El Pollo Loco names CFO to new innovation postEl Pollo Loco names CFO to new innovation post

Lisa Jennings

COSTA MESA Calif. El Pollo Loco Inc. on Thursday said the more than 400-unit flame-grilled chicken chain is tweaking its management team to shift focus on innovation to help weather the difficult economic climate.

Joe Stein, who has been the company’s chief financial officer for the past six years, has been named to the newly created position of senior vice president of strategy and innovation. He is charged with the task of leveraging innovation throughout the company with the development of new products, processes and technology, as well as aligning resources around key initiatives.

Filling Stein’s role as CFO is Gary Campanaro, who most recently was chief financial officer at Claim Jumper Restaurants Holdings Corp.

“Today’s challenging business environment, magnified by intense competition in the restaurant industry, demands that we take a thoughtful look at everything we do,” said Steve Carley, El Pollo Loco president and chief executive. “The changes we have made to our senior management team will help position our brand for continued momentum as the economy comes around.”

Contact Lisa Jennings at [email protected].