Charo Chicken Plans to Grow Through Franchises

Seal Beach-based Charo Chicken, a small chain that specializes in fresh flame-broiled chicken, is planning to expand its presence in Southern California by franchising some of its stores for the first time.

The chain, which has five company-owned stores, opened its first franchise in Los Alamitos recently and has plans to open four more franchises in south Orange County by the end of the year, including one in Lake Forest. The original Charo Chicken opened on Main Street in Seal Beach in 1984.

“My original intention was just to have a few units,” said Moe Bonakdar, president and founder. “I wasn’t thinking about franchising until about six months ago. The chicken sales are much stronger now and increasing every year.

“We want to do basically about 40 units in Southern California, and that includes from Santa Barbara to San Diego,” he said. “Our goal is to do this in the next 4 to 5 years. These would all be franchised.”

The restaurants sell their chicken in plate combinations that include side dishes and tortillas and salsa. They also sell an array of Mexican food, including burritos, quesadillas, tacos and chicken bowls. Bonakdar said he plans to stick to the same simple menu as the chain grows.

In addition to the Seal Beach and Los Alamitos stores, there are two Charo Chickens in Costa Mesa, one in Huntington Beach and one in Long Beach.