[EXCLUSIVE] Florida Chicken Chain Looking to Return to Georgia...Again

They're baaack.... maybe.  Pollo Tropical, the Florida-based chain which closed its final nine metro Atlanta locations in late 2018 after opening a total of seventeen starting 2011, is reportedly looking to re-enter the market for what will be its third attempt.  

A new Pollo Tropical is opening at 3201 Southwest Port St. Lucie Boulevard in Port St. Lucie, Florida, the first new restaurant for the chain in more than five years.  The Port St. Lucie restaurant is opening in place of a former PNC Bank. Coincidentally, it's banks that have - in the case of locations in Alpharetta (Chase) and East Cobb (Regions) - replaced former Pollo Tropical restaurants in metro Atlanta.  

The chain's resurgence is being led by Authentic Restaurant Brands, which acquired the fast casual brand in 2023. Pollo Tropical was previously operated by publicly traded Fiesta Restaurant Group, which also oversaw Taco Cabana.

According to multiple sources with knowledge of the chain's plans, the company is "checking in" on sites in and around metro Atlanta, including, but not limited to, properties they previously occupied like their former building in Tucker where Del Taco - itself on its third attempt at the Atlanta market - previously opened and closed.  

Another former Pollo Tropical that remains available today is their former Lawrenceville unit on Duluth Highway in an outparcel of Lawrenceville Market shopping center.  The Lawrenceville restaurant opened in 2011 and led the group's return to the metro Atlanta market having last had a presence locally in the late 90s.     

The chain previously operated units in both Texas and Tennessee, but is today found (within the lower 48) only in Florida...for now.  There are Pollo Tropical restaurants in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean.  In total, the chain is currently comprised of about 150 locations.   

"The chain has generated 40 consecutive months of positive traffic growth since January 2023, excluding the impact of hurricanes that temporarily disrupted operations in October 2024," according to a June article from industry trade publication QSR Magazine titled How Authentic Restaurant Brands Revived Pollo Tropical’s Momentum.  The article also stated that Pollo Tropical's average unit volumes (AUV) are approaching $4M.  

It remains to be seen just how soon the chain may return but given the recent closures of Hardees, Del Taco and Whataburger, they have a growing list of potential sites to consider.  

Could their return lead to others like El Pollo Loco attempting the Atlanta market again?  Time will tell, but we are pretty sure that the Atlanta market entry many locals are most eager for is In-N-Out Burger, which we hear is likely in the next three to five years.  

Are you excited for the potential return of Pollo Tropical to metro Atlanta?  Where in metro Atlanta would you most like to see Pollo Tropical open?  What QSR chain would you most like to see enter or return to metro Atlanta?

Please share your thoughts below.