MIAMI, Dec. 3, 2014 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Pollo Tropical, Florida’s beloved fast-casual concept known for its citrus-marinated, flame-grilled chicken and array of authentic sauces and sides, continues its Texas expansion in December with the opening of its third Houston-area restaurant near the Galleria at 6522 Westheimer Road.

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The restaurant’s grand opening celebration will be from 9 a.m.-8 p.m. on Dec. 19. Festivities will include calypso music, a proclamation by local officials and a robosurfer challenge, where contestants will compete for first- and second-place prizes of $500 and $300 for their favorite charity. One lucky guest will win Free Chicken for a Year*, and the first 100 guests will receive a coupon for a free Create Your Own Family Meal, redeemable on a future visit.

Pollo Tropical opened its first Houston-area restaurant in Pearland in July, followed by the Tomball restaurant in October. The new Houston location will be the first one inside city limits.

“Pearland and Tomball residents have embraced the uniquely tropical, fresh, hand-prepared foods that Pollo Tropical brings to their communities,” said Pollo Tropical Chief Operating Officer Danny Meisenheimer. “Because the Galleria area is a citywide destination, our new Westheimer Road location will offer more people from all around the chance to experience Pollo Tropical.”

Pollo Tropical’s menu is a melting pot of culinary cultures, featuring the distinctive, bold and tangy flavors of the Caribbean. Savory island spices, mixed herbs and citrus are blended into rubs and marinades that enhance the flavors of fresh vegetables, pork, beef and signature chicken dishes. The company has built a loyal following for its fresh, never frozen, bone-in chicken that is marinated in tropical fruit juices and spices and then flame-grilled to perfection and served quartered or halved.

Guests can choose options that include Create Your Own TropiChops^®, sandwiches, salads, wraps, platters, kids meals and family meals. In addition to its signature bone-in chicken, Pollo Tropical offers boneless, skinless grilled chicken breasts, Mojo Roast Pork, Calypso Beef and Grilled Tropical Wings. Made-from-scratch sides include rice, beans, yuca with garlic sauce, sweet plantains and many more. The restaurant uses ingredients without added trans fats or hormones.

Pollo Tropical’s famous Saucing Island brings on the flavor – and a little heat – with 10 signature sauces, including Curry Mustard, Guava BBQ, Pineapple Rum, Cilantro Garlic and Spicy Poyo-Poyo. The sauces allow diners to further customize their meals and tempt their taste buds with craveable, zesty, tropical flavors.

To complement its menu, Pollo Tropical also offers diners a variety of island-inspired beverages, ranging from a selection of Caribbean beers to coconut water and popular Refrescas in tropical breeze, mango peach and superfruit punch flavors. Diners can add rum for a tropical cocktail or enjoy a Cuba Libre made with Coca-Cola^® and a fresh squeeze of lime.

Guests can watch as fresh food is prepared all day in the restaurant’s open kitchen. The 3,400-square-foot restaurant will feature a design influenced by tropical blues and greens, island-inspired lighting and plants, indoor and outdoor seating for 90+ with limited table service, and a convenient drive-thru.

To serve its guests, the Westheimer restaurant plans to hire more than 40 hourly team members. The company is actively recruiting for all positions and is accepting applications at http://pollotropical.com/careers/job-postings/.

Guests can get a coupon for either a buy one, get one free small TropiChop or $3 off a family meal by signing up for the Pollo Reward$^® loyalty program.

*Complete details including contest rules, odds of winning and eligibility can be found online at www.pollotropical.com/community.

About Pollo Tropical
Pollo Tropical, a subsidiary of Fiesta Restaurant Group^®, is a Caribbean-inspired fast-casual concept known for its fresh, flame-grilled chicken marinated in a proprietary blend of tropical fruit juices and spices, as well as authentic, made-from-scratch side dishes, soups, salads and wraps. The Miami-based company, founded in 1988, currently owns and operates more than 120 locations in Florida, Georgia, Tennessee and Texas. There are also five licensed restaurants located on college campuses and more than 30 franchised locations throughout the Caribbean, Central America, South America and Puerto Rico. For more information on Pollo Tropical, including employment opportunities, menu and nutritional information as well as information about international franchising, visit Pollo Tropical’s website at www.pollotropical.com.

About Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc.
Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc., owns, operates and franchises Pollo Tropical, Taco Cabana^® and Cabana Grill^® restaurant brands. The brands specialize in the operation of fast-casual, ethnic restaurants that offer distinct and unique flavors with broad appeal at a compelling value. The brands feature made-from-scratch cooking, fresh salsa bars, drive-thru service and catering. For more information about Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc., visit the corporate website at www.frgi.com.

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