Core Viewpoint - El Pollo Loco has appointed Robert D Wright and Tana Davila as independent board members effective January 1, 2026, to enhance its leadership team as it aims for growth in existing and new markets [1][3]. Group 1: Board Appointments - Robert D Wright, currently CEO of Potbelly Sandwich Works since 2020, has a background in senior roles at Wendy's, Charley's Philly Steaks, and Domino's Pizza [1][2]. - Tana Davila, chief marketing officer at Dutch Bros Coffee since 2023, has previously held marketing leadership positions at CKE Restaurant Holdings and P.F. Chang's [2]. - The appointments are set to follow the retirements of current board members William "Bill" Floyd and Samuel Borgese on December 31, 2025, with Floyd also stepping down as board chair [3]. Group 2: Leadership Transition - Douglas Babb, a board member since 2018, has been elected to succeed Floyd as chair upon his retirement, bringing experience from his previous role as CEO of Cooper Clinic [4]. - Independent board member Deborah Gonzales will chair the Compensation Committee, while Joe Taylor will chair the Audit Committee, effective upon the retirements of Floyd and Borgese [4].

Core Viewpoint - El Pollo Loco has appointed Robert D. Wright and Tana Davila as independent members of its Board of Directors, effective January 1, 2026, to enhance its growth strategy in existing and new markets [1][2][4]. Group 1: Board Appointments - Robert D. Wright, CEO of Potbelly Sandwich Works, brings significant restaurant industry experience and has successfully expanded Potbelly's footprint and digital platform [2][3]. - Tana Davila, Chief Marketing Officer of Dutch Bros Coffee, has driven brand recognition and sales growth while expanding the brand's presence across the U.S. [3]. - Douglas Babb has been elected as Chairperson of the Board following the retirements of William "Bill" Floyd and Samuel Borgese, effective December 31, 2025 [4][6]. Group 2: Leadership Impact - The new board members are expected to leverage their experience in scaling successful brands to support El Pollo Loco's growth strategy [6]. - The company acknowledges the contributions of retiring board members Floyd and Borgese, highlighting their role in menu innovation and operational excellence [5][7]. Group 3: Company Overview - El Pollo Loco is recognized as the leading fire-grilled chicken restaurant in the U.S., with over 500 locations and a commitment to quality ingredients and innovative meals [7][8]. - The company has been awarded by USA Today as a "Best Restaurant for Quick, Healthy Food" for two consecutive years, reflecting its focus on healthier offerings [7].

Subs, also called grinders, hoagies, heroes, wedges, and a variety of other regional names, are sort of the second official American sandwich, behind the hamburger. They're versatile, as a sub can be a cold sandwich laden with cold cuts, vegetables, mayo, and various spreads, or a hot sandwich, such as a meatball hoagie, chicken parmigiana grinder, or my favorite, a steak and cheese sub. Many would argue that the Philadelphia cheesesteak is the standard setter. "There are a lot of sandwich shops out the ...