El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc.
- Open
- 15.20
- Day high
- 15.40
- Day low
- 15.10
- Prev close
- 15.33
- Volume
- 149K
- Mkt cap
- $488M
- P/E (TTM)
- 13.6
- EPS (TTM)
- $1.13
- P/B
- 1.5
- P/S
- 1.0
- Yield
- —
- Per share
- —
- ▼Insiders net selling -$7.1M over the last 3 months (0 open-market buys, 15 sales)
- 🏛Institutions accumulating (13F)
El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. (LOCO) is a Consumer Cyclical company listed on NASDAQ. The stock is up 48% over the past year. Over the trailing 3 months, insiders filed 0 open-market buys and 15 sales (SEC Form 4).
El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. (LOCO) financials & analyst ratings
Fundamentals (TTM)
Analyst consensus · 2 analysts
Source: exchange market data + company filings. Figures are trailing-twelve-month or as most recently reported. For informational purposes only — not investment advice.
LOCO earnings date, history & EPS estimates
| Report date | EPS est | EPS actual | Surprise | Revenue | Rev. surprise |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 6, 2026 | $0.28 | $0.30 | +7.8% | $130M | -0.6% |
| May 7, 2026 | $0.22 | $0.28 | +27.3% | $126M | +3.4% |
| Mar 12, 2026 | $0.20 | $0.25 | +24.6% | $124M | +0.8% |
| Oct 30, 2025 | $0.23 | $0.27 | +17.4% | $122M | -0.5% |
| Jul 31, 2025 | $0.25 | $0.28 | +12.0% | $126M | +0.8% |
| May 1, 2025 | $0.20 | $0.19 | -5.0% | $119M | +0.8% |
| Mar 6, 2025 | $0.14 | $0.20 | +42.9% | $114M | +1.0% |
| Oct 31, 2024 | $0.17 | $0.21 | +23.5% | $120M | +6.3% |
| Aug 1, 2024 | $0.21 | $0.26 | +23.8% | $122M | +1.5% |
| May 2, 2024 | $0.14 | $0.22 | +57.1% | $116M | +4.6% |
| Mar 7, 2024 | $0.16 | $0.16 | +0.0% | $112M | +2.9% |
| Nov 2, 2023 | $0.18 | $0.19 | +5.6% | $120M | +8.9% |
LOCO insider trading activity (SEC Form 4)
| Date | Insider | Type | Shares | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 11, 2026 | BIGLARI, SARDAR10 percent owner | Sell | 550 | $17.06 |
| Aug 5, 2026 | BIGLARI, SARDAR10 percent owner | Sell | 40,000 | $16.90 |
| Aug 5, 2026 | BIGLARI, SARDAR10 percent owner | Sell | 10,000 | $16.73 |
| Jul 31, 2026 | BIGLARI, SARDAR10 percent owner | Sell | 3,306 | $16.71 |
| Jul 31, 2026 | BIGLARI, SARDAR10 percent owner | Sell | 3,305 | $16.71 |
| Jul 31, 2026 | BIGLARI, SARDAR10 percent owner | Sell | 273 | $16.70 |
| Jul 21, 2026 | BIGLARI, SARDAR10 percent owner | Sell | 11,000 | $16.71 |
| Jul 16, 2026 | BIGLARI, SARDAR10 percent owner | Sell | 1,211 | $16.73 |
| Jul 16, 2026 | BIGLARI, SARDAR10 percent owner | Sell | 2,749 | $16.70 |
| Jul 16, 2026 | BIGLARI, SARDAR10 percent owner | Sell | 6,533 | $16.71 |
| Jul 14, 2026 | BIGLARI, SARDAR10 percent owner | Sell | 75,000 | $16.74 |
| Jul 6, 2026 | BIGLARI, SARDAR10 percent owner | Sell | 132,421 | $17.27 |
| Jul 6, 2026 | BIGLARI, SARDAR10 percent owner | Sell | 9,525 | $16.92 |
| Jun 30, 2026 | BIGLARI, SARDAR10 percent owner | Sell | 22,600 | $16.91 |
| Jun 30, 2026 | BIGLARI, SARDAR10 percent owner | Sell | 100,000 | $16.75 |
Source: LOCO SEC Form 4 filings, latest Aug 11, 2026. For informational purposes only — not investment advice.
See the full LOCO insider & 13F page →El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. company profile
Overview
El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:LOCO) is a fast-casual restaurant chain specializing in fire-grilled chicken and Mexican-inspired cuisine. Founded in 1975 and headquartered in Costa Mesa, California, the company went public in 2014 following its transformation from Chicken Acquisition Corp. El Pollo Loco operates approximately 480 restaurants across six states, with a mix of company-operated locations (189) and franchised units (291), primarily concentrated in California, Nevada, Arizona, Texas, Utah, and Louisiana, plus one licensed location in the Philippines.
Business
El Pollo Loco operates in the quick-service restaurant (QSR) industry, positioning itself in the fast-casual segment that bridges traditional fast food and casual dining. The company's core offering centers around fire-grilled chicken prepared using proprietary marinades and cooking techniques that differentiate it from competitors who typically use fried chicken or other preparation methods. The restaurant chain specializes in Mexican-inspired cuisine featuring its signature fire-grilled chicken as the protein base for various menu items including bowls, burritos, tacos, salads, and quesadillas. Recent menu innovations include items like Mango Habanero chicken, Fresco wraps, Double Pollo Fit Bowls, and value-oriented offerings such as the $5 Hoya bowl and Taco Tuesday promotions. The business operates through two primary segments: 1. Company-operated restaurants generate approximately 83% of total revenue ($398 million in 2024), where El Pollo Loco directly manages operations, staffing, and customer service. 2. Franchise operations contribute roughly 17% of revenue ($47 million in 2024) through franchise fees, royalties, and related services from independently-owned locations operating under the El Pollo Loco brand. The company targets health-conscious consumers seeking affordable, flavorful alternatives to traditional fast food, with particular strength among Hispanic demographics and families looking for "better-for-you" quick-service options.
Revenue model
El Pollo Loco generates revenue through multiple streams within its restaurant operations model. Company-operated restaurants earn money directly from food sales to consumers, representing the bulk of revenue at approximately $398 million annually. These locations benefit from higher margins per transaction but require significant capital investment and operational oversight. Franchise revenue comes from initial franchise fees, ongoing royalty payments (typically 4-5% of gross sales), and various service fees charged to franchisees. This model provides more predictable, asset-light income streams with lower capital requirements but generates smaller absolute revenue amounts. The company's profitability faces several margin pressures and opportunities. Labor costs represent the most significant challenge, with California's minimum wage increases driving 12-14% wage inflation in recent periods. Commodity inflation affects food costs, though the company has managed this through menu pricing adjustments of 3-6% annually and supply chain optimization. Competitive dynamics in the crowded QSR space pressure margins through promotional pricing and value offerings. Consumer spending patterns, particularly among lower-income demographics who comprise a significant portion of the customer base, directly impact transaction volumes and average check sizes. The company's margins benefit from operational efficiency improvements, technology investments like kiosks, and the premium positioning of fire-grilled chicken versus traditional fried alternatives, allowing for higher pricing relative to conventional fast-food competitors.
Competitive moat
El Pollo Loco's competitive moat is relatively narrow but centers around its differentiated cooking method and regional brand recognition. The company's primary advantage lies in its fire-grilling preparation technique, which creates a distinct flavor profile and healthier positioning compared to fried chicken competitors. This cooking method requires specialized equipment and operational expertise that creates some barriers to replication. The brand benefits from strong regional recognition in California and southwestern markets, where it has built customer loyalty over nearly five decades. The company's focus on Mexican-inspired flavors and "better-for-you" positioning resonates particularly well with Hispanic consumers and health-conscious diners in these markets. However, the moat faces significant challenges. The QSR industry is highly competitive with low switching costs for consumers and numerous alternatives offering similar value propositions. Large national chains like Chipotle, Qdoba, and traditional players like KFC possess substantially greater resources for marketing, technology investment, and expansion. Replication risk is moderate, as fire-grilling techniques, while requiring operational know-how, are not proprietary and could be adopted by well-capitalized competitors. The company's limited geographic footprint constrains its ability to achieve scale economies in marketing and procurement compared to national chains. Additionally, the concentration in California exposes the business to regional economic pressures and regulatory challenges like aggressive minimum wage increases that don't affect competitors operating in other markets.
Risks & safety
El Pollo Loco presents moderate financial risk with concerning liquidity metrics but stable cash generation. • Liquidity concerns: Current ratio of 0.32 indicates potential short-term payment difficulties, with current liabilities ($75M) significantly exceeding current assets ($24M) • Cash position: Low cash balance of $4.3M relative to operational needs, though positive free cash flow of $28M annually provides some cushion • Debt levels: Debt-to-equity ratio of 0.98 represents moderate leverage; total liabilities of $325M against $591M in assets • Valuation metrics: Trading at 14x earnings and 11x EBITDA, representing reasonable but not compelling valuations for a mature QSR concept • Operational cash flow: Positive $47M annually demonstrates underlying business viability despite balance sheet concerns • Other considerations: Heavy California exposure creates regulatory and economic concentration risk; small scale limits competitive flexibility
Recent development
Over the past several years, El Pollo Loco has undergone a comprehensive brand transformation centered around five strategic pillars: building a winning brand, fostering a hospitality mindset, adopting a digital-first approach, achieving winning unit economics, and driving unit growth. The company launched significant menu innovations including Mango Habanero chicken, Fresco wraps, quesadillas, and Double Pollo Fit Bowls to attract younger consumers and drive trial. Operational improvements have focused on technology integration, including a system-wide kiosk rollout, implementation of a new customer feedback system with Service Management Group, and investments in kitchen equipment to improve efficiency. The company has also prioritized labor productivity through new deployment systems and simplified operations. Development strategy has shifted toward cost reduction and franchise growth, with the introduction of a new restaurant prototype designed to reduce build costs to under $2 million from previous levels. The company plans to open 10-11 new restaurants annually while targeting 60-80 restaurant remodels to modernize the brand aesthetic. Geographic expansion efforts focus on markets outside California, including Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Texas, and Washington. Financial performance improvements include margin expansion from the mid-15% range to over 17% in restaurant contribution margins through pricing actions, cost management, and operational efficiencies. The company has also enhanced its franchise development program with new incentives and leadership to accelerate growth.
LOCO company profile · for informational purposes only — not investment advice.
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