Jacksonville Bids Farewell to Pollo Tropical

News Summary

The last three locations of Pollo Tropical in Jacksonville have permanently closed, leaving fans of the beloved chain without access to its signature dishes. The closure affects restaurants in River City Marketplace, Markets at Town Center, and Mandarin. Established in 1988, Pollo Tropical was known for its Latin-inspired cuisine, but recent ownership changes have led to this surprising development. While the Jacksonville locations are gone, Pollo Tropical continues to operate in other parts of Florida.

Jacksonville Says Goodbye to Pollo Tropical

In a surprising twist, the last three locations of Pollo Tropical in Jacksonville have officially closed their doors, leaving the residents of Northeast Florida without access to the beloved Miami-based quick-service chain. Renowned for its mouth-watering, 24-hour citrus-marinated chicken and an assortment of Latin-inspired dishes, the closure has left many locals wondering what went wrong.

The Chain That Brought a Flavorful Twist

Established in 1988, Pollo Tropical gained immense popularity by offering delightful interpretations of traditional Cuban and Latin American cuisine. From their famous slow-roasted mojo pork to sizzling black beans and rice, the chain certainly had its fair share of fans. However, as of late last week, the River City Marketplace, the Markets at Town Center, and the Mandarin locations have embraced permanent closure.

Where Were These Locations?

Curious about the specific locations? The restaurants were nestled in three local hotspots:

• 730 Skymarks Drive in River City Marketplace
• 4863 Gate Parkway at the Markets at Town Center
• 10989 San Jose Blvd. in Mandarin

Open for a combined total of over a decade, these establishments boasted their own unique charm:

• The River City Marketplace location opened its doors in May 2012.
• The Markets at Town Center welcomed customers in November 2010.
• The Mandarin spot began serving its loyal patrons in September 2011.

As customers approached the glass doors at the Mandarin restaurant, they were greeted with signs indicating permanent closure while also expressing gratitude to the community for their loyalty over the years.

What Happened?

Details surrounding the abrupt closure remain murky. A customer service representative confirmed the closing took place late last week, but unfortunately, no explanation was shared regarding the sudden exit. This news follows closely on the heels of Pollo Tropical’s acquisition by Authentic Restaurant Brands (ARB), which added the chain to its growing list of franchise holdings.

A Shift in Ownership

Back in October 2023, Authentic Restaurant Brands purchased Fiesta Restaurant Group, Pollo Tropical’s parent company, for a hefty sum of $225 million. This acquisition aimed to enhance the brand’s operations and explore opportunities for growth in more flourishing markets across Florida. However, the sudden closures paint a complex picture as the chain had previously boasted five locations in Jacksonville; now, they’ve vanished into thin air.

Additionally, it is worth noting that the groundwork has been laid for a new Panda Express to take over the Atlantic Blvd location that Pollo Tropical once occupied, with renovations set to exceed $1.26 million.

Looking Ahead

Despite the closures in Jacksonville, Pollo Tropical does still have a robust presence across Florida, with 125 locations mainly concentrated in South and Central Florida. Under ARB’s leadership, the company has reportedly seen a significant rise in late-night customer visits, boasting a remarkable 70% increase since the acquisition.

As ARB plans to evaluate its portfolio to understand its growth potential, fans of Pollo Tropical might find consolation in the chain’s ongoing activities in other areas of Florida. While locals in Jacksonville may have to wait and see what unfolds, the absence of their beloved spot certainly leaves a void.

Will Pollo Tropical return to Jacksonville in the future? Only time will tell! For now, fans of Latin-inspired cuisine might have to seek out new eateries to satisfy their cravings.

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Additional Resources

• Jacksonville.com: Pollo Tropical Abruptly Closes
• Jax Daily Record: Pollo Tropical Closes Its Jacksonville Restaurants
• WOKV: Pollo Tropical Flies the Coop
• First Coast News: Pollo Tropical Closes Last Three Jacksonville Restaurants
• Wikipedia: Pollo Tropical