Another popular fast-food chain closing more stores

The chain closed multiple restaurants without providing any notice to customers.

Feb 25, 2025 - 16:04

Another popular fast-food chain closing more stores

The post-Covid period has been a time of upheaval for fast-food and fast-casual chains.

Big chains, including Burger King and Popeye's, both owned by Restaurants Brands International (QSR) saw hundreds of restaurant closures. Multiple large franchisees failed, forcing companies to either take over those locations, sell them to another operator, or allow them to close.

Once big chains like Boston Market closed entirely while Hooters, Red Lobster, TGI Fridays, and a number of other big names saw restaurants close. BurgerFi found a new owner in bankruptcy while also closing numerous locations.

Covid deserves some of the blame for the overall problems facing the fast-food, fast-casual, and casual-dining restaurant industries. Many of these restaurants were built to serve, at least partially, office workers.

Some of those companies moved to a work-from-home or hybrid model, and many have cut their overall workforce. That left a number of restaurants in locations that no longer made sense.

There are other factors, of course, but people don't travel to go to a Burger King or a Red Lobster. They might grab lunch or dinner there because it's convenient, but when the workforce thinned in many locations, restaurants paid the price.

Fewer office workers means fewer customers for restaurants.
Image source: Shutterstock

Pollo Tropical closing locations

While Pollo Tropical may not be known nationally, it has a large presence in Florida.

"Founded in 1988, Pollo Tropical operates 125 quick-service restaurants throughout Florida and franchises 25 units primarily internationally, with locations in Puerto Rico, Central America, South America and the Bahamas," the chain shared in a press release.

The chain uses a Chipotle-style setup to serve fresh-cooked food.

"Pollo Tropical features a menu with distinct offerings and is well-known for its citrus-marinated chicken, mojo roast pork and sides, all served with a focus on delivering freshness and quality at a compelling value," the chain added.

The company, which was purchased by Authentic Restaurant Brands (ARB) 16 months ago, has closed three corporate-owned locations.

Pollo Tropical has closed its final three restaurants in the Jacksonville area. That generally removes the chain from Northeast Florida.

"The corporate-owned restaurants at 4863 Gate Parkway at the Markets at Town Center, 730 Skymarks Drive in River City Marketplace, and 10989 San Jose Blvd. in Mandarin had their doors closed, windows covered, and signage removed on Saturday," RetailWire reported.

No reason was shared by Pollo Tropical

The only information Pollo Tropical shared was a sign posted in the windows of the closed stores.

“We appreciate our loyal guests. It has been a pleasure to serve you over the years,” read the signs, which were printed on Pollo Tropical stationery.

The signs were very final in their wording.

"This location is permanently closed. We thank you for your understanding," closed the printed message.

Pollo Tropical did not return RetailWire's request for comment.

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The closures leave the chain with most of its location in southern Florida, with some in the central part of the state. These changes do simplify the company's supply chain as its remaining U.S. locations are grouped together in a relatively tight area.

Pollo Tropical used to have five locations in Jacksonville.

All of its U.S. locations are company-owned with one exception.

"We own and operate all our restaurants domestically except for certain 'institutional' licensed restaurants (e.g., college campuses, airports, etc.). We do, however, offer franchises outside the United States," the chain shared on its FAQ page.