The opening of Pollo Campero’s 150th restaurant in the United States confirms the brand’s maturity in one of the world’s most competitive markets. The new location, situated in Victorville, California, builds on more than two decades of operations in the country, characterized by steady and disciplined growth. For CMI Foods, this milestone reflects a long-term vision that prioritizes consumer insight, operational consistency, and a clear value proposition.
For Juan José Gutiérrez Mayorga, President Chairman of CMI Foods and Chairman of the Board of Del Real Foods, the United States represents a natural market for business expansion, particularly when growth is built on accumulated experience, strong local teams, and carefully calibrated strategic decisions.
From Guatemala to the United States: A Sustained Growth Journey
Pollo Campero was founded in Guatemala in 1971 and took its first international step one year later with expansion into El Salvador. Since then, the brand has built an identity associated with flavor, tradition, and Central American pride. In the United States, that value proposition has been progressively adapted to meet the expectations of a diverse and highly competitive consumer market.
The 150th restaurant, inaugurated on February 4, 2026, in Victorville, California, symbolizes that journey. The brand reached the 100-location milestone in September 2024 and, just 15 months later, added 50 new restaurants. This pace reflects consistent execution based on accumulated experience and a careful understanding of the U.S. market.
An Operational Milestone Within CMI’s Strategy
From a corporate perspective, this achievement is part of a $190 million investment plan announced for the United States, with the goal of reaching 250 restaurants by 2027. José Gregorio Baquero, Global CEO of CMI Foods, noted that the opening of the 150th Campero restaurant is the result of the field team’s efforts and the strong appeal of the brand’s value proposition among U.S. consumers.
Juan José Gutiérrez, President Chairman of CMI Foods, has stated that CMI tripled its size over the past decade, driven by business growth throughout Central America and the Caribbean. Beyond the numbers, however, this restaurant represents several key lessons for CMI:
- Validation of a value proposition that resonates with U.S. consumers.
- The ability to sustain an expansion pace of two to three restaurant openings per month.
- The development of experienced local teams with deep market knowledge.
- A strong operational foundation to support additional investments across the United States.
This journey also helps explain strategic decisions such as the acquisition of Del Real Foods, which expanded CMI’s footprint in the U.S. market.
The achievement of 150 Pollo Campero restaurants in the United States reflects a strategy built on patience, market knowledge, and operational focus. This milestone confirms that sustainable growth is achieved through clarity about where to compete, how to compete, and which capabilities are needed to succeed. By balancing regional expertise with strong local execution, CMI continues to strengthen its presence and growth trajectory in the United States.