El Pollo Loco Unwraps Holiday Cheer With “12 Days of Pollo”
El Pollo Loco is ringing in the holiday season with the return of its fan-favorite “12 Days of Pollo” celebration. Through December 12, Loco Rewards members can enjoy a fresh deal each day, featuring specials on everything from burritos and quesadillas to their signature fire-grilled chicken meals. Now in its fourth year, the promotion is designed to make the season more flavorful and festive for loyal guests.
According to Chief Marketing Officer Jill Adams, “Our ‘12 Days of Pollo’ is a beloved annual tradition for our Loco Rewards Members, and this year we’ve added a few special surprises to provide even more value to our fans. This initiative is more than just a way to celebrate the season – it’s our way of giving back to our loyal guests with flavorful meals that fuel holiday festivities and bring families and friends together. That’s the true spirit of the holidays.”
The celebration includes daily offers such as BOGO burritos and quesadillas, discounted family meals, bonus rewards points, and more. A charitable twist has also been added. On Giving Tuesday, the El Pollo Loco Foundation will contribute $2 from every $10 Classic Tostada Combo redeemed to No Kid Hungry, up to $15,000. Fans can also follow along on social media as the brand unveils a playful new character, the “Chicken in the Kitchen,” who will share surprises and giveaways throughout the event.
Learn more here.
Wingstop Celebrates Rapid Growth With 3,000th Global Restaurant
Wingstop has officially opened its 3,000th restaurant worldwide, marking a major achievement as the company continues its push toward becoming a Top 10 Global Restaurant Brand with a target of more than 10,000 locations. The milestone reflects the brand’s fast-paced expansion and its growing presence across the globe. Over the past two years, Wingstop has opened nearly 800 new restaurants, boosting its international footprint by 50%. The company entered six new markets, Australia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Puerto Rico, Saudi Arabia, and the Netherlands, bringing its operations to 47 U.S. states and 15 countries. Wingstop also expects to launch in Thailand, Italy, and Ireland soon, reinforcing its ambitious long-term growth strategy.
Wingstop President and CEO, Michael Skipworth, said, “With a record pipeline of sold restaurant commitments, Wingstop shows no sign of slowing down. We’ve scaled from 2,000 to 3,000 restaurants in just over two years, with proven runway in our domestic and international businesses. This milestone demonstrates the strength of our brand, the whitespace ahead and the global craving for Wingstop's bold flavor.”
Wingstop’s growth continues to be driven by industry-leading financial returns and strong franchisee engagement, with more than 70 partners expanding their portfolios in just the last quarter.
Read all about it here.
Shopping Report Shows AI Is the New Holiday Shopping Powerhouse
First Insight’s 2025 Holiday Shopping Report reveals a major shift toward AI-enabled shopping, with consumers increasingly relying on both social media and intelligent tools to guide their holiday purchases. More than half of shoppers plan to use social platforms for inspiration and deals, and nearly four in ten expect AI to streamline their gift-buying process. Among those using AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude, 68% say they will complete purchases directly through them, a trend led heavily by Gen Z, 73% of whom plan to use AI from product discovery all the way through checkout.
First Insight CEO Greg Petro said, “This holiday season marks the moment AI truly enters the shopping aisle. Consumers aren’t just using it to search — they’re buying through it. At the same time, they’re more cautious about spending, focusing on price, value, and convenience. Retailers that listen to their customers and adapt quickly to these new buying behaviors will be the ones building loyalty that lasts long after the holidays.”
Budget consciousness is shaping this year’s holiday behavior, driving demand for personalized recommendations and value-focused shopping. Most consumers (74%) plan to spend the same or less than last year, with many (41%) buying fewer items and actively hunting for discounts (23%) of at least 15%. Meanwhile, gift cards are rising in popularity as a budgeting tool, with 68% of consumers saying they plan to buy them this year. Consumers also show growing concerns about shipping delays, with a majority (86%) willing to pay for shipping to ensure on-time delivery.
Unlock full insights from the report here.
Original Article Links:
El Pollo Loco Brings Back ’12 Days of Pollo’ Holiday Celebration
Wingstop Opens 3,000th Restaurant, Showcasing Strength in Development
68% of Holiday Shoppers Using AI Plan to Buy Directly Through It, More Than On Social Media