MIAMI-based fast food restaurant Pollo Tropical on Thursday opened a second branch in the food court of the Giftland Mall, Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara. This move to expand, according to Senior Manager, Mauro Leder, is as a result of Guyana’s growing economy and the restaurant sees it very profitable to expand its services. This expansion came a little over a month after the restaurant opened its first branch at Camp and Robb Streets, Georgetown. “We look at Guyana as a thriving economy I think it is growing, it has a lot of opportunities, that’s what see opportunities,” Leder posited.
According to Leder, Guyana has a great market for business and they have customised their services to suit the Guyanese culture and cuisines. “It’s a great market, people love to eat chicken here, but mostly people love to eat fried chicken so we are a healthier option to fried chicken, all of our proteins, pork and chicken are grilled, it is healthy food and our brand is a very tropical brand so it goes well with the Caribbean and Guyanese people,” he said.
In addition to the food being a healthier option, scores of local farmers also benefit from the operations as all of the ingredients, except for the seasoning and spices are sourced locally. This too is in an effort to provide fresh and natural meals to the customers. “We work with the farmers and local vendors, we use local cassava, local plantains, local eddoes, local tomatoes, the chicken is Bounty local chicken, even the rice.”
Over 40 Guyanese have also gained employment at the two branches. Leder also mentioned that the prices are affordable and meet the pockets of a regular middle or low income earner. He described the support from the first branch as good but is confident that it will increase once the building in which it is housed have completed construction and is occupied by other offices.

Pollo Tropical is an international restaurant with several franchises in Latin, Central and South America and the Caribbean. It specialises in Caribbean style food with healthy menu choices like grilled chicken, rice and beans, soups, salads and local favorites, like cassava and plantains.