Driven by the ongoing transformation led by President Nayib Bukele’s government, the Historic Center of San Salvador continues to attract significant private investment and commercial activity. This week, the iconic fried chicken chain Pollo Campero inaugurated a new flagship restaurant in the capital’s heart, a milestone that underscores the area’s safety and economic revitalization. The brand-new branch represents a $2.5 million investment and is set to generate over 50 direct and indirect jobs.
The opening signals a massive shift for the historic district, reversing a decades-long trend where major businesses fled the crime-ridden city center. “This is a reflection of how brands we previously saw leaving the historic center are returning,” highlighted Amanda Carballo, Marketing Director for the Historic Center. She added that private enterprise is playing a transcendental role in the capital’s structural renewal by actively investing in and restoring heritage buildings.
Beyond its economic impact, the new location leans heavily into cultural nostalgia to connect with both local visitors and foreign tourists, including the Salvadoran diaspora. The restaurant features a historical gallery and a prominent mural from the “Árbol de Dios” school, originally founded by the legendary Salvadoran artist Fernando Llort. Ricardo Amaya, Pollo Campero’s brand coordinator, noted that the design brings a unique sense of pride and community closeness to everyone walking through the doors.