Embedded Files
By: Sofia Perales
Perales is depicted here in 1985 in Studio City, Los Angles upon his recent arrival to the U.S
Opening of El Pollo Loco San Pablo, Perales' first franchise location
Introduction
Introduction
My dad immigrated to the U.S from Guadalajara, Jalisco Mexico in order to give us a better life; through El Pollo Loco he found my mom, built our family from the ground up and learned many valuable lessons with this experience.
A large part of my family history has to do with the restaurant business. To be more specific my dad’s involvement with the Mexican chain restaurant El Pollo Loco. As well as the upbringing that came of the immigration status of my parents and how it led to where we are today. Every new Pollo Loco location gives many jobs and new opportunities to all the people within a community as well which allows us to give back.
During an interview with a representative for Diablo Gazette, Perales was asked over his overall experience with the business throughout the years. He said, “I would do it all over because it was the best learning experience. I learned the importance of having a job, making money, and not counting on anybody.”
The American Dream
The American Dream
My dad's story is no different or considered to be an exception from anyone else’s, many other immigrant families go through the struggles of having to build everything from the ground up. Many statistics show that immigrant parents lead to more hard working children than the average full privileged American kid.
Perales in 1997 with my two brothers Anthony & Daniel, Photo by my mom, Olga Lizarraga
Taken by my Tio Beto, my parents at a christmas party in 1990
My tio beto and my dad in July 1996 in their apartment, Taken by their friend
Photo by my Tio Beto in North Hollywood in 1989
To back up this statistic, Muthulingham a daughter of immigrant parents shares how coming from immigrant parents they are given the natural motivation to do better than their parents “So I went to college, I went to medical school, I got married, I had two children, I have a mortgage. I bought a minivan. Check, Check, Check. I worked very, very hard.”
Another example that with hard work anything is capable would be Alvaro Felix who immigrated to the United States from the Dominican Republic and was asked to express what difference it makes to achieve your dreams here in the Unites States rather than any where else in the world. Felix said, “Back home dreams are harder to reach as they do not come so fast. I might have been able to buy a car or a house there but not with the ease and speed I have been able to in the US. The United States is the land of opportunity, if you work hard and put a plan into action, success is just a matter of time.” In order to reach your dreams you must have patience and want it to become into existence as bad at the same time.
An Important statistic from the article would have to be that between the years 2005 and 2050, U.S has estimated that there will be 117 million people in the states due to immigration.
Endless Blessings
Endless Blessings
As our family lives off of and is stabilized due to El Pollo Loco, we continue to help communitites gain the El Pollo Loco experience of touching communities hearts and recognizing the cause of giving opportunities to others, expanding stores allows all of that to happen.
Taken by employee Katalina in 2001 for a local salinas article
Photo by my brother Anthony at El Pollo Loco Monument Blvd. in 2021
Depicted from a documentary of Perales made for him having received a Heritage Award with the company in 2015
Interview with the widely known spanish telivsion network Telemundo in March 2008
During an interview with QSR magazine, Perales was asked over how he has felt with the overall expansion of his franchise business. Perales said, “We’re thrilled to open more restaurant doors in the community and are proud to have the opportunity to provide a fun, family-friendly dining experience.” Expansion of El Pollo Loco locations allows for communities to experience the flavor of Mexican cuisine in an authentically modern manner and bond over it.
As the contributor for a Forbes article on How Franchise businesses Build up Local communities Jeff Bevis suggests franchising “helps promote a sense of neighborhood, more successful small businesses mean more job growth, larger tax bases, better schools and expanded services of our communities, all due to small business growth of which franchises are a significant part.” This definitely allows people to come together and have something to enjoy amongst themsleves that also takes pride in another culture.
A shocking statistic from the first article is that to own and operate a single unit (store) is estimated to be between $770,000 and $2,097,000 which does include a fee to the franchise owner of $40,000.
Success
Success
Overall, my parents worked hard in order to give my brothers and I a better way of life. I will always be grateful for the opportunities that have been presented to my family. Like other immigrant families the smallest things given to us our true blessings. My families involvement with El Pollo Loco has taught me that with hard work, perseverance and passion anything is achievable as long as you try hard enough for something you want. Passion is an important quality to have when doing something, with that any goal is achievable.
Perales teaching how to properly grill chicken, this image is from the same documentary in 2015
My mom as an El Pollo Loco employee in North Hollywood in 1995, photo taken by a friend
Grand Opening of El Pollo Loco Santa Rosa on July 2nd 2018 taken by local Santa Rosa press with my family, people from the city, supervisors and me.
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