Miami-based Pollo Tropical® (pronounced PO-yo Tropi-CAL), a subsidiary of Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc., is planning to expand its unique restaurant concept to the Caribbean and Central and South America by franchising new locations in a number of countries.
Pollo Tropical owns and operates 91 locations in the United States and has had longstanding franchised restaurants in Puerto Rico and Ecuador. In the last two years, the company has opened franchised locations in Honduras, Trinidad and the Bahamas and has entered into a development agreement for locations in Panama as well.
The international franchising expansion effort is being led by Marc Mushkin, Pollo Tropical’s Senior Vice President of International Development. According to Mr. Mushkin, the brand is seeking seasoned franchise candidates with experience in the hospitality industry to enter into multiple-unit agreements. Targeted franchise territories in the Western Hemisphere include Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Mexico and the Caribbean, including the Dominican Republic, St. Thomas, St. Martin, Martinique, Barbados, St. Kitts, Nevis, St. Lucia and the Netherlands Antilles, among others. Looking north, the Company is also setting its sights on Canada – as the country ranked #1 in foreign tourists who visit Miami, according to the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce.
