El Pollo Loco Holdings Inc. (LOCO)
Why El Pollo Loco (LOCO) is Poised to Beat Earnings Estimates Again
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.
El Pollo Loco: Comps Strength Defies A Weaker Restaurant Industry
El Pollo Loco has surged 60%+ YTD, dramatically outperforming the S&P 500, yet fundamentals and valuation still support further upside. LOCO's defensible niche in flame-grilled Mexican chicken and strong same-restaurant sales growth set it apart amid sector-wide comp declines. Operating margins are rising toward 20%, with higher average checks offsetting labor and food cost pressures.
El Pollo Loco's Crazy Surge Was Justified (Upgrade)
El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. is upgraded from Hold to a soft Buy as fundamentals and comparable sales have improved markedly. LOCO's system-wide comparable sales surged 5.8% in Q1 2026, outpacing inflationary headwinds and demonstrating successful menu innovation and digital growth. Management targets 19–20 new locations and 2–4% system-wide comparable sales growth in 2026, supported by robust digital and loyalty channel expansion.
El Pollo Loco authorizes $40M share repurchase program
El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:LOCO) has authorized a $40 million share repurchase program, the Costa Mesa, California-based restaurant chain said Thursday evening. The board of directors approved the repurchase of up to $40 million of its common stock, representing approximately 9% of the company's current market capitalization.
El Pollo Loco: Loco Tenders Put Pricing Power To The Test
El Pollo Loco is executing a successful 'Taco Bell-ification' strategy, driving higher average checks and resilient traffic. LOCO's menu innovation—especially bowls, salads, and Baja Tostadas—has boosted same-store sales and restaurant-level margins above long-term targets. Systemwide traffic grew 0.6%, the average check rose 5.2%, and the restaurant-level margin reached 19.2%, supporting robust EBITDA and cash generation.
El Pollo Loco Q1 Earnings Call Highlights
El Pollo Loco NASDAQ: LOCO reported first-quarter 2026 results that management said reflected continued momentum from its ongoing brand transformation, highlighted by same-store sales growth and margin expansion alongside increased marketing and operational initiatives. Get El Pollo Loco alerts:Sign UpFirst-quarter sales and margin performance Chief Executive Officer Liz Williams said the company was “proud of our first quarter results,” citing system-wide same-store sales growth of 5.8% and restaurant-level margin expansion of 320 basis points year-over-year.
El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. (LOCO) Q1 2026 Earnings Call Transcript
El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. (LOCO) Q1 2026 Earnings Call Transcript
El Pollo Loco Holdings (LOCO) Surpasses Q1 Earnings and Revenue Estimates
El Pollo Loco Holdings (LOCO) came out with quarterly earnings of $0.28 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.22 per share. This compares to earnings of $0.19 per share a year ago.
El Pollo Loco: Surprising Strength Amid Tough Restaurant Industry Conditions
El Pollo Loco has rallied over 30% YTD, sharply outperforming a weak restaurant sector and maintaining strong execution amid industry headwinds. LOCO trades at 6.8x FY26 EV/adjusted EBITDA, with a disciplined franchise-focused expansion strategy and mid-single-digit revenue growth outlook. Same-restaurant sales rebounded to 2.1% in Q4, driven by successful menu innovation and value-focused offerings, with franchise comps notably outpacing company-owned stores.
Why El Pollo Loco Stock Popped Today
El Pollo Loco's restaurants are becoming more profitable. Growth is set to accelerate in 2026.
El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. (LOCO) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. (LOCO) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
El Pollo Loco (LOCO) Q4 Earnings: Taking a Look at Key Metrics Versus Estimates
The headline numbers for El Pollo Loco (LOCO) give insight into how the company performed in the quarter ended December 2025, but it may be worthwhile to compare some of its key metrics to Wall Street estimates and the year-ago actuals.
