El Pollo Loco Holdings Inc. (LOCO)
Summary
Wall Street Analysts Think El Pollo Loco (LOCO) Could Surge 33.82%: Read This Before Placing a Bet
The average of price targets set by Wall Street analysts indicates a potential upside of 33.8% in El Pollo Loco (LOCO). While the effectiveness of this highly sought-after metric is questionable, the positive trend in earnings estimate revisions might translate into an upside in the stock.
El Pollo Loco: Taco Bell-ification Is Working
El Pollo Loco remains a Buy, supported by asset-light expansion, strong unit economics, and a shift beyond California. LOCO's franchise-led growth leverages low-cost conversions, driving higher ROI and expanding EBITDA margins toward a 20% long-term target. Management raised FY 2026 guidance: same-store sales to 3.5–4.5%, adjusted EBITDA to $68–70M, and reduced CapEx, supporting FCF and capital allocation flexibility.
Should Value Investors Buy El Pollo Loco (LOCO) Stock?
Here at Zacks, our focus is on the proven Zacks Rank system, which emphasizes earnings estimates and estimate revisions to find great stocks. Nevertheless, we are always paying attention to the latest value, growth, and momentum trends to underscore strong picks.
El Pollo Loco Holdings Inc. Investors
| Name | Quantity | Cost | Value | Profit ($) | Gain (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Curtis Ellergodt Rothschild Investment LLC | 74 | $942.78 | $1,123.32 | $180.54 | 19.15% |
| SN Stephanie Nee HARBOR CAPITAL ADVISORS Inc. | 424 | $4,643.77 | $6,427.84 | $1,784.07 | 38.42% |
 Point72 Asset Management LP Point72 Asset Management LP | 65,345 | $905,681.47 | $1.02M | $109,779.83 | 12.12% |
| YA Yinka Akinsola Blue Trust Inc. | 6,565 | $64,282.85 | $99,279.21 | $34,996.36 | 54.44% |
 Joseph Castro Nuveen LLC | 51,890 | $571,196.78 | $784,706.52 | $213,509.74 | 37.38% |
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El Pollo Loco Holdings Inc. Profile
| Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure Industry | Consumer Discretionary Sector | Elizabeth Goodwin Williams CEO | NASDAQ (NGS) Exchange | 268603107 CUSIP |
| US Country | 4,034 Employees | 21 Oct 2022 Last Dividend | - Last Split | 25 Jul 2014 IPO Date |
Overview
El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc., operates as a distinguished player in the quick-service restaurant industry through its main operating subsidiary, El Pollo Loco, Inc. Established in 1975 and headquartered in Costa Mesa, California, the company initially known as Chicken Acquisition Corp., rebranded itself to its current name in April 2014. Its core business model revolves around developing, franchising, licensing, and operating quick-service restaurants under the El Pollo Loco brand name. The brand has a significant footprint across several U.S. states including California, Nevada, Arizona, Texas, Colorado, Utah, and Louisiana, showcasing a formidable presence in the quick-service restaurant sector. Furthermore, El Pollo Loco extends its brand internationally through licensing agreements, notably operating restaurants in the Philippines, highlighting its global appeal and expansion strategy outside the domestic market.
Products and Services
El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. offers a diverse range of products and services through its El Pollo Loco brand, catering to a wide audience with its quick-service restaurants. Here are the main aspects of their offerings:
- Restaurant Operations: At the heart of El Pollo Loco’s offerings are its restaurant operations. It manages a mix of company-operated and franchisee-operated restaurants across several states in the U.S. and internationally in the Philippines. The restaurant's menu is centered around flame-grilled chicken, offering a distinctive taste and quality that differentiates it in the quick-service restaurant sector.
- Franchising and Licensing: Beyond direct operations, El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. has a robust frachising and licensing model. This allows independent operators to run El Pollo Loco-branded restaurants, providing them with the necessary operational support, brand guidelines, and business model to ensure consistency and success across different locations. This model has enabled the brand to expand rapidly across various markets while maintaining quality and service standards.
