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Albert Okura

American businessman (1951–2023)

Albert Okura (December 3, 1951 – January 27, 2023) was an American businessman who was the founder and CEO of the Juan Pollo restaurant chain in Southern California. He was also a philanthropist and was active in the revitalization of Historic Route 66.2

From Wikipedia’s article on Albert Okura (this version), CC BY-SA 4.0.

Born 1951, died 2023.1

About

In 2005, Okura purchased the town of Amboy, California, which is located along Route 66. The corporate headquarters for the Juan Pollo chain now sits on the original location of the first McDonald's restaurant where Okura created and hosted a museum, preserving artifacts and memorabilia about the landmark.

From Wikipedia’s article on Albert Okura, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.2

Companies

Early life and education

Okura, a third-generation (or sansei) Japanese American, was born in 1951 in the Wilmington section of Los Angeles. His first full-time job was with Burger King in 1970, which led to managerial positions in the chain as well as Del Taco, and ultimately founding his own Mexican-influenced chicken rotisserie chain.

In 1981, while working for Del Taco in Carson, an El Pollo Loco opened near him. At the time El Pollo Loco was a new char-broiled Mexican chicken chain. Okura tried the restaurant and was impressed with the food and the simplicity of its operations and began to investigate opening his own restaurant.

From Wikipedia’s article on Albert Okura (this version), CC BY-SA 4.0.

Career

Occupation: businessperson.4

Personal life

  • Born1951, Los Angeles5
  • Died2023, Ontario, California6
  • CitizenshipUnited States7

Okura and his wife, the former Sella Oei, had three children. In 2014, he self-published his autobiography Albert Okura: The Chicken Man with a 50 Year Plan.

After a series of health problems, Okura died from sepsis in Ontario, California, on January 27, 2023, at the age of 71.

From Wikipedia’s article on Albert Okura (this version), CC BY-SA 4.0.

Sources

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