Why did the chicken cross the continent? To get to new customers on the other side.<\/p>\n
Popular fast-casual grilled chicken restaurant El Pollo Loco<\/a> has signed a lease to open its first-ever East Coast location in New York City, Commercial Observer has learned.\u00a0<\/p>\n SEE ALSO: TekSynap Leases 27K SF at BXP\u2019s Reston Town Center<\/a><\/p>\n El Pollo Loco signed a 10-year lease for 2,400 square feet at 37-07 82nd Street in Jackson Heights, Queens, according to tenant broker Ripco Real Estate<\/a>. It is expected to open in 2027.<\/p>\n The asking rent was not disclosed, but the average asking rent for retail space in Jackson Heights ranges between $45 and $65 per square foot, according to data from<\/a> RI Manhattan Realty.\u00a0<\/p>\n Dillon Ross and Jon Paul Pirraglia from Ripco represented the tenant in this deal.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cBringing El Pollo Loco to New York City marks a defining moment for the brand as it expands into one of the country\u2019s most dynamic retail and restaurant markets,\u201d Ross said in a statement. \u201cJackson Heights offers the exceptional foot traffic, diverse customer base and neighborhood energy that make it an ideal location for El Pollo Loco\u2019s first East Coast restaurant.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Anthony Pastecchi from Kent Realty<\/a> represented the landlord, Hampton Associates<\/a>, in the deal. El Pollo Loco\u2019s new spot will be in the ground-floor retail space along 82nd Street, which was previously occupied by Burger King.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re excited to welcome El Pollo Loco to Jackson Heights for its first East Coast location,\u201d Pastecchi said in a statement. \u201cThe neighborhood\u2019s strong pedestrian traffic, diverse community and thriving retail environment make it an ideal fit for the brand\u2019s New York City debut.\u201d<\/p>\n The chain restaurant, which did not immediately respond to CO\u2019s request for comment, is best known for its Mexican-style grilled chicken. El Pollo Loco has nearly 500 locations across the West Coast, including in California, Arizona, Colorado, Louisiana, Nevada, Texas and Utah.\u00a0<\/p>\n