El Pollo Loco and Arike Ogunbowale Team Up to Fuel Youth Sports

COSTA MESA, CA – January 20, 2026 – El Pollo Loco, the national fire-grilled chicken restaurant chain, announced today a major partnership with WNBA superstar Arike Ogunbowale to launch the “Bring the Fire” contest. The initiative, funded through the El Pollo Loco Foundation, aims to provide vital support to under-resourced school sports teams across the country, awarding five teams with $2,000 each for much-needed equipment, gear, or facility upgrades.

This collaboration leverages the platform of a celebrated athlete and the resources of a major corporation to address a growing, often silent, crisis in youth athletics. The contest, which runs from January 20 through February 19, 2026, invites communities to nominate deserving teams via social media, shining a spotlight on both the needs and the passions that drive student athletes.

A Partnership with Purpose

The collaboration between El Pollo Loco and Arike Ogunbowale is rooted in a shared commitment to community uplift. Ogunbowale, a dynamic guard for the Dallas Wings, is not just a force on the court but also a dedicated advocate for youth and education. Her philanthropic efforts are well-documented; in July 2023, she received the WNBA Cares Community Assist Award for her extensive work in education reform and empowering young female athletes. As the daughter of two educators, her passion for supporting schools is deeply personal. Her initiatives have included renovating a teacher’s lounge at an Arlington, Texas elementary school where 95% of students are from economically disadvantaged backgrounds and serving as “Principal for a Day” to better understand the challenges facing Title I schools.

“School sports are such a powerful source of confidence and community for young athletes, but not every school has the resources to replace equipment or maintain facilities — and that shouldn’t be a barrier to participation or success,” said Arike Ogunbowale. “I’m proud to partner with El Pollo Loco and the El Pollo Loco Foundation to help remove those barriers so student athletes can focus on having fun, building confidence, teamwork, and a love for the game.”

For El Pollo Loco, this initiative is an extension of its long-standing community support system, primarily channeled through its foundation. The El Pollo Loco Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charity, focuses on providing necessities to those in financial need. This new contest builds on programs like “Pollo with Purpose,” a food donation initiative launched in 2019 with a goal of donating 500,000 pounds of food annually.

“Thanks to the El Pollo Loco Foundation, supporting the communities we serve goes beyond our restaurants,” said Jill Adams, Chief Marketing Officer at El Pollo Loco. “Partnering with Arike, whose leadership and passion for uplifting underserved youth is evident in everything she does, is a true embodiment of what we aim to achieve in our communities. Her commitment to her community aligns perfectly with our foundation’s mission to support the youth in the communities we serve.”

Addressing a Critical Need in School Athletics

While a $10,000 total prize may seem modest, it represents a critical lifeline for programs struggling within a system of chronic underfunding. Across the United States, high school athletic directors consistently cite budget cuts and financial strain as their primary concerns. These cuts have tangible consequences: aging equipment, deteriorating uniforms that sometimes violate safety and league policies, and crumbling facilities.

Research highlights a widening equity gap in youth sports. A 2023 report from the Aspen Institute noted that as youth sports become increasingly privatized, public schools remain one of the last bastions for ensuring equitable access. However, with athletic programs often deemed “extracurricular” and not specifically earmarked in public education budgets, they are frequently forced to self-fund through fundraisers or grants. This financial pressure disproportionately affects students from low-income families, who may lack the personal transportation or funds for fees that are increasingly necessary for participation.

The pandemic exacerbated these issues, with the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) reporting budget cuts of 20-50% for many programs. While some federal relief funds provided temporary aid, schools now face rising operational costs for everything from referee fees to transportation, leaving many athletic departments in a precarious financial state. In this context, initiatives like “Bring the Fire” are more than just charity; they are a targeted injection of resources that can mean the difference between a team having safe equipment or not playing at all.

The Playbook for Authentic Brand Engagement

Beyond its philanthropic impact, the “Bring the Fire” contest represents a savvy strategic move for El Pollo Loco. As the company celebrates its 50th anniversary and eyes national expansion, it is engaging in what industry analysts call “low-cost, high-visibility storytelling.” Instead of simply purchasing ad space, the brand is fostering authentic community engagement and building goodwill.

The partnership with an athlete like Arike Ogunbowale, whose personal story and philanthropic track record align perfectly with the campaign’s message, lends credibility and authenticity that money alone cannot buy. This approach allows the brand to connect with consumers on a deeper level, aligning itself with values of community, perseverance, and youth empowerment.

The contest’s social media-driven entry mechanism is also strategic, generating user-created content that tells powerful, emotional stories. Each video nomination serves as a testament to the importance of school sports and amplifies the brand’s message organically. This model of targeted, authentic CSR differentiates El Pollo Loco from competitors whose community involvement might be limited to more generic sponsorships.

The idea for this national contest was sparked by a recent, successful local event. Ogunbowale and El Pollo Loco surprised the girls’ basketball team at Lancaster High School in Texas with a spirited game of P-O-L-L-O and a $10,000 donation from the foundation. The excitement and positive impact of that single donation inspired the brand to scale the concept nationwide, allowing it to support even more communities.

How Teams Can ‘Bring the Fire’

Nominating a team for the contest is designed to be straightforward and accessible. The process is as follows:

1. Record a Video: Create a short video explaining which school sports team is being nominated, why the team deserves to win, and how they would use the $2,000 prize.
2. Post on Instagram: Share the video on a public Instagram account.
3. Tag and Follow: In the caption, include the hashtags #EPLfire and #Contest. Entrants must also follow both the official El Pollo Loco account (@elpolloloco) and Arike Ogunbowale’s account (@arike_ogunbowale).

The contest is open for submissions through February 19, 2026. The five winning teams will be selected and announced in mid-March on El Pollo Loco’s Instagram page. For complete details and the official Terms & Conditions, participants can visit ElPolloLoco.com/BringtheFire. This initiative provides a platform for coaches, parents, and students to advocate for their teams and share the powerful stories of resilience that define school sports today.