El Pollo Loco wanted a brighter, brand-forward headquarters with a full test kitchen and room for a hybrid team. Sym8 led a fast, focused search – test fitting four locations, including their existing space – to validate infrastructure, flow, and brand impact before a lease decision. The Met emerged as the clear choice, offering two connected floors and the canvas for a dramatic, two-story arrival. Sym8 paired engineering precision with expressive design: an iconic stair graphic inspired by the smokestack motif, layered environmental graphics, curated display zones, and coordinated signage. Existing lighting was thoughtfully repurposed, and inherited workstations were refreshed to elevate look and budget. Behind the scenes, Sym8 worked with engineering to route grease waste down eleven floors and a dedicated rooftop exhaust – enabling a true high-rise test kitchen. The result: a bold, efficient, fully branded headquarters.