Fiesta Restaurant Group said today it is closing its four remaining company owned Pollo Tropical restaurants in San Antonio, citing 'ongoing uncertainty in south Texas,' including the effects of Hurricane Harvey, as well as 'limited awareness of the Pollo Tropical brand,' News Radio 1200 WOAI reports.
Fiesta Restaurant Group also owns Taco Cabana.
"Up to two of the closed south Texas restaurants may be rebranded as Taco Cabana restaurants where Taco Cabana has strong brand affinity and awareness," Fiesta said in a statement provided to 1200 WOAI news. "Where possible, employees impacted by restaurant closures will be offered positions at nearby restaurants."
Pollo Tropical has had trouble getting a foothold in the super competitive Texas Tex-Mex fast-casual dining industry. Earlier this year, Fiesta announced it was closing all of its Pollo Tropical outlets in Austin and Dallas Fort Worth. That amounted to a total of forty outlets.
Today's announcement means all six Pollo Tropicals in south Texas will close.
Fiesta says Pollo Tropical restaurants in Florida, which is its strongest market, will stay open.
IMAGE; POLLO TROPICAL