El Pollo Loco Planning South Idaho Site; Is Twin Falls A Fit?

I was driving by the Twin Falls visitor center recently and passed a darkened, familiar restaurant that was once one of the city's most popular spots for Italian cuisine. Johnny Carino's closed back in January, and the vacant building would make for a great expansion site for a chicken chain that is reportedly eyeing its first Idaho location soon.

I pulled into the former Twin Falls Johnny Carino's parking lot on Wednesday afternoon to see if any updates had been posted to the door that might give locals an idea as to what business might next be leasing the building. The same sign that was posted over three months ago is still taped to the glass.

The Old Johnny Carino's Site at in Twin Falls Would be a Great Expansion Site

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While it hasn't been verified that Twin Falls has an El Pollo Loco coming, the company has released plans to expand into the Gem State, according to globenewswire.com. Boise and Meridian have been mentioned as the leading cities in the race to gain a location of the California-based chicken chain. El Pollo Loco is also expanding into Washington State, according to Fox 13 Seattle.

The old Johnny Carino's site at Canyon Park would be a great potential expansion site too. El Pollo Loco currently has close to 500 locations in the United States.

Would Magic Valley residents be happy if the chain expanded into Twin Falls?