El Pollo Loco is a fire-grilled chicken chain serving bowls, burritos, tacos and family meals, founded in Mexico in the 1970s with its first US location opened in Los Angeles in 1980.
Where you order decides which coupons work: print and email codes fail in the app or online, and online codes don't work in restaurants.
El Pollo Loco's founder, Pancho Ochoa, was running a shoe store in 1974 when a family chicken recipe built around a citrus marinade gave him the idea for a restaurant. Within five years he had opened 85 locations across Mexico, and the Los Angeles restaurant that launched the US business is still open. The chain now counts nearly 500 locations after 50 years.
The company says it cooks rather than assembles: each piece of chicken soaks in a citrus-and-spice marinade before 60 minutes on an open flame, guacamole is mashed by hand daily, and the salsas use fresh tomatoes, cilantro and onion. Past the chicken meals, the menu runs to tostadas and salads, quesadillas and nachos, fire-grilled combos, kids meals, snacks and sweets, with a separate catering menu for bigger gatherings.
When shoppers look for El Pollo Loco coupons
El Pollo Loco coupon searches stay fairly even all year: March leads, September trails.
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US Google searches, Oct 2025 to Sep 2026. Search interest, not sales.
Does El Pollo Loco offer a military discount?
Yes. 15% off, up to $1.50, at participating locations; ask the cashier before paying.
More about shopping at El Pollo Loco
Locations
Nearly 500 restaurants after 50 years, serving fire-grilled chicken bowls, burritos, tacos and family meals.
Loco Rewards
App-based; 100 points per $1 at the entry tier, redeemable for free food or up to $10 off an order.
Welcome offer
Joining Loco Rewards in the app or online brings a welcome offer, though its value isn't stated.
Seniors
Guests 60 and older get 10% off, up to $1, at participating locations.
Coupon rules
One discount or coupon per transaction per visit, with no combining and no competitor coupons.
Refunds
Original receipt required, and no refunds more than 14 days after the original purchase.
Gift cards
Sold online or in restaurants; bulk orders over $500 go through the online large-order process.
From El Pollo Loco's own pages, read Sep 29, 2026.
An online coupon code is for app or website orders and won't be accepted at the counter, while printed and emailed codes don't work on app or online orders.
Only one discount or coupon counts per transaction, so pick the bigger one, because the military, first responder and senior discounts can't be combined with a coupon.
Ask the cashier for those before paying, and show a badge if you're not in uniform.
Policies may vary by restaurant.
If your El Pollo Loco code doesn't work
Minimum order: "$20 off Catering Purchases of $100 or More" needs an order of at least $100; "$20 off $100+ Catering Orders" needs an order of at least $100.
Exclusions: Print and email coupon codes do not work for app or online orders, and online coupon codes do not work in restaurants.
Combining offers: One discount or coupon per transaction per visit; coupons and discounts cannot be combined, and competitor coupons are not accepted.
New customers only: The first-order offer (join Loco Rewards in the app or online) does not apply to repeat orders.
Loco Rewards is the standing saving: 100 points per $1 at the entry tier, more at higher tiers, redeemed for free food or up to $10 off an order.
Birthday rewards and personalized offers come with it.
It's open to legal US residents only, and third-party delivery orders earn no points, so order through the app to collect.
Gift cards are sold online and in restaurants, and a lost card can be replaced, with the new one issued in 7 to 10 business days.
El Pollo Loco questions, answered
How can El Pollo Loco coupons be found online?
Joining Loco Rewards in the app or online brings a welcome offer, plus personalized offers later. Online coupon codes only work for app or website orders, not in restaurants.
Do printable El Pollo Loco coupons work online?
Print and email coupon codes don't work for app or online orders. Online codes, for their part, aren't accepted in restaurants.
Can El Pollo Loco coupons be combined?
El Pollo Loco allows one discount or coupon per transaction per visit. Coupons and discounts can't be combined, and competitor coupons aren't accepted.
Does El Pollo Loco give refunds?
Refunds need the original receipt and aren't allowed more than 14 days after the original purchase.
Does El Pollo Loco offer a senior discount?
Guests 60 and older get 10% off, up to $1, at participating locations. Ask the cashier before paying.
Can El Pollo Loco gift cards be refunded?
Gift card and eGift card activations are final, with no refunds or returns. A lost card can be replaced, with a new one issued in 7 to 10 business days.