History of Pollo Tropical: From Miami to Caribbean Icon
How brothers Larry and Richard Harris founded a citrus-marinated grilled chicken concept in 1988 that became a South Florida staple.
1988: The Founding in Miami, Florida
Pollo Tropical was founded in 1988 by brothers Larry and Richard Harris in Miami, Florida. Driven by a passion for Latin-American cooking and citrus-marinated poultry, they spent months perfecting a signature marinade featuring fresh citrus juices and Caribbean herbs.
The TropiChop Revolution
In the 1990s, Pollo Tropical introduced the TropiChop® bowl, allowing customers to customize fresh grilled chicken over rice and black beans. This item quickly became the brand's flagship order.
Expansion & Parent Company
Pollo Tropical expanded rapidly across Florida, Puerto Rico, and international franchise territories. Today, it operates under Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc., serving millions of guests annually.