When Frisco’s Chicken first opened in 2020, they were uncertain of how the business would fare during such uncertain times. Their projections for the company were “dismal,” as best. But their passion and plans were already put in place, so they decided to move full steam ahead. And boy, are they glad they did! The Peruvian chicken restaurant, currently located at 454 New Holland Ave. in Lancaster, is getting ready to open its second location in Manheim, with more on the way.
“It’s kind of unbelievable. Fransisco and I can’t believe it. Every day we have to kind of pinch ourselves, as corny as that sounds, that we’re living this reality. When we opened, we had dismal projections for ourselves by the time the pandemic happened,” Frisco’s Chicken Partner and Chief Marketing Guru Josh Rinier told What Now Philadelphia. “The outpouring of support from the community was a shocking success for us in the first year.”
The restaurant ended up tripling their original projections and continue to see a 7 to 14 percent growth year-over-year. While a nice surprise, Founder Francisco “Frisco” Gomez De La Torre is well aware of the fruits hard work can produce. He came to the U.S. from Arequipa, Peru with just $300 in a pocket and wound up building a profitable business of his own.
“Lancaster is now my home, and bringing delicious cuisine that is healthy, flavorful, and affordable to the already diverse and rich culinary scenery in Lancaster brings me much satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment,” Gomez De La Torre writes on his website.
The new Manheim location will open this August in Donegal Square at 2101 Strickler Rd. in a 1,000 sq. ft. space with a few indoor seats. The restaurant will employ up to 14 and serve mainly as a takeout and delivery spot. Frisco’s Chicken also has a third location in the works and hopes to franchise in the future.
Frisco’s Chicken serves Peruvian-style rotisserie whole and half chickens made with a flavorful brine of herbs and spices, as well as soy sauce and beer. The chickens are cooked in charcoal ovens imported from Peru. Frisco’s Chicken also offers empanadas, chicken, beef, and veggie bowls, sides like yucca fries or Brussel sprouts, and desserts like tres leches cake and Peruvian flan.
“I think the long-term goal is that we want to be the company that brings this delicious Peruvian food to every corner of the nation,” said Riner.
Learn more about Frisco’s Chicken at friscoschicken.com.
