El Pollo Loco: 3 Key Takeaways for Long-Term Investors
System-wide same-store sales grew 5% in the third quarter. Digital sales reached 31% of total system sales.
The Motley Fool11/6/2026Neutral
LOCO
El Pollo Loco Holdings IncNASDAQCONSUMER CYCLICALRESTAURANTS
Key Statistics
Market Cap
$500.93M
P/E Ratio
14.07
EPS
$1.17
Beta
0.73
52W High
$17.40
52W Low
$9.99
50-Day MA
$14.99
200-Day MA
$14.16
Dividend Yield
—
Profit Margin
6.80%
Forward P/E
14.73
PEG Ratio
1.16
About El Pollo Loco Holdings Inc
El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc., through its subsidiary El Pollo Loco, Inc., develops, franchises, licenses and operates quick service restaurants under the name El Pollo Loco. The company is headquartered in Costa Mesa, California.
Fundamentals
| Revenue (TTM) | $505.58M |
| Gross Profit (TTM) | $116.60M |
| EBITDA | $72.59M |
| Operating Margin | 8.07% |
| Return on Equity | 11.80% |
| Return on Assets | 5.07% |
| Revenue/Share (TTM) | $17.11 |
| Book Value | $9.72 |
| Price-to-Book | 1.58 |
| Price-to-Sales (TTM) | 0.99 |
| EV/Revenue | 1.414 |
| EV/EBITDA | 10.22 |
| Quarterly Earnings Growth (YoY) | -8.00% |
| Quarterly Revenue Growth (YoY) | 3.90% |
| Shares Outstanding | $30.43M |
| Float | $25.26M |
| % Insiders | 2.45% |
| % Institutions | 99.64% |
Historical Volatility
HV 10-Day
65.03%
HV 20-Day
53.94%
HV 30-Day
45.49%
HV 60-Day
37.37%
HV Rank
78.2%
Volatility is currently expanding
Analyst Ratings
Consensus ($20.58 target)
4
Buy2
HoldLatest News
El Pollo Loco Q3 Earnings Call Highlights
El Pollo Loco NASDAQ: LOCO reported a fifth straight quarter of higher systemwide sales in the third quarter of 2026, as menu promotions and digital orders helped bring in more customers. Earnings declined from a year earlier, however, as general and administrative expenses rose.
MarketBeat11/6/2026Positive
El Pollo Loco Holdings (LOCO) Expected to Beat Earnings Estimates: Should You Buy?
El Pollo Loco (LOCO) possesses the right combination of the two key ingredients for a likely earnings beat in its upcoming report. Get prepared with the key expectations.
Zacks Investment Research10/29/2026Positive
Will El Pollo Loco (LOCO) Beat Estimates Again in Its Next Earnings Report?
El Pollo Loco (LOCO) has an impressive earnings surprise history and currently possesses the right combination of the two key ingredients for a likely beat in its next quarterly report.
Zacks Investment Research10/22/2026Positive
El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. to Announce Third Quarter 2026 Results on Thursday, November 5, 2026
COSTA MESA, Calif., Oct. 15, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. (“El Pollo Loco”) (NASDAQ: LOCO) today announced that it will host a conference call to discuss its third quarter 2026 financial results on Thursday, November 5, 2026, at 4:30 PM Eastern Time. Hosting the call will be Liz Williams, Chief Executive Officer, and Ira Fils, Chief Financial Officer. A press release with third quarter 2026 financial results will be issued that same day, shortly after the market close.
GlobeNewsWire10/15/2026Neutral
El Pollo Loco Stock Surges 53% in a Year: Is Further Upside Ahead?
LOCO's 53% rally rests on stronger margins, digital growth and faster expansion, but traffic and cost pressures remain key risks.
Zacks Investment Research10/5/2026Positive
Should Value Investors Buy El Pollo Loco (LOCO) Stock?
Here at Zacks, our focus is on the proven Zacks Rank system, which emphasizes earnings estimates and estimate revisions to find great stocks. Nevertheless, we are always paying attention to the latest value, growth, and momentum trends to underscore strong picks.
Zacks Investment Research9/30/2026Positive
El Pollo Loco to open first New York restaurant as it aims to become national chicken chain
El Pollo Loco will open its first New York City restaurant next year in Queens. The majority of the chicken chain's locations are in California, although it has been expanding.
CNBC9/29/2026Positive
El Pollo Loco Announces New York Expansion and Strengthens Leadership Team to Accelerate Growth
Brand signs first lease in New York (Queens) Enters into three development agreements for 15 area restaurants over the next five years COSTA MESA, Calif., Sept. 29, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- El Pollo Loco, the nation's leading fire-grilled chicken restaurant chain, today announced its planned entry into New York, including a signed lease for its first restaurant in the region, targeted to open in Queens in mid-2027.
GlobeNewsWire9/29/2026Neutral
El Pollo Loco® Showcases Fall Flavors in Latest Menu Items
Caramel Apple ChataCoffee™, Pumpkin Pie Mini Churros and Red & Green Chile Cheesy Enchilada Double Chicken Bowls all available for a limited time Caramel Apple ChataCoffee™, Pumpkin Pie Mini Churros and Red & Green Chile Cheesy Enchilada Double Chicken Bowls all available for a limited time
GlobeNewsWire9/17/2026Neutral
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Data last updated: 11/7/2026