina.com/fundlatinafoodjefas.

Since its founding in 1980, El Pollo Loco has opened more than 475 company-owned and franchised restaurants in Arizona, California, Nevada, Texas, Utah and Louisiana.