El Pollo Loco launches Loco Tenders—what’s new?

El Pollo Loco adds “Loco Tenders” nationwide

El Pollo Loco is rolling out a new chicken-tender product line called Loco Tenders, expanding its menu in the chicken tender category. The brand says the tenders hit menus nationwide on April 23, following a preview where the items were shown to attendees at Revolve Festival.

This matters for diners because tenders are one of those restaurant menu segments that often drives repeat orders—so a nationwide launch suggests the chain expects strong demand and wants to broaden “quick bite” choices beyond its core chicken offerings. It also signals continued competition among fast-casual chains that are refreshing their chicken formats to capture customers who may be craving finger-food meals.

What to watch for when trying them

Even with the launch date confirmed, details on seasoning, sauce pairings, or exact portioning weren’t provided in the snippet. But for anyone planning what to order, this type of debut typically means:

• A new featured tender option intended to stand out on the menu
• Limited-time promotional energy around the rollout period
• Potential new dip/sauce pairings that align with the chain’s flavor profile

If you’re a regular at El Pollo Loco, this release is likely to be an easy test item—especially if you usually order meals built around chicken tenders, sides, or shareable starters. For newcomers, it’s a chance to compare the new tenders against the chain’s existing chicken formats and see whether the “tender chat” positioning lives up to the hype.

In short: nationwide availability begins April 23, with the product previewed at Revolve Festival before that.