{"success":true,"data":{"pressRelease":{"id":"128510","rtpr_id":"nGNXb6XpyW","ticker":"LOCO","exchange":"NASDAQ","all_tickers":["LOCO"],"title":"El Pollo Loco® Declares September 9 National Grilled Chicken Day","author":"Globe Newswire","published_at":"2026-08-26T17:47:50.099Z","article_body":"COSTA MESA, Calif., Aug. 26, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- El Pollo Loco\n(https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=CFKtl10Ib3M5kRfmjSaxl_qtonFCfWkcKhOmdHmwVreOx8D7lCiBZv-YQNB-sCFjeKV92wv3niiK907GQjzxMgVKadpVTfenyCRGW09Lmjw=),\nthe nation’s leading fire-grilled chicken chain, is seeking long overdue\njustice for grilled chicken. After decades of watching the country celebrate\nchicken of all kinds on their respective days – from wings to fried\nsandwiches, cordon bleu to cacciatore and everything in between – El Pollo\nloco took action to get grilled chicken the recognition it deserves.\n\nAfter a year-long campaign that included a billboard in Times Square,\npetitions to holiday naming organizations, incredible deals for their Loco\nRewards Members and an AI-fueled social contest, El Pollo Loco is proud to\nannounce that National Day Calendar has officially named September 9, National\nGrilled Chicken Day.\n\n“We couldn’t believe that this delicious way to cook and enjoy chicken was\nbeing left off the long list of food holidays,” said Liz Williams, CEO of El\nPollo Loco. “El Pollo Loco has been celebrating fire-grilled chicken daily\nfor the last 50-plus years, now everyone can get Loco and enjoy grilled\nchicken on September 9.”\n\nThe new national food holiday celebrates the cooking method that has been\ncentral to El Pollo Loco for decades. The brand’s signature grilled chicken\nis marinated in a proprietary recipe of citrus, garlic and spices before being\ncooked over an open flame, creating the distinctive flavor that has helped\ndefine El Pollo Loco since its beginning.\n\nBut securing the holiday was only the first step – now the brand is\ncelebrating by giving away free chicken!\n\nLoco Rewards Members can receive a free 2-piece leg and thigh meal with the\npurchase of any drink at participating El Pollo Loco restaurants on the\ninaugural National Grilled Chicken Day, September 9*\n\nGuests can download the El Pollo Loco app and sign up\n(https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=dall6gyWjevrRl8n5_5NyOV9U0ceynS0MCP3ITqKJ1oRGSqGTVajaPd5Fwsx6oUNK2gNHfq7mtw5FoceGj0jkfiNPyzbrYT0IdhzMmhHJC0=)\nfor Loco Rewards ahead of September 9 to unlock the offer and stay connected\nto exclusive rewards and surprises throughout National Chicken Month (and\nbeyond).\n\nBut what’s better than free chicken for a day? Free chicken for life!\n\nOn September 10, El Pollo Loco is launching the Loco Hall of Flame Music\nChallenge**, inviting fans to show off their creativity and loco love for that\nfire-grilled chicken for the chance to win the ultimate prize: Free Chicken\nfor Life.\n\nThe brand is partnering with producer and multi-instrumentalist Kaelin Ellis\n(https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=dS98m453Z72qv6iDKYOqgIkQNw6quNGOmFj6_kwGuGZEX3Qrlfty1QtVfgDhYU7PI7uW4OLpmsnJsV0Fjz6gOmqwpM7ay8NGkhnJ0jPbQVqfclGHgWM4v6kzNlC1vpEf)\nto create an original eight-bar track inspired by the sounds of El Pollo\nLoco’s famous grills. Once the beat drops, El Pollo Loco is handing the mic\nto the internet.\n\nFans can take the track in any direction they choose on TikTok and Instagram.\nWrite a hook, spit a verse, duet, remix, dance, animate a music video or\ncreate something completely unexpected. The only rule? Get Loco over the beat.\n\nThe Loco Hall of Flame Music Challenge runs September 10 through September 23,\nwith the most creative submission taking home Free Chicken for Life.\n\nFor complete challenge details, eligibility requirements and Official Rules,\nvisit elpolloloco.com/hallofflame\n(https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=BW4Y9xewFrrukMKRK89XRyfMecZMpsx4lQgFCHSnnOv57CC7Vf1Uni0_OAaLRViqrpIBPnPw8xENalNDc4VY5xz1Jtwr4Yl97gNHGTZ2C998Qbe72pom71imTQUoDMSh).\nChicken for life is defined as one El Pollo Loco 2-Piece leg and thigh chicken\nmeal per week, per year, for 50 years.\n\nYou can’t have a Hall of F(l)ame without a few icons…\n\nThat’s why El Pollo Loco’s signature Loco Friday Drops for the month of\nSeptember will feature some of its most iconic menu items and deals –\nTostadas, Pollo Bowls, BOGOs, $1 deals, and more.\n\nLoco Rewards Members will see these deals in their app each Friday.\n\nStill not a Loco Rewards member? What are you waiting for? Sign up today\n(https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=mWlWHe0VNWP-HOZ_Lo4xMikcVgOuFPUZUSLEOuhbNGG1VGRWYMoNrKdG8xjwX98GwPgaTeaVabxlNIWr2R1Bvx-o56Mi9crExpt7y9Z4W8E=)!\n\n*Valid 9/9/26 only. Valid for a free 2pc Leg & Thigh Meal with purchase of an\na la carte drink. Not valid on combo purchases. Offer available to valid Loco\nRewards members, redeemable through the Loco Rewards account online or in the\nApp by applying the reward at checkout, or in store by scanning the QR code in\nthe Loco Rewards App.  Tax and modifications extra. Offer valid for one-time\nuse. Limit one offer per person, per day. Not valid on third-party delivery\nplatforms. Valid at participating locations only via participating channels\nonly. Subject to availability and while supplies last. May not be combined\nwith any other coupons, promotions or special offers. No cash value.\nAdditional restrictions may apply; void where prohibited.\n\n**No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. Ends 9/23/26. Open\nto legal U.S. residents of the 50 U.S./D.C., 18+. For rules,\neligibility, methods of entry, judging criteria, and prize details:\nElPolloLoco.com/HallofFlame Sponsor: El Pollo Loco, Inc.\n\nAbout El Pollo Loco\n\nEl Pollo Loco (Nasdaq: LOCO) is the nation's leading fire-grilled chicken\nrestaurant known for its craveable, flavorful, and better-for-you offerings.\nOur menu features innovative meals with Mexican flavors all made in our\nrestaurants daily using quality ingredients. At El Pollo Loco, inclusivity is\nat the heart of our culture. Our community of over 4,000 employees reflects\nour commitment to creating a workplace where everyone has a seat at our table.\nSince 1980, El Pollo Loco has successfully expanded its presence, operating\nmore than 500 company-owned and franchise-operated restaurants across ten U.S.\nstates: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico,\nTexas, Utah and Washington. The Company has also extended its footprint\ninternationally, with eight licensed restaurant locations in the Philippines.\nFor more information or to place an order, visit the Loco Rewards APP or\nElPolloLoco.com. Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, or X.\n\nCONTACT: \nmedia@elpolloloco.com\n\nA photo accompanying this announcement is available at\nhttps://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/81b40f69-b76d-476e-a24e-5833dc9e0ae7\n\n(https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/23510f82-0960-470c-b5b2-ab0b0b94654b)\nEl Pollo Loco \n(https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/81b40f69-b76d-476e-a24e-5833dc9e0ae7/en)\nLoco Rewards Members can receive a free 2-piece leg and thigh meal with the\npurchase of any drink at participating El Pollo Loco restaurants on the\ninaugural National Grilled Chicken Day, September 9.\n\n\nGlobeNewswire, Inc. 2026","article_body_html":"","raw_payload":{"data":{"id":"nGNXb6XpyW","title":"El Pollo Loco® Declares September 9 National Grilled Chicken Day","author":"Globe Newswire","ticker":"LOCO","created":"2026-08-26T17:47:50.099Z","tickers":["LOCO"],"exchange":"NASDAQ","article_body":"COSTA MESA, Calif., Aug. 26, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- El Pollo Loco\n(https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=CFKtl10Ib3M5kRfmjSaxl_qtonFCfWkcKhOmdHmwVreOx8D7lCiBZv-YQNB-sCFjeKV92wv3niiK907GQjzxMgVKadpVTfenyCRGW09Lmjw=),\nthe nation’s leading fire-grilled chicken chain, is seeking long overdue\njustice for grilled chicken. After decades of watching the country celebrate\nchicken of all kinds on their respective days – from wings to fried\nsandwiches, cordon bleu to cacciatore and everything in between – El Pollo\nloco took action to get grilled chicken the recognition it deserves.\n\nAfter a year-long campaign that included a billboard in Times Square,\npetitions to holiday naming organizations, incredible deals for their Loco\nRewards Members and an AI-fueled social contest, El Pollo Loco is proud to\nannounce that National Day Calendar has officially named September 9, National\nGrilled Chicken Day.\n\n“We couldn’t believe that this delicious way to cook and enjoy chicken was\nbeing left off the long list of food holidays,” said Liz Williams, CEO of El\nPollo Loco. “El Pollo Loco has been celebrating fire-grilled chicken daily\nfor the last 50-plus years, now everyone can get Loco and enjoy grilled\nchicken on September 9.”\n\nThe new national food holiday celebrates the cooking method that has been\ncentral to El Pollo Loco for decades. The brand’s signature grilled chicken\nis marinated in a proprietary recipe of citrus, garlic and spices before being\ncooked over an open flame, creating the distinctive flavor that has helped\ndefine El Pollo Loco since its beginning.\n\nBut securing the holiday was only the first step – now the brand is\ncelebrating by giving away free chicken!\n\nLoco Rewards Members can receive a free 2-piece leg and thigh meal with the\npurchase of any drink at participating El Pollo Loco restaurants on the\ninaugural National Grilled Chicken Day, September 9*\n\nGuests can download the El Pollo Loco app and sign up\n(https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=dall6gyWjevrRl8n5_5NyOV9U0ceynS0MCP3ITqKJ1oRGSqGTVajaPd5Fwsx6oUNK2gNHfq7mtw5FoceGj0jkfiNPyzbrYT0IdhzMmhHJC0=)\nfor Loco Rewards ahead of September 9 to unlock the offer and stay connected\nto exclusive rewards and surprises throughout National Chicken Month (and\nbeyond).\n\nBut what’s better than free chicken for a day? Free chicken for life!\n\nOn September 10, El Pollo Loco is launching the Loco Hall of Flame Music\nChallenge**, inviting fans to show off their creativity and loco love for that\nfire-grilled chicken for the chance to win the ultimate prize: Free Chicken\nfor Life.\n\nThe brand is partnering with producer and multi-instrumentalist Kaelin Ellis\n(https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=dS98m453Z72qv6iDKYOqgIkQNw6quNGOmFj6_kwGuGZEX3Qrlfty1QtVfgDhYU7PI7uW4OLpmsnJsV0Fjz6gOmqwpM7ay8NGkhnJ0jPbQVqfclGHgWM4v6kzNlC1vpEf)\nto create an original eight-bar track inspired by the sounds of El Pollo\nLoco’s famous grills. Once the beat drops, El Pollo Loco is handing the mic\nto the internet.\n\nFans can take the track in any direction they choose on TikTok and Instagram.\nWrite a hook, spit a verse, duet, remix, dance, animate a music video or\ncreate something completely unexpected. The only rule? Get Loco over the beat.\n\nThe Loco Hall of Flame Music Challenge runs September 10 through September 23,\nwith the most creative submission taking home Free Chicken for Life.\n\nFor complete challenge details, eligibility requirements and Official Rules,\nvisit elpolloloco.com/hallofflame\n(https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=BW4Y9xewFrrukMKRK89XRyfMecZMpsx4lQgFCHSnnOv57CC7Vf1Uni0_OAaLRViqrpIBPnPw8xENalNDc4VY5xz1Jtwr4Yl97gNHGTZ2C998Qbe72pom71imTQUoDMSh).\nChicken for life is defined as one El Pollo Loco 2-Piece leg and thigh chicken\nmeal per week, per year, for 50 years.\n\nYou can’t have a Hall of F(l)ame without a few icons…\n\nThat’s why El Pollo Loco’s signature Loco Friday Drops for the month of\nSeptember will feature some of its most iconic menu items and deals –\nTostadas, Pollo Bowls, BOGOs, $1 deals, and more.\n\nLoco Rewards Members will see these deals in their app each Friday.\n\nStill not a Loco Rewards member? What are you waiting for? Sign up today\n(https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=mWlWHe0VNWP-HOZ_Lo4xMikcVgOuFPUZUSLEOuhbNGG1VGRWYMoNrKdG8xjwX98GwPgaTeaVabxlNIWr2R1Bvx-o56Mi9crExpt7y9Z4W8E=)!\n\n*Valid 9/9/26 only. Valid for a free 2pc Leg & Thigh Meal with purchase of an\na la carte drink. Not valid on combo purchases. Offer available to valid Loco\nRewards members, redeemable through the Loco Rewards account online or in the\nApp by applying the reward at checkout, or in store by scanning the QR code in\nthe Loco Rewards App.  Tax and modifications extra. Offer valid for one-time\nuse. Limit one offer per person, per day. Not valid on third-party delivery\nplatforms. Valid at participating locations only via participating channels\nonly. Subject to availability and while supplies last. May not be combined\nwith any other coupons, promotions or special offers. No cash value.\nAdditional restrictions may apply; void where prohibited.\n\n**No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. Ends 9/23/26. Open\nto legal U.S. residents of the 50 U.S./D.C., 18+. For rules,\neligibility, methods of entry, judging criteria, and prize details:\nElPolloLoco.com/HallofFlame Sponsor: El Pollo Loco, Inc.\n\nAbout El Pollo Loco\n\nEl Pollo Loco (Nasdaq: LOCO) is the nation's leading fire-grilled chicken\nrestaurant known for its craveable, flavorful, and better-for-you offerings.\nOur menu features innovative meals with Mexican flavors all made in our\nrestaurants daily using quality ingredients. At El Pollo Loco, inclusivity is\nat the heart of our culture. Our community of over 4,000 employees reflects\nour commitment to creating a workplace where everyone has a seat at our table.\nSince 1980, El Pollo Loco has successfully expanded its presence, operating\nmore than 500 company-owned and franchise-operated restaurants across ten U.S.\nstates: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico,\nTexas, Utah and Washington. The Company has also extended its footprint\ninternationally, with eight licensed restaurant locations in the Philippines.\nFor more information or to place an order, visit the Loco Rewards APP or\nElPolloLoco.com. Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, or X.\n\nCONTACT: \nmedia@elpolloloco.com\n\nA photo accompanying this announcement is available at\nhttps://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/81b40f69-b76d-476e-a24e-5833dc9e0ae7\n\n(https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/23510f82-0960-470c-b5b2-ab0b0b94654b)\nEl Pollo Loco \n(https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/81b40f69-b76d-476e-a24e-5833dc9e0ae7/en)\nLoco Rewards Members can receive a free 2-piece leg and thigh meal with the\npurchase of any drink at participating El Pollo Loco restaurants on the\ninaugural National Grilled Chicken Day, September 9.\n\n\nGlobeNewswire, Inc. 2026"},"type":"article","timestamp":"2026-08-26T17:47:50.137366275Z","server_sent_at_ms":1787766470137},"received_at":"2026-08-26T17:47:50.190Z","source_url":null},"analysis":{"id":"117426","press_release_id":"128510","analysis_json":{"industry":{"label":"Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure","sector":"Consumer Discretionary"},"redFlags":[],"eventType":"other","narrative":"El Pollo Loco announced that National Day Calendar has officially designated September 9 as National Grilled Chicken Day, capping off a year-long marketing campaign.\n\nTo celebrate the inaugural holiday, the chain is offering a free 2-piece meal to Loco Rewards members with a drink purchase and launching a 'Loco Hall of Flame' music challenge with producer Kaelin Ellis.\n\nThe initiative highlights the brand's 50-year history of fire-grilled chicken and aims to drive customer engagement during National Chicken Month.","sentiment":"neutral","agentHooks":{"shouldPost":false,"suggestedAngle":"Marketing promotion -- no material financial impact."},"keyFigures":{"customDimensions":{"states_us":10,"employee_count":4000,"locations_intl":8,"brand_age_years":"50+","restaurant_count":"500+"}},"quotedText":"El Pollo Loco has been celebrating fire-grilled chicken daily for the last 50-plus years, now everyone can get Loco and enjoy grilled chicken on September 9.","namedEntities":{"people":[{"name":"Liz Williams","role":"CEO"},{"name":"Kaelin Ellis","role":"Producer and Multi-instrumentalist"}],"products":["Loco Rewards","National Grilled Chicken Day","Loco Hall of Flame Music Challenge","Tostadas","Pollo Bowls"],"companies":[{"name":"National Day Calendar","relationship":"partner"}],"dollarAmounts":[{"amount":"$1","context":"Loco Friday Drops promotion"}]},"materialImpact":{"score":1,"reasoning":"Routine marketing campaign announcing a novelty food holiday and associated promotional giveaway. No financial materiality or strategic shift."},"tickerRelevance":{"others":[],"primary":"LOCO"},"globalImportance":5,"audienceRelevance":10,"eventTypeSecondary":[],"importanceComponents":{"tickerTier":"small-mid-cap","eventGravity":"marketing-fluff","householdBrandBoost":"moderate"}},"event_type":"other","event_type_secondary":null,"sentiment":"neutral","material_impact_score":1,"narrative":"El Pollo Loco announced that National Day Calendar has officially designated September 9 as National Grilled Chicken Day, capping off a year-long marketing campaign.\n\nTo celebrate the inaugural holiday, the chain is offering a free 2-piece meal to Loco Rewards members with a drink purchase and launching a 'Loco Hall of Flame' music challenge with producer Kaelin Ellis.\n\nThe initiative highlights the brand's 50-year history of fire-grilled chicken and aims to drive customer engagement during National Chicken Month.","key_figures":{"customDimensions":{"states_us":10,"employee_count":4000,"locations_intl":8,"brand_age_years":"50+","restaurant_count":"500+"}},"named_entities":{"people":[{"name":"Liz Williams","role":"CEO"},{"name":"Kaelin Ellis","role":"Producer and Multi-instrumentalist"}],"products":["Loco Rewards","National Grilled Chicken Day","Loco Hall of Flame Music Challenge","Tostadas","Pollo Bowls"],"companies":[{"name":"National Day Calendar","relationship":"partner"}],"dollarAmounts":[{"amount":"$1","context":"Loco Friday Drops promotion"}]},"model_name":"glm-4.7","prompt_hash":"sha256:727b4b9429a443af","schema_hash":"sha256:05005c02d9cffac9","created_at":"2026-08-26T17:49:01.977Z","global_importance":5,"audience_relevance":10,"importance_components":{"tickerTier":"small-mid-cap","eventGravity":"marketing-fluff","householdBrandBoost":"moderate"}},"durationMs":71694,"modelName":"glm-4.7"}}