Denny’s Owner Hires El Pollo Loco Chief

Advantica Restaurant Group Inc. has selected the president of El Pollo Loco to head the South Carolina restaurant company. The new chief executive, Nelson J. Marchioli, joined Irvine-based El Pollo Loco in 1997, when the quick-service, flame-broiled chicken chain was owned by Advantica. The company, which also owns the Coco’s and Carrows chains, sold El Pollo Loco a year ago to focus on its family-dining operations. Now, Advantica is trying to sell FRD Acquisition Co., parent of Coco’s and Carrows, to concentrate on its core Denny’s brand. Marchioli succeeds James B. Adamson, who will remain chairman. He plans to retire at the end of the year. Marchioli will be president and chief executive of Advantica and Denny’s. Marchioli, a 29-year veteran of the restaurant industry, has held a variety of positions at various restaurant firms, including Burger King and General Mills Restaurant Group, now Darden Restaurants. He will assume his new duties next month.