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El Pollo Loco names chief people officerEl Pollo Loco names chief people officer

Former Estee Lauder executive Jennifer Jaffe tapped for newly created role

Nancy Luna, Senior editor, Nation's Restaurant News

August 28, 2018

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Courtesy of El Pollo Loco

Costa Mesa, Calif.-based El Pollo Loco has named Estée Lauder veteran Jennifer Jaffe to the newly created role of chief people officer.

Jaffe, who will start Aug. 30, will also carry the title of senior vice president.  At Estée Lauder, she oversaw human resources functions during company’s acquisition of beauty brand Too Faced in 2016. Jaffe has also held executive human resources and talent development positions at AT&T and DIRECTV.

Jennifer Jaffe

Photo: El Pollo Loco

Jen_Jaffe_headshot-el-pollo-loco.pngShe will oversee all H.R. functions at El Pollo Loco while working with “management to transform and accelerate the company’s focus on developing a people-first culture,” the company said.

Bernard Acoca, CEO of parent El Pollo Loco Holdings Inc., said the chain is thrilled to have Jaffe spearhead new initiatives at the brand in this new role.

“Jennifer brings the visionary and authentic leadership needed to help us create a truly amazing culture for our people, who in turn will continue to give our customers the best food and the best experience possible,” he said in a statement.

Jaffe said she is excited to join a company focused on “creating an authentic, transparent and people-first culture.”

“El Pollo Loco’s mission is centered on the idea of putting its people’s needs and considerations first in everything the company does, and I look forward to playing a role in fostering that very important mission,” she said in a statement.

El Pollo Loco, which specializes in flame-grilled chicken, has more than 470 locations.

Contact Nancy Luna at [email protected]

Follow her on Twitter: @FastFoodMaven

About the Author

Nancy Luna

Senior editor, Nation's Restaurant News

Nancy Luna is a senior editor at Nation's Restaurant News and a contributing editor at Supermarket News. She covers the industry's largest and most talked about fast-food brands including McDonald's, Starbucks, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, KFC and Subway. She is an award-winning journalist with more than 25 years reporting experience. As a veteran business reporter based in Southern California, Nancy has covered some of the country's most beloved food and retail brands including In-N-Out, Taco Bell, Trader Joe's, Aldi, Whole Foods Market, Target and Costco. Luna is a graduate of Cal State Fullerton. When she's not digging for news on her beat, you can find Nancy regaling her fans about her latest dining adventures on her Fast Food Maven social media channels. Contact [email protected]  or follow her on Twitter at https://twitter.com/fastfoodmaven

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