Pollo Tropical Planning a Perimeter Paradise

The recently opened Pollo Tropical on Buford Drive in Buford 

Chicken chain looking to open new location.

Miami-based Pollo Tropical is in talks to open a new restaurant on Ashford-Dunwoody Road, across from Perimeter Mall.  The new freestanding restaurant would be built in place of the former DeKalb County police precinct on the triangular parcel at 4453 Ashford-Dunwoody Road.

The restaurant would be adjacent to Starbucks and at the cusp of the Ravinia office complex.  

Alan Kennedy, a director of Hines, who owns the property, spoke to members of the Dunwoody Homeowners Association at a meeting earlier this month and referred to Pollo Tropical as “a higher point of reference than a Panera.” Pollo Tropical is definitely a step above typical fast food, but alluding to it being somehow "better" or more "high end" than Panera would seem to be a stretch.  

If approved, Pollo Tropical would join McDonald's and Chick-fil-A as the only "quick serve" restaurants with drive- thru service in the immediate vicinity of the mall.

Sterling Pointe, currently under construction, and Ravinia Row, proposed, are both likely to bring more casual and full service restaurants to the area.  

In addition to the Dunwoody location, Pollo Tropical is planning a new location in Tucker. The restaurant would be built in an outparcel of the existing Target store at the corner of Northlake Parkway and LaVista Road, just off I-285.  The restaurant would be part of the newly created City of Tucker.   The restaurant and accompanying drive-thru must still receive council approval for the proposed SLUP (Special Land Use Permit).   

Pollo Tropical is also renovating their failed sister restaurant, Cabana Grill, on Scenic Highway in Snellville.  The restaurant, in an outparcel of Lowe's Home Improvement, is expected to reopen as Pollo Tropical in "Winter 2015."  

Pollo Tropical has been expanding its presence since re-entering the Atlanta market in 2011. There are currently nine locations open in Georgia.   Other locations are reportedly in the works in Gainesville, Hiram, McDonough and Newnan.

Are you in favor of Pollo Tropical being approved in the Perimeter Mall area? Where would you like to see the next Pollo Tropical open?  Do you consider Pollo Tropical more high end than Panera?

Please share your thoughts below.