THE PONKO STORY

The moment Chairman & CEO, Dr. Patrick Sallarulo, sampled his first PONKO Chicken Tender, he was hooked. Initially a small, one location establishment, Dr. Sallarulo, a medical professional, not only immediately recognized the quality and health-conscious ingredients that he so enjoyed eating, but as a businessman, he saw PONKO’s remarkable potential.

The famous expression, “he liked it so much he bought the company,” held true for Dr. Patrick Sallarulo and PONKO Chicken. In addition to being a medical professional, Dr. Sallarulo has held offices and chairmanships on boards of over 25 corporations and associations, and he currently sits on the boards of six organizations. As a former cost accountant and controller, a current chief financial officer, and successful businessman in his own right, Dr. Sallarulo brought a wealth of business knowledge and experience to PONKO. In the fall of 2017, the flagship PONKO location in Chamblee, GA opened, and the concept was immediately greeted with an emphatically positive reception and rave reviews.

PONKO Chamblee has surpassed and continues to exceed all expectations. In 2018, Dr. Sallarulo decided to take this unique concept to the masses by offering the opportunity to franchise. The first PONKO Chicken franchise location opened its doors in Midtown, Atlanta in 2019 and soon after franchises were opened throughout the Atlanta metropolitan area. As one of the most awarded Chicken Restaurants in the South, PONKO’s buzz is expanding! The next location to open, in Newnan, GA, will be the first PONKO Chicken drive-thru, with several more franchises slated to open over the coming years.