El Pollo LoCo (LOCO) AI Stock Analysis
El Pollo LoCo
(BMV:LOCO)
No summary available
El Pollo LoCo Business Overview & Revenue Model
Company Description
El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc., primarily operating through its El Pollo Loco, Inc. subsidiary, is engaged in the development, franchising, licensing, and direct management of quick-service restaurants under the El Pollo Loco brand. By May 4, 2022, its...
El Pollo LoCo Earnings Call Summary
The call conveyed clear operational momentum: positive same-store sales, margin improvement, digital and loyalty strength, successful menu innovation, and accelerated unit growth with raised EBITDA guidance and reduced capex. Headwinds remain around commodity inflation (notably produce), modest transaction declines, a quarter-over-quarter reliance on higher checks, a one-time legal settlement impacting G&A comparability, and a modest cash balance. Overall the positive drivers and upward guidance outweigh the challenges discussed.
Q2-2026 Updates
Positive Updates
Negative Updates
Company Guidance
Management raised 2026 guidance, increasing full‑year system‑wide comparable same‑store sales to 3.5%–4.5% (Q3 to date through 7/29 at +5.8% and Q3 guidance ~3.5%–4.5%), and upping adjusted EBITDA to $68–70 million while trimming CapEx to $33–37 million and projecting depreciation & amortization of $18–18.5 million. They reiterated new unit growth of roughly 18–20 openings (3–4 company and 15–16 franchise), maintained G&A of $52–54 million excluding one‑time items, and an estimated effective tax rate of ~29%–29.5% (pre‑discrete). Restaurant‑level margin is expected to improve to 18.25%–18.75% for the year (Q3 guide 18%–18.5%), with full‑year commodity inflation forecast at 2.5%–3.5% and wage inflation at 1.5%–2.5%. Liquidity as of 7/1/2026 included $30 million of debt, $13.3 million cash, a $150 million revolver extended to 8/4/2031, and a $21 million net revolver paydown year‑to‑date.
El Pollo LoCo Risk Analysis
El Pollo LoCo disclosed 35 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. El Pollo LoCo reported the most risks in the "Finance & Corporate" category.
Latest Risks Added
0 New RisksEl Pollo LoCo Peers Comparison
Overall Rating
Financial Indicators
| Name | Overall Rating | Market Cap | P/E Ratio | ROE | Dividend Yield | Revenue Growth | EPS Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sector * | 61Neutral | $18.38B | 12.79 | -2.54% | 3.03% | 1.52% | -15.83% |
* Consumer Cyclical Sector Average
Disclaimer
This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.