Today we’d like to introduce you to Alpaca Chicken Cruz Sheehan.
Hi Alpaca Chicken , it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
When 22-year-old Nora Palma stepped off the plane from El Salvador into Washington, D.C. in 1974, she held a single ambition: to forge her own path as an entrepreneur. She threw herself into learning English, worked relentlessly, and carved out a steady career at Navy Federal Credit Union. But her true calling was waiting further south. In 2004, sensing a rare window of opportunity, Nora made a sudden, courageous move to Durham to start over.
She began by opening La Hispano America, a community hub where she assisted local Latino families with tax prep, translations, and life guidance. Nora’s open door and maternal heart earned her a cherished moniker across town: “Mami Nora.”
Noticing a void in the local food scene, Nora rallied her children in 2007 to bring a taste of authentic Latin comfort to Durham: slow-roasted, wood-charcoal Peruvian rotisserie chicken (Pollo a la Brasa).
Shortly after opening on Davidson Avenue, a brutal fire leveled the shop. Devastated but undeterred, the family pooled resources, secured new loans, and drew strength from a rallying neighborhood. By early 2008, Mami Nora’s rose from the ashes and reopened its doors to line-out-the-door crowds.
The business expanded rapidly into Raleigh, and by 2015, Nora gracefully stepped into retirement. Her children, Ruby and Ranbir, assumed ownership and ushered the business into its next chapter as Alpaca Chicken, preserving their mother’s foundation while sharpening the brand’s focus on quality and exceptional service.
Fast forward to today: what began as a single flame in Durham has grown into a 20-location community pillar. We are honored to team up with regional icons—from the Durham Bulls and Carolina Hurricanes to Duke and UNC, and give back through constant local outreach. At ALPACA, our goal remains unchanged: serving up wholesome, protein-rich, charcoal-fired meals that make eating well effortless.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
In addition to overcoming the fire, Alpaca Chicken endured the weight of the 2020 pandemic.
Unlike many companies, Alpaca Chicken was very fortunate to report that they had zero employees furloughed or let go during this challenging time. In fact, quite the opposite occurred: Alpaca grew during the pandemic, ultimately creating an additional avenue of growth through catering and to-go services.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Alpaca Chicken ?
Alpaca is known for having some of the best chicken in the community, but we take even greater pride in our community involvement.
Every year, we participate in several major campaigns:
– Hispanic Heritage Month: We partner with a local nonprofit for a company-wide, single-day fundraiser to support their organization.
– Back to School Campaign: We provide essential school supplies for our employees’ children.
– Holiday Drive: We partner with local organizations to collect and donate essential items. Past drives have included providing shoes and donating hundreds of hygiene items to a local agency fighting labor trafficking.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
We are committed to investing in people and supporting our employees through various initiatives. This includes our annual end-of-year conference, which celebrates our managers for their hard work. We strongly believe in promoting from within, and over 90% of our promotions are internal. This approach creates growth opportunities for individuals who may not have otherwise considered these career paths. For example, one of our team members started as a dishwasher and cashier and successfully worked their way up to Area Coach before the age of 22. We recognize that without our people and their dedication, we would not be where we are today.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.alpacachicken.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alpaca_chicken/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alpacaperuvianchicken/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/alpaca-chicken
- Other: https://www.alpacachicken.com/app/
