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LOCO

El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc.

LOCO

El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. • NASDAQ
$10.91 ▼ -0.37% (-0.04)
Market Cap $326.81 M
52w High $13.14
52w Low $8.29
Dividend Yield 0%
P/E 12.4
Volume 66.75K
Outstanding Shares 29.95M

Income Statement

Period Revenue Operating Expense Net Income Net Profit Margin Earnings Per Share EBITDA
Q3-2025 $121.52M ▼ $23.832M ▲ $7.358M ▲ 6.055% ▲ $0.25 ▲ $15.431M ▲
Q2-2025 $125.834M ▲ $12.822M ▼ $7.107M ▲ 5.648% ▲ $0.24 ▲ $15.234M ▲
Q1-2025 $119.177M ▲ $15.172M ▼ $5.481M ▼ 4.599% ▼ $0.19 ▼ $12.859M ▼
Q4-2024 $114.284M ▼ $15.272M ▼ $5.953M ▼ 5.209% ▲ $0.2 ▼ $13.016M ▼
Q3-2024 $120.395M $15.537M $6.186M 5.138% $0.21 $14.291M

Balance Statement

Period Cash & Short-term Total Assets Total Liabilities Total Equity
Q3-2025 $10.872M ▲ $602.748M ▲ $319.816M ▼ $282.932M ▲
Q2-2025 $8.989M ▲ $596.777M ▲ $322.599M ▼ $274.178M ▲
Q1-2025 $4.323M ▲ $590.452M ▼ $324.751M ▼ $265.701M ▲
Q4-2024 $2.484M ▼ $592.014M ▲ $331.345M ▼ $260.669M ▲
Q3-2024 $7.895M $589.974M $334.764M $255.21M

Cash Flow Statement

Period Net Income Cash From Operations Cash From Investing Cash From Financing Net Change Free Cash Flow
Q3-2025 $7.358M ▲ $15.294M ▲ $-5.384M ▼ $-8.027M ▼ $1.883M ▼ $9.91M ▲
Q2-2025 $7.107M ▲ $14.137M ▲ $-5.038M ▼ $-4.433M ▼ $4.666M ▲ $9.099M ▲
Q1-2025 $5.481M ▼ $4.735M ▼ $-3.389M ▲ $493K ▲ $1.839M ▲ $1.346M ▲
Q4-2024 $5.953M ▼ $5.635M ▼ $-4.503M ▼ $-6.543M ▲ $-5.411M ▼ $1.132M ▼
Q3-2024 $6.186M $13.029M $-3.891M $-11.708M $-2.57M $9.138M

Revenue by Products

Product Q4-2024Q1-2025Q2-2025Q3-2025
Franchise
Franchise
 $30.00M ▲$10.00M ▼$10.00M ▲$10.00M ▲
Gift Card Liability
Gift Card Liability
 $0 ▲$0 ▲$0 ▲$0 ▲
Loyalty Reward Program
Loyalty Reward Program
 $0 ▲$0 ▲$0 ▲$0 ▲
Service
Service
 $300.00M ▲$100.00M ▼$100.00M ▲$100.00M ▲
Franchise Advertising Fee
Franchise Advertising Fee
 $0 ▲$10.00M ▲$0 ▼$0 ▲

Five-Year Company Overview

Income Statement

Income Statement Revenue has been fairly steady over the past several years, inching up rather than surging. Profitability has been positive throughout, with operating profits and net income holding in a relatively narrow band. Margins look reasonably healthy for a regional restaurant chain and have improved modestly in recent years, suggesting decent cost control and pricing discipline. Earnings per share have trended upward, implying slow but real progress rather than dramatic growth. Overall, the income statement paints a picture of a mature, stable concept with incremental gains, not a high-growth story.

Balance Sheet

Balance Sheet The balance sheet appears fairly balanced and stable over time. Total assets have stayed roughly flat, which fits a business that is not rapidly expanding its footprint yet. Debt sits at a moderate level relative to the size of the company and has not swung wildly, indicating a measured approach to borrowing. Equity has been steady to slightly lower in recent years but not in a concerning way, more reflective of a business managing within its means. Cash on hand is usually on the lighter side, which is common in restaurants, but it does mean the company has less of a cushion and relies more on ongoing cash generation and credit access.

Cash Flow

Cash Flow Operating cash flow has been consistently positive and gradually improving, showing that the core restaurant operations generate reliable cash. Free cash flow has also been positive each year, though at a modest level, after covering a relatively steady stream of investment in new stores, remodels, and equipment. Capital spending looks disciplined rather than aggressive, which limits risk but also limits the speed of growth. Overall, the cash flow profile is that of a business that can fund its needs internally with some room for selective expansion, but not one producing large excess cash relative to its size.

Competitive Edge

Competitive Edge El Pollo Loco sits in a distinct niche between traditional fast food and higher-priced fast casual concepts. Its focus on citrus-marinated, fire-grilled chicken and fresh, in-store preparation of salsas and guacamole gives it a clear identity and some protection from direct copycats. The “better-for-you” positioning versus typical fried chicken and burgers appeals to health-conscious customers, while drive-thrus keep it convenient. The brand remains heavily concentrated in the West, especially California, which is both a strength (deep regional familiarity) and a limitation (less national scale versus big chains). Competition across chicken and Mexican-inspired fast food is intense, but the company’s unique cooking method, flavor profile, and “L.A. Mex” branding provide a real, if niche, moat.

Innovation and R&D

Innovation and R&D Innovation at El Pollo Loco is less about lab-style R&D and more about new menu ideas, digital tools, and operational upgrades. The company has been investing in a stronger digital ecosystem, including a revamped app, a loyalty program, online ordering, delivery integration, and in-store kiosks, all aimed at making ordering easier and gathering better customer data. It is also modernizing restaurants with new prototypes and digital menu boards and upgrading its supply chain using cloud-based analytics to improve efficiency. On the menu side, it continues to build around its core fire-grilled chicken with new items like tenders, “fire-fried” style sandwiches, and portable handheld options designed for younger, on-the-go customers. Under the new CEO, there is a clear plan focused on sharpening the brand, speeding service, improving store economics, and expanding into new markets with lower-cost formats, which together represent a structured, innovation-driven growth agenda.

Summary

El Pollo Loco shows the profile of a steady, regionally focused restaurant chain with consistent profits, manageable debt, and dependable cash generation. Financial performance has improved gradually, not dramatically, suggesting a solid but measured business. Its differentiation rests on fire-grilled chicken, fresh preparation, and a health-leaning “L.A. Mex” identity that stands out in a crowded fast-food landscape. At the same time, geographic concentration, intense competition in chicken and Mexican categories, and relatively modest financial scale are real constraints. The company is leaning into digital tools, supply chain modernization, and menu innovation, and plans to step up expansion outside its core markets. How well it executes on these initiatives—and whether they translate into faster, profitable growth—will be central to its long-term trajectory.

NEWS

November 26, 2025 · 9:01 AM UTC

El Pollo Loco Is Celebrating “12 Days of Pollo” with Delicious Deals

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October 30, 2025 · 4:05 PM UTC

El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. Announces Third Quarter 2025 Financial Results

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October 16, 2025 · 9:00 AM UTC

El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. to Announce Third Quarter 2025 Results on Thursday, October 30, 2025

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October 14, 2025 · 6:39 PM UTC

El Pollo Loco Celebrates Growth Milestone with 500th U.S. Restaurant

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September 30, 2025 · 9:01 AM UTC

El Pollo Loco Introduces Flavorful Double Chicken Burrito Bowls That Will Actually Fill You Up

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