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Influencer Marketing Blog Posts

Content with Spice: How El Pollo Loco Uses Creators To Scale Content that Slays


Updated on December 2, 2024
7 minute read

Spice up your brand with creators 🍗

Published December 2, 2024
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What happens when you mix crispy tostadas, bold toppings, and a squad of TikTok creators? 

For El Pollo Loco, it meant turning their tostada into a social media sensation and driving taste buds everywhere wild.

Their Double Tostada wasn’t just another menu addition; it was the headliner of a full-on party. 

But instead of a typical ad campaign, they let TikTok and Instagram creators do the heavy lifting… with a little help from our team at Later.

Here’s the scoop on how it all unfolded and how you can emulate their success for yourself.

You can read Later & El Pollo Loco's case study here!

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The TikToks That Stole the Show

El Pollo Loco teamed up with creators who truly understood how to make content pop. 

Each creator brought their unique voice, personality, and creative spin to the Double Tostada, making the campaign as diverse and dynamic as their audience.

Here’s a closer look at some of the content that made this tostada the star of every feed:

@AsianChowDown: A Flavorful First Bite

In their video, Asian Chow Down dove right into the bold flavors of the Double Tostada, showcasing the new combinations like Baja shrimp and chicken

The highlight? The creamy cilantro dressing that brought everything together. 

The video focused on the eating experience, from the colorful toppings to that crunchy and satisfying first bite, leaving viewers commenting, “Which one do you prefer? Going to have to give that a try ! 😍😍😍 You made it look delicious! Only going because of this video!!!”

@JenickaLopez: Lunch Date Vibes

Jenicka kept it real, filming straight from her car as she chatted with viewers about her craving for something fresh but satisfying.

“Not just a salad,” she said, before revealing her go-to fix: El Pollo Loco’s Double Tostada with chicken and Baja shrimp. 

She made it feel like you were right there with her, offering you the first bite and crunching through the tostada while raving about the creamy cilantro dressing. The whole vibe was like catching up with a friend over lunch, and it left her followers hungry for more.

@KeilaPacheco: Crunching Through ASMR Gold

Keila kept it simple but oh-so-satisfying. Sitting in her car, she let the Double Tostada do all the talking (or rather, crunching).

No words, just the crisp crackle of the shell and the soft slurp of the creamy cilantro dressing as she enjoyed every bite. 

The video was pure ASMR gold, with viewers replaying it just to hear those sounds again. It was proof that sometimes, a good crunch is worth a thousand words.

@ItsEliSandoval: Fitness Goals with Flavor

Eli approached the Double Tostada as the perfect companion for her fitness journey.

Sitting in her car, she highlighted how the tostada’s protein-packed options, like chicken and Baja shrimp, fit into her priorities. 

Her excitement about balancing healthy choices with bold flavors resonated with viewers, many of whom chimed in with comments about wanting a meal that feels indulgent but aligns with their goals. 

The viewer went away understanding it was fuel for her lifestyle, and it could be for theirs too.

@AyyySebas: Stack it Right

Sebastian brought high energy to his video, diving into El Pollo Loco’s Double Baja Shrimp Tostada.

He playfully broke off pieces of the tostada and showed how to stack toppings to build the perfect bite. 

With every crunch, he made the experience feel interactive and fun, leaving viewers ready to try his technique for themselves. One viewer explained how she was influenced: “Your ad worked. Ya me dio hambre y mañana voy por una 🤩”.

What Made El Pollo Loco’s Campaign Work?

Each creator took the Double Tostada and turned it into something more than just a meal. It became a moment, a mood, a vibe. 

The key was authenticity. Instead of pushing a script, El Pollo Loco let the creators show off the tostada in ways that felt natural to them and their audiences. 

From healthy eating to experiencing the ultimate crunch, the variety kept the campaign fresh and exciting.

The Double Tostada campaign didn’t just trend; it broke records. 

Video views and engagement rates were the highest ever for El Pollo Loco from a product mix perspective, proving that when creativity meets authenticity, the results can be extraordinary.

A key factor in this success was the role of Later simplifying campaign management. 

With Later’s Services team handling everything from sourcing influencers and negotiating contracts to managing creators and reporting results, El Pollo Loco’s marketing team had the freedom to focus on higher-level strategy.

“At El Pollo Loco, we aspire to be at the forefront of culture. Later enables us to partner with diverse voices across platforms to do just that; while also ensuring every dollar is working as hard as possible to drive the best results for our brand and business,’ said Gabe Alonso, VP of Integrated Marketing & Experience at El Pollo Loco

By pairing creative freedom with a well-organized approach, El Pollo Loco turned a tostada into a viral sensation while freeing up their team to think bigger. Now that’s something worth celebrating.

Here's the Recipe for Social Media Success

Want to create your own viral moment? Follow these steps to cook up something your audience won’t be able to resist:

#1: Pick Creators Who “Get It”

El Pollo Loco worked with influencers who truly connected with their brand. It wasn’t about follower count; it was about finding people who could authentically showcase the product in different ways. 

A foodie brought flavor, a fitness influencer brought dietary tips, and an ASMR creator brought chills (the good kind).

#2: Encourage Creativity

Instead of controlling every aspect of the content, El Pollo Loco gave creators the freedom to experiment. This led to a campaign full of diverse, engaging content that reached a wider audience.

#3: Focus on Feelings

The tostada wasn’t just sold as a meal; it was shown as an experience. Whether it was healthy food with flavor, fulfilling cravings, or that satisfying first bite, the content connected emotionally with viewers.

#4: Stay Organized

Handling multiple creators can feel overwhelming, but tools and good planning can help. Because they were prepared, El Pollo Loco managed to coordinate everything smoothly, ensuring each creator felt supported.

#5: Get the Conversation Going

The campaign didn’t just aim for views; it encouraged interaction. Comments, shares, and tags turned passive viewers into engaged fans. Invite your audience to participate and watch the buzz grow.

#6: Scale Content Creation Across Platforms

El Pollo Loco worked with Later Influence to seamlessly scale their content across TikTok and Instagram, ensuring their campaign had maximum impact. 

By managing creator partnerships efficiently and streamlining content distribution, they were able to amplify their message without overwhelming their team.

Ready to Create Your Own Influencer Marketing Magic?

If El Pollo Loco’s Double Tostada campaign has you inspired, it’s time to take the first step toward scaling your own social media strategy. 

Take a look at Later’s Influencer Marketing Services to find influencers, streamline content creation across platforms, and manage every campaign detail, from contracts to performance tracking.

Stop stressing about the day-to-day and start focusing on the bigger picture. Book a demo with Later’s Services team today, and discover how you can turn your next campaign into a viral sensation.

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