Price Increases at El Pollo Loco from 2002 to 2013

The drive-thru photos below are from 2002 and 2013. They are literally a snap shot of the food prices at El Pollo Loco, and illustrate the price increases in that time period. Please scroll down past the images to read my summary of the changes and an analysis.

Above: Entire El Pollo Loco Drive Thru Menu from 2002.

Above: Detail from El Pollo Loco Menu from 2002.

Above: Entire El Pollo Loco Drive Thru Menu from 2013.

Above: Detail from El Pollo Loco Menu from 2013.

I apologize for the illegible photos from 2002. Digital cameras have come a long way since then.

The menu boards in California now often include calorie counts. This drive thru menu doesn't have them. I'm not sure why. On the 2013 menu, many more items, almost everything but the value menu, is shown with a photograph. The menu now uses black lettering on a white background. Also, the prices went up.

The El Pollo Loco 3 Piece Chicken Combo went up either $2.10 or $3, depending on your choice of chicken parts.

The 12 Chicken Pieces went up $9. $9!

The Tostada salad went up $1.30.

The sodas went up 25¢-40¢, not bad.

The price increases at El Pollo Loco are not terribly loco, compared to other fast food. The $9 increase on a 12-piece chicken meal is shocking. I've seen higher percentage increases over this time period, but because the price of the meal is so high, the increase is jarring.

More Drive Thru Menu Price Comparisons:
Introduction | McDonalds | Taco Bell | Carl's Jr. | In 'n Out | Burger King | El Pollo Loco | Wendys