Today we’d like to introduce you to Francisco Gomez De La Torre.
Hi Francisco, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I am a Peruvian immigrant who came to the United States 25 years ago in search of a better future for myself and my family. When I arrived, I came alone, leaving behind my wife and my older daughter, Daniela. My first job was as a banquet server at a hotel, and that’s where I fell in love with the hospitality industry. I realized I had what it takes to succeed — a passion for service and a willingness to work hard.
Over the years, I moved often, and with every move came a promotion. Eventually, I became the Director of Events at a hotel in Lancaster. During that time, after seven long years apart, I was finally able to bring my family to the United States. Our second daughter was born here in 2012.
In 2020, when COVID hit, I lost my job. As difficult as that moment was, it also opened the door to a dream I had carried for years: opening my own restaurant. With the support of my family and a few close friends, I found a great location and opened Frisco’s Chicken in October 2020. We are a quick‑service restaurant specializing in Peruvian‑style rotisserie chicken. Frisco’s became successful very quickly — so much so that we opened three additional locations within three years.
But in mid‑2023, things changed. Sales declined across all locations, and without the financial cushion to absorb the losses, we were forced to close every restaurant on July 12, 2024. It was one of the hardest days of my life. I had poured everything into this business — a business I loved from the very beginning.
What happened next was extraordinary. The community’s reaction to our closure was overwhelming. The support, the messages, the encouragement — it was incredible. Because of that support, I created a plan to reopen our original location. I presented it to our landlord, who gave his full support. Thanks to the strong relationships I had built with our vendors, I was able to secure the inventory needed to start again.
On August 1, 2024, Frisco’s Chicken reopened its doors. It felt almost like a miracle.
Since then, I have worked tirelessly to rebuild what we lost. We are approaching two years since reopening, and Frisco’s is once again loved and supported by our community. The gratitude I feel is immense. I am blessed to be here, and I am proud to be part of this community that has stood by us through every chapter.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road has definitely not been smooth. My journey has been full of challenges, sacrifices, and moments where I had to start over from zero. When I first came to the United States, I arrived alone, without money, without English, and without my family. Those early years were some of the hardest of my life — working long hours, learning a new culture, and trying to build a foundation strong enough to bring my wife and daughter here.
Later, when I finally built a career in hospitality and became a Director of Events, I thought I had reached stability. But then COVID hit, and like so many others, I lost my job overnight. That moment forced me to reinvent myself again, and it pushed me to take the risk of opening Frisco’s Chicken.
Starting a restaurant during a pandemic was not easy. We worked nonstop, faced staffing shortages, supply‑chain issues, rising costs — everything you can imagine. And just when we thought we were growing, sales declined across all locations in 2023. Without financial backing, we had no choice but to close every restaurant. That was one of the most painful experiences of my life. I felt like I had failed my family, my employees, and my community.
But even in the hardest moments, there were blessings. The community’s support after our closure was overwhelming. Their encouragement is what gave me the strength to create a plan to reopen our original location. Rebuilding from scratch — again — was not smooth either. It took long days, long nights, and a lot of faith.
Today, almost two years after reopening, we are stronger than ever. The struggles shaped me. They taught me resilience, humility, and gratitude. Nothing about my journey has been easy, but every challenge has made me who I am.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Frisco’s Chicken?
Frisco’s Chicken is more than a restaurant to me — it’s the expression of my culture, my family’s journey, and the community that embraced us. We are a quick‑service restaurant specializing in authentic Peruvian‑style rotisserie chicken, a style known for its deep flavor, slow roasting, and the unique blend of spices that make Peruvian cuisine so special. Our chicken is marinated for 24 hours, roasted over open flame, and served with traditional sides that reflect the flavors I grew up with.
What sets us apart is our commitment to doing things with intention. We don’t cut corners. We focus on quality, consistency, and hospitality — the kind of hospitality that makes people feel like they’re walking into a friend’s home, not just a restaurant. From day one, our goal has been simple: serve great food, treat people with kindness, and create a place where families feel welcome.
We’re known for our rotisserie chicken, but we’re also known for something deeper: our connection to the community. When we closed in 2024, the outpouring of support showed me that Frisco’s had become part of people’s lives. That’s something you can’t buy or manufacture. It comes from years of showing up, caring, and building trust one customer at a time.
Brand‑wise, I’m most proud of the authenticity we’ve maintained. Frisco’s is rooted in my Peruvian heritage, but it’s also shaped by Lancaster — by the people who believed in us, supported us, and helped us rise again. Our brand represents resilience, family, and gratitude. Every meal we serve carries that story.
What I want readers to know is this: Frisco’s Chicken is here because of the community, and everything we do is for the community. We offer fresh, flavorful food made with care, and we strive to give every guest an experience that feels personal. Whether someone is trying Peruvian chicken for the first time or has been with us since day one, we want them to feel the heart behind what we do.
Frisco’s is not just a business — it’s a second chance, a celebration of culture, and a reminder that with hard work and community support, you can rebuild anything.
What makes you happy?
Food makes me happy. I’ve always believed that food is so much more than something we need to survive. Food is culture. Food is community. Food is memory. When we think back on the most important moments of our lives — a birthday, a wedding, a family celebration — we always remember what we ate and who we shared it with.
For me, happiness is found at the dinner table with my family. That moment when we sit down together, talk about our day, laugh, and share a meal — that’s everything. No matter how hard life gets or how busy things are, those moments remind me of why I work so hard. They ground me. They bring me joy. They make me feel complete.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.friscoschicken.com
- Instagram: friscos.chicken
