El Pollo Loco Selects MegaPath’s Managed IP Services to Securely Connect Locations Throughout North America

End-to-End Solution Links 200 Restaurants to Centralized Corporate Resources

MegaPath, the leading provider of Virtual Private Network (VPN) solutions and other managed IP services to businesses nationwide, today announced that El Pollo Loco, the nation’s leading quick-service restaurant chain specializing in flame-grilled chicken, is deploying MegaPath’s Store Connect VPN service to cost effectively support data communications between its restaurants and centralized corporate resources.

“As El Pollo Loco continues to expand across the nation, we look for technology providers that can help us increase restaurant productivity and deliver exceptional guest service,” said Tom Giannetti, Vice President of Information Technology at El Pollo Loco.  “MegaPath’s fully managed secure connectivity services provide our restaurants access to the corporate resources they require, while allowing our headquarters staff to focus on providing tools that our crewmembers can use to build revenues and exceed our guests’ expectations.”

MegaPath is providing El Pollo Loco with the VPN support and data network connectivity required for several critical processes within its restaurants. In addition to delivering the performance and security for sub-second credit and gift card authorization processing, MegaPath provides near real time uploading of store-level transaction data to the central corporate data warehouse.  By providing each location with the highest performance network access in its geographic region, MegaPath is allowing headquarters to better support in-store marketing efforts with point-of-sale system downloads for new marketing promotions and price changes.

As a fully managed network solution, MegaPath handles all router hardware installation and configurations. Outsourcing this activity reduces the internal staffing required to support a 200+ location network that is continuing to expand nationally. It also enables internal El Pollo Loco Information Technology staff to increase levels of IT support and security for its restaurants by making it possible for headquarters to remotely access and control store computer and video surveillance systems.  The MegaPath network also allows El Pollo Loco to perform real-time network monitoring of servers, terminals and other critical “in store” network components.  

“MegaPath’s managed IP and security services enable many leading retail and restaurant chains to gain competitive advantages by efficiently increasing productivity and customer satisfaction,” said Jim Cragg, President and Chief Operating Officer of MegaPath.  “By connecting its headquarters and restaurants using MegaPath’s secure high-performance network services, El Pollo Loco is ensuring that its locations receive the best support available for mission critical applications, including point-of-sale and credit card processing.  This is key to supporting the company’s long term growth and success.”

About El Pollo Loco
El Pollo Loco currently operates 351 restaurants (202 franchised locations and 149 company-owned restaurants), located principally in California, with additional restaurants in Arizona, Nevada, Texas, Colorado, Illinois and Connecticut. Headquartered in Irvine, California, El Pollo Loco, Inc. is a privately held company owned by Trimaran Capital Partners and company management.  For more information about El Pollo Loco, visit the company’s website at www.elpolloloco.com.

About MegaPath
MegaPath is the leading provider of managed IP communications services in North America.  MegaPath leverages its wide selection of broadband connectivity, Virtual Private Networks, Voice over IP (VoIP) and security technologies to enable businesses to lower costs, increase security and enhance productivity.  Businesses of all sizes can easily and securely communicate between their headquarters, branch offices, retail locations, mobile workers, and business partners.

To learn more about why over 18,000 companies have chosen MegaPath’s managed IP data, voice and security services to improve their business communications, visit www.megapath.com or call 1-877-MegaPath (634-2728).