{"id":421664,"date":"2026-01-20T15:35:10","date_gmt":"2026-01-20T15:35:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/421664\/"},"modified":"2026-01-20T15:35:10","modified_gmt":"2026-01-20T15:35:10","slug":"el-pollo-loco-arike-ogunbowale-launch-10k-contest","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/421664\/","title":{"rendered":"El Pollo Loco, Arike Ogunbowale launch $10K contest"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>    &#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>El Pollo Loco (NASDAQ: LOCO) and WNBA star Arike Ogunbowale launched the \u201cBring the Fire\u201d contest via the El Pollo Loco Foundation to support school sports teams nationwide. Five teams will each receive $2,000 in new equipment, totaling $10,000. The contest runs through February 19, 2026, with winners announced mid\u2011March 2026 on El Pollo Loco\u2019s Instagram. The initiative follows a $10,000 donation and surprise visit to Lancaster High School, and entries require an Instagram video tagging @elpolloloco, @arike_ogunbowale, and hashtags #EPLfire and #Contest.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n            Loading&#8230;&#13;\n          <\/p>\n<p>          Loading translation&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>\n        Total contest equipment awards<br \/>\n        $10,000<\/p>\n<p>        \u201cBring the Fire\u201d contest grants for school sports teams<\/p>\n<p>\n        Teams supported<br \/>\n        5 teams<\/p>\n<p>        Number of school sports teams receiving contest awards<\/p>\n<p>\n        Award per team<br \/>\n        $2,000<\/p>\n<p>        Grant amount each winning school sports team will receive<\/p>\n<p>\n        Contest end date<br \/>\n        February 19, 2026<\/p>\n<p>        Deadline for \u201cBring the Fire\u201d contest entries<\/p>\n<p>\n        Donation to Lancaster High<br \/>\n        $10,000<\/p>\n<p>        El Pollo Loco Foundation support for Lancaster High School girls\u2019 basketball<\/p>\n<p>\n        $11.15<br \/>\n        Last Close\n      <\/p>\n<p>\n        Volume<br \/>\n        Volume 150,051 is below the 20-day average of 204,967 (relative volume 0.73).<\/p>\n<p>        normal<\/p>\n<p>\n        Technical<br \/>\n        Shares at $11.15 are trading above the 200-day MA of $10.29 and about 11.86% below the 52-week high.\n      <\/p>\n<p class=\"peers-text\">LOCO fell 1.76% as several restaurant peers also traded lower (e.g., JACK -1.58%, DIN -1.41%, RICK -4.91%), while PTLO gained 2.67%, indicating mixed sector action rather than a unified move.<\/p>\n<p>            Date<br \/>\n            Event<br \/>\n            Sentiment<br \/>\n            Move<br \/>\n            Catalyst<\/p>\n<p>            Jan 06<\/p>\n<p>                <a href=\"https:\/\/www.stocktitan.net\/news\/LOCO\/el-pollo-loco-holdings-inc-to-participate-at-the-28th-annual-icr-97sbesyy8juh.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Conference participation<\/a><\/p>\n<p>              Neutral<\/p>\n<p>              -0.5%<\/p>\n<p>              Participation in the 28th Annual ICR investor conference and webcast.<\/p>\n<p>            Jan 05<\/p>\n<p>                <a href=\"https:\/\/www.stocktitan.net\/news\/LOCO\/el-pollo-loco-launches-protein-packed-double-pollo-salads-twice-the-ga20uhv12p0q.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Product launch<\/a><\/p>\n<p>              Positive<\/p>\n<p>              +2.0%<\/p>\n<p>              Launch of high-protein Double Pollo Salads across multiple flavors nationwide.<\/p>\n<p>            Dec 15<\/p>\n<p>                <a href=\"https:\/\/www.stocktitan.net\/news\/LOCO\/el-pollo-loco-appoints-robert-d-wright-and-tana-davila-to-board-of-alc4l13q2a48.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Board changes<\/a><\/p>\n<p>              Positive<\/p>\n<p>              -2.6%<\/p>\n<p>              Appointment of two new independent directors and related board transitions.<\/p>\n<p>            Nov 26<\/p>\n<p>                <a href=\"https:\/\/www.stocktitan.net\/news\/LOCO\/el-pollo-loco-is-celebrating-12-days-of-pollo-with-delicious-xm48kxp8qyun.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Promotion campaign<\/a><\/p>\n<p>              Positive<\/p>\n<p>              +1.8%<\/p>\n<p>              Return of \u201c12 Days of Pollo\u201d deals and charitable tie-in to No Kid Hungry.<\/p>\n<p>            Oct 30<\/p>\n<p>                <a href=\"https:\/\/www.stocktitan.net\/news\/LOCO\/el-pollo-loco-holdings-inc-announces-third-quarter-2025-financial-9wyab1d9el23.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Earnings release<\/a><\/p>\n<p>              Neutral<\/p>\n<p>              -4.7%<\/p>\n<p>              Q3 2025 financial results with modest revenue growth and mixed comps.<\/p>\n<p>        Pattern Detected<\/p>\n<p class=\"context-pattern-text\">Marketing and promotional news (new products, campaigns) have often coincided with positive or modestly positive moves, while governance changes saw a negative reaction.<\/p>\n<p>        Recent Company History<\/p>\n<p class=\"context-history-recap-text\">Over the last few months, El Pollo Loco has focused on marketing initiatives and corporate governance updates alongside steady financial reporting. Product launches and promotions, such as Double Pollo Salads and \u201c12 Days of Pollo,\u201d saw positive next-day moves of 2.03% and 1.77%. In contrast, board changes on Dec 15, 2025 were followed by a -2.56% move, and Q3 2025 earnings on Oct 30, 2025 coincided with a -4.73% reaction. The current partnership fits the pattern of brand- and community-focused announcements.<\/p>\n<p class=\"context-narrative-text\">\n      This announcement highlights a brand-building partnership between El Pollo Loco and WNBA star Arike Ogunbowale, with the \u201cBring the Fire\u201d contest directing $10,000 in equipment support to 5 school sports teams and an additional $10,000 donation to a Texas high school. It extends the company\u2019s recent emphasis on marketing and community engagement. Observers may track how such initiatives complement prior menu innovations, promotions, and the latest financial results in shaping the company\u2019s positioning.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"context-ai-disclaimer\">AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<br \/>\n  &#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>      01\/20\/2026 &#8211; 09:01 AM<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBring the Fire\u201d contest, through the El Pollo Loco Foundation, will award a total of $10,000 worth of new equipment to five sports teams to help build and sustain youth athletics<\/p>\n<p>COSTA MESA, Calif., Jan.  20, 2026  (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) &#8212; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.globenewswire.com\/Tracker?data=2K_jIp3beIXSLjlD-ph7zpR4SYZMv3BN9pW9foh_jwTGVnoaslk4z_pyi8udaOAQYMdEm6yAv6X2nxW9ulPwQ5CUO7Q7SshDogD1amhB3bhRwqIk1kI9haJ5t25S_3CkaM7jOTXEUR5udpWvs9pdAjeNleb0BiSp5b6xUIHbf1AzVf6g5ZothBwRDZegAwDacWmXQO0MP4zrgb2npZWhk2zmyo9XbMzFM15BWUwMWsS0p3AWm80I3aVVf3jQlAQb\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">El Pollo Loco<\/a>, the nation\u2019s leading fire-grilled chicken restaurant chain, is teaming up with women\u2019s basketball superstar Arike Ogunbowale to support school sports teams across the country through its Foundation\u2019s \u201cBring the Fire\u201d contest, an initiative designed to uplift young athletes and provide much-needed equipment to school programs.<\/p>\n<p>Through the contest, funded by the El Pollo Loco Foundation, five school sports teams will each receive $2,000 toward helping the team refresh their gear, equipment and\/or facilities to continue building strong athletic programs. The contest is now live nationwide and runs through February 19, 2026, with winners announced mid-March 2026 on El Pollo Loco\u2019s Instagram.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSchool sports are such a powerful source of confidence and community for young athletes, but not every school has the resources to replace equipment or maintain facilities \u2014 and that shouldn\u2019t be a barrier to participation or success,\u201d said Arike Ogunbowale. \u201cI\u2019m proud to partner with El Pollo Loco and the El Pollo Loco Foundation to help remove those barriers so student athletes can focus on having fun, building confidence, teamwork, and a love for the game.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The initiative builds on a recent visit by Arike and El Pollo Loco to Lancaster High School in Texas, where they surprised the girls\u2019 basketball team with a special appearance. During the visit, Arike played a spirited game of P-O-L-L-O (a twist on H-O-R-S-E) and presented a $10,000 donation on behalf of El Pollo Loco Foundation to support the school\u2019s girls basketball program. The excitement from the visit sparked the idea of El Pollo Loco\u2019s \u201cBring the Fire\u201d contest, allowing the brand and foundation to support even more school sports teams nationwide.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThanks to the El Pollo Loco Foundation, supporting the communities we serve goes beyond our restaurants,\u201d said Jill Adams, Chief Marketing Officer at El Pollo Loco. \u201cPartnering with Arike, whose leadership and passion for uplifting underserved youth is evident in everything she does, is a true embodiment of what we aim to achieve in our communities. Her commitment to her community aligns perfectly with our foundation\u2019s mission to support the youth in the communities we serve.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>How to Enter the \u2018Bring the Fire\u2019 Contest:<\/p>\n<p>  Record a video about what school sports team you\u2019re nominating, why you think the team deserves to win and what they would spend the prize money onPost that video on Instagram and be sure to tag #EPLfire and #Contest in the captionFollow both @elpolloloco and @arike_ogunbowale for updates about the contest  <\/p>\n<p>Visit <a href=\"https:\/\/www.globenewswire.com\/Tracker?data=Z-l4r0RWLmPpaH27-UL03Qp_lQTazqaawH4wuJiJD7j1PfzcSXbjVMj9NqCZznDtPziTGAJrGpoiznMKnQhRzRcm8qE3p1JtkBDv1bpVXX2YoazwGnj0Eqx4hAJJY13I\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">ElPolloLoco.com\/BringtheFire<\/a> for official details and Terms &amp; Conditions.<\/p>\n<p>About El Pollo Loco<br \/>El Pollo Loco (Nasdaq: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.stocktitan.net\/overview\/LOCO\/\" title=\"View LOCO stock overview\" class=\"symbol-link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">LOCO<\/a>) is the nation&#8217;s leading fire-grilled chicken restaurant known for its craveable, flavorful, and better-for-you offerings. Named by\u00a0USA Today\u00a010 Best Reader\u2019s Choice Awards as a \u201cBest Restaurant for Quick, Healthy Food\u201d two years in a row, our menu features innovative meals with Mexican-inspired flavors made daily in our restaurants using quality ingredients. At\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.globenewswire.com\/Tracker?data=2K_jIp3beIXSLjlD-ph7zsVAkw2r5tUzriVpRkB6wHYpxWi8sMAMQ3-mII3efNCjvqqLhOFK8iuLr3QXb6nto7KUgWjdhEsqCOUwwm4T_Ohon_u5aG3gRflyTFld4SqKgBPdmduuZzrLxmcVzKTnZ6j1U_0KkvuqAbU1fNXW4TPIldJZds7AKt_FRMmLLSEw52sgIUAEWqbeGEO2XahrLt1tyWsoJfHaybSjdCjF-CL-R9lw3sDnLbRZurnCAsQB\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">El Pollo Loco<\/a>, inclusivity is at the heart of our culture. Our community of over 4,000 employees reflects our commitment to creating a workplace where everyone has a seat at our table. Since 1980, El Pollo Loco has successfully expanded its presence, operating more than 500 company-owned and franchised restaurants across nine U.S. states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Utah, and Washington. The company has also extended its footprint internationally, with licensed restaurant locations in the Philippines. For more information or to place an\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.globenewswire.com\/Tracker?data=cEERgHOsRTuTqKFxTivwcReHdxgcyqadtYx4cefn4ZQm0bTGnGLB3ccEaVvdqVfSnsanoa8RF9K6fIQUlT8QShlVZFN5-YCXuueZzGWyR1fZS57Q3u3O-t1xlqCDsMNJwF_n1WWXZg9UU_9PFIXhBYx5oQQ-TUkl2d2BqhM7mVm9o305QOv5-sobtwje_y0PeV-qLPcEr5M6ui5uDfiEloge6HGY3oD7QceP-GC-r5A=\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">order<\/a>, visit the Loco Rewards\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.globenewswire.com\/Tracker?data=0ShqG2BNJ-_mr-8HX92X5guiLFK3iCRPJCJjV0_7A3Kekeo8Yv32x49qmuW80LyVgbal1IBjjCEztNGU15SlJygW5Uy83t6I15Kb42pAgRVVeGjQ2liws-hScBnbDDGAoKGA9u-ekYN6rCzt8IYPadGtW9yBvddY_3jdgKtkJNDhoX6_3TXVxHBhgkqttHcZb7FJlxZfTac9eH3B6xEiO9xDTFm_rYi2KhbXaFJNdhw=\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">app<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.globenewswire.com\/Tracker?data=Z-l4r0RWLmPpaH27-UL03bpoVOMw3MRrxVa3oTplJ2F0MAPt3BzqL6C3FtZtzjj5X6j-pVC2FmyEz0F5FdKfgPIwYSgDu_gvKzuDADGKvEX6N2LssUHHoUBlvfBqejAni1sHlQ7DYYOTJ4rEhI7YKwqbh_6zPMBKchd7TnRNmDWBQ2QhWMJyNcNGjoNneqf2nY8p1b-CKJyWUz1qth1acyz4-_3SGsF6YKFy1Ht_Ivcd8fPquf8teaYSng6rU4FKkY8R2CmQi7blowGwacvxtA==\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">ElPolloLoco.com<\/a>. Follow us on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.globenewswire.com\/Tracker?data=9ULCwE2aTVsfAjSB_3GhRKYf3CNjPRT55PrJttPiyVMPBt1BQWajHoXnv-ISP4A0WNGSQt9EOEj6zoVtVFVd6iyN1a3kQtH8eVq9f1d_fZHE2khP7RLwWPeY7kbzckKZtNOogs9cGyMoMYhJnLPG-ULlF0lzLlkeQrRZfn-eZITnkpldIq8uQ9aM15Q8Z_HpEuoqv70HKjvmF8t2gJSHSNPUcHCxFgsGsbsS8c9mM3itlLpAFdo5Befzf9dbOPOL\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Instagram<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.globenewswire.com\/Tracker?data=tZAZpEc00v3BzELm2ekD2YLAKetWB3Ef3HmVJcBAYpVntfFwH-vdy8neUHX-VcXwlL-pAqMbd7VeMxHatKyj-2xwX7pf9ycISJ3nJgMK2vSLt07POOImrArIkG3ziLGJZZgtLDAROxf14NPhK4u6lDPywMEXY3WM9NvQMdK0jcejH_Ux68fU5yCVr8X2B5Kl-8oUJqYKj2XBSbrkDl9WYa44-w1FvuZl467se08VkGebln-RM4mxEvMbHtI-Xlbl\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">TikTok<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.globenewswire.com\/Tracker?data=AgpbfnbXvLmgxQ9e5cpb4IHhrS4H2jUDhYkYJvlqtNhpj5mvk8gHWsia8ZB5nfm_T5p3aaMFjU4JMhLH80nXJx3KBYyvxc4VdBwlfqlNK0W2nbVul9Q62pL-lfMDvJ0WklfkwuBeX4aw1G-HHTuD_w6Ght2-T1BYOyJ_eSJts9l8myVSDy4Ic96EnhYXhHcthfb9Vaf-020MSIUTs0FUXJNyq308Y29rYXdALDp1gELUzTsv28Fq8FD2AalR-bRK\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Facebook<\/a>, or\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.globenewswire.com\/Tracker?data=ymIeCirCmHO-jIRwkpBqOAnMj-9_KDcUeQowyjnxzqrNY5iaeHGhDfYG-DEB5cbawRq6ZzMFE-Ek7Zq-8jPwId-ISamOJ1fI5fEsVsEPO7xYRnbQS2o2n07JCKG6-GsllzAgwdErADxzW5O63Xkuom-dmi0vi--Fy-uGPx7ZlFMwbC1Snk9RkYrPvea_Dy8M49xTO8F7c50MzEwlpJ6TZQ==\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">X<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>About El Pollo Loco Foundation<br \/>EL Pollo Loco Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity that aims to provide food and other necessities for those in financial need.<\/p>\n<p>CONTACT: <br \/>El Pollo Loco <br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.globenewswire.com\/Tracker?data=xdoNry_qBTePhPwXudnUrPDvo7p9myD63uK2GcYxWW-QpyRZbxID0Jn9ESus15TM5lVfu6cFj_7h8avqvz3jQ6JQq4Y1qpgzh39sW1zEiso=\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">media@elpolloloco.com<\/a><\/p>\n<p>A photo accompanying this announcement is available at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.globenewswire.com\/Tracker?data=YgshU9p1NKi6-teKAIReQcnSA7GwQzRisWqn3DYBmHUfD8RjDJAB2eYaiBCX9DaILLYC2fV7O03Dsk-SmaRujHy-OKSQ1HfrXYcxK9VUZKFT06Wj8yu4mS3p8J4V9hL-yulhpcWGnJLCy3KnJX1QzYgzYJIMBhLbTMBzKX8wNiqs2bdB1tEXdX4FOi_ObNJrNmc9_Mosj_9oCBUUV8lr_qjEnT7ygiybOeW-PCl-Ck2_zEzV4ZHW_lJOlYtZIaog01WQCSK64VQJl3LTf5oP4w==\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/www.globenewswire.com\/NewsRoom\/AttachmentNg\/0e22b161-9397-4746-bbb1-54d61a829fdf<\/a><\/p>\n<p> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"\" class=\"__GNW8366DE3E__IMG\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1768923309_478_ti.gif\"\/> <br \/><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/El-Pollo-Loco-Holdings-Inc-.png\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\"\/><\/p>\n<p>\n    FAQ\n  <\/p>\n<p>        What is the El Pollo Loco &#8220;Bring the Fire&#8221; contest for LOCO?<\/p>\n<p>\n          The contest awards five school sports teams $2,000 each (total $10,000) in new equipment through the El Pollo Loco Foundation.\n        <\/p>\n<p>        How do schools enter the El Pollo Loco &#8220;Bring the Fire&#8221; contest (LOCO) and what are the deadlines?<\/p>\n<p>\n          Record a nomination video, post it on Instagram tagging @elpolloloco and @arike_ogunbowale with #EPLfire and #Contest; the contest runs through February 19, 2026.\n        <\/p>\n<p>        When will El Pollo Loco (LOCO) announce winners for the &#8220;Bring the Fire&#8221; contest?<\/p>\n<p>\n          Winners will be announced mid\u2011March 2026 on El Pollo Loco\u2019s Instagram channel.\n        <\/p>\n<p>        Who is partnering with El Pollo Loco (LOCO) on the Bring the Fire contest?<\/p>\n<p>\n          WNBA star Arike Ogunbowale is partnering with El Pollo Loco and its Foundation to promote and support the contest.\n        <\/p>\n<p>        How much did El Pollo Loco donate during the Lancaster High School visit mentioned in the LOCO release?<\/p>\n<p>\n          El Pollo Loco Foundation presented a $10,000 donation to support Lancaster High School\u2019s girls basketball program.\n        <\/p>\n<p>        Where can contestants find official rules for the El Pollo Loco (LOCO) Bring the Fire contest?<\/p>\n<p>\n          Official details and terms are available at ElPolloLoco.com\/BringtheFire.\n        <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"&#13; &#13; El Pollo Loco (NASDAQ: LOCO) and WNBA star Arike Ogunbowale launched the \u201cBring the Fire\u201d contest&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":421665,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[629],"tags":[12201,176646,49,48,97283,176644,176647,176645,7976,82,630,23703],"class_list":["post-421664","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-wnba","tag-arike-ogunbowale","tag-bring-the-fire-contest","tag-ca","tag-canada","tag-community-impact","tag-el-pollo-loco","tag-el-pollo-loco-foundation","tag-loco","tag-restaurant","tag-sports","tag-wnba","tag-youth-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/421664","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=421664"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/421664\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/421665"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=421664"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=421664"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=421664"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}