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EL POLLO LOCO HOLDINGS INC (LOCO) Stock Fundamental Analysis

USA - NASDAQ:LOCO - US2686031079 - Common Stock

9.47 USD
+0.07 (+0.74%)
Last: 10/20/2025, 11:24:08 AM
Fundamental Rating

5

Overall LOCO gets a fundamental rating of 5 out of 10. We evaluated LOCO against 134 industry peers in the Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure industry. LOCO has an average financial health and profitability rating. LOCO is valued quite cheap, while showing a decent growth score. This is a good combination!


Dividend Valuation Growth Profitability Health

6

1. Profitability

1.1 Basic Checks

LOCO had positive earnings in the past year.
LOCO had a positive operating cash flow in the past year.
In the past 5 years LOCO has always been profitable.
Each year in the past 5 years LOCO had a positive operating cash flow.
LOCO Yearly Net Income VS EBIT VS OCF VS FCFLOCO Yearly Net Income VS EBIT VS OCF VS FCFYearly Net Income VS EBIT VS OCF VS FCF 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 0 20M 40M

1.2 Ratios

Looking at the Return On Assets, with a value of 4.14%, LOCO is in the better half of the industry, outperforming 61.19% of the companies in the same industry.
The Return On Equity of LOCO (9.02%) is better than 66.42% of its industry peers.
LOCO has a Return On Invested Capital of 5.62%. This is comparable to the rest of the industry: LOCO outperforms 52.99% of its industry peers.
The Average Return On Invested Capital over the past 3 years for LOCO is significantly below the industry average of 10.67%.
The 3 year average ROIC (5.08%) for LOCO is below the current ROIC(5.62%), indicating increased profibility in the last year.
Industry RankSector Rank
ROA 4.14%
ROE 9.02%
ROIC 5.62%
ROA(3y)4.05%
ROA(5y)4.18%
ROE(3y)9.15%
ROE(5y)9.13%
ROIC(3y)5.08%
ROIC(5y)5.31%
LOCO Yearly ROA, ROE, ROICLOCO Yearly ROA, ROE, ROICYearly ROA, ROE, ROIC 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 0 2 -2 4 6 8 10

1.3 Margins

The Profit Margin of LOCO (5.15%) is comparable to the rest of the industry.
LOCO's Profit Margin has been stable in the last couple of years.
LOCO has a Operating Margin of 8.34%. This is comparable to the rest of the industry: LOCO outperforms 49.25% of its industry peers.
LOCO's Operating Margin has been stable in the last couple of years.
Looking at the Gross Margin, with a value of 52.54%, LOCO is in the better half of the industry, outperforming 62.69% of the companies in the same industry.
LOCO's Gross Margin has been stable in the last couple of years.
Industry RankSector Rank
OM 8.34%
PM (TTM) 5.15%
GM 52.54%
OM growth 3Y-3.32%
OM growth 5Y0.33%
PM growth 3Y-5.35%
PM growth 5Y-0.72%
GM growth 3Y0.83%
GM growth 5Y1.16%
LOCO Yearly Profit, Operating, Gross MarginsLOCO Yearly Profit, Operating, Gross MarginsYearly Profit, Operating, Gross Margins 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 0 10 20 30 40 50

4

2. Health

2.1 Basic Checks

The Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) is below the Cost of Capital (WACC), so LOCO is destroying value.
The number of shares outstanding for LOCO has been reduced compared to 1 year ago.
LOCO has less shares outstanding than it did 5 years ago.
Compared to 1 year ago, LOCO has an improved debt to assets ratio.
LOCO Yearly Shares OutstandingLOCO Yearly Shares OutstandingYearly Shares Outstanding 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 10M 20M 30M
LOCO Yearly Total Debt VS Total AssetsLOCO Yearly Total Debt VS Total AssetsYearly Total Debt VS Total Assets 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 200M 400M 600M

2.2 Solvency

LOCO has an Altman-Z score of 1.52. This is a bad value and indicates that LOCO is not financially healthy and even has some risk of bankruptcy.
The Altman-Z score of LOCO (1.52) is comparable to the rest of the industry.
LOCO has a debt to FCF ratio of 3.41. This is a good value and a sign of high solvency as LOCO would need 3.41 years to pay back of all of its debts.
LOCO has a better Debt to FCF ratio (3.41) than 79.10% of its industry peers.
LOCO has a Debt/Equity ratio of 0.26. This is a healthy value indicating a solid balance between debt and equity.
Looking at the Debt to Equity ratio, with a value of 0.26, LOCO is in the better half of the industry, outperforming 75.37% of the companies in the same industry.
Industry RankSector Rank
Debt/Equity 0.26
Debt/FCF 3.41
Altman-Z 1.52
ROIC/WACC0.7
WACC8%
LOCO Yearly LT Debt VS Equity VS FCFLOCO Yearly LT Debt VS Equity VS FCFYearly LT Debt VS Equity VS FCF 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 100M 200M 300M

2.3 Liquidity

LOCO has a Current Ratio of 0.35. This is a bad value and indicates that LOCO is not financially healthy enough and could expect problems in meeting its short term obligations.
The Current ratio of LOCO (0.35) is worse than 85.07% of its industry peers.
LOCO has a Quick Ratio of 0.35. This is a bad value and indicates that LOCO is not financially healthy enough and could expect problems in meeting its short term obligations.
LOCO has a worse Quick ratio (0.33) than 81.34% of its industry peers.
Industry RankSector Rank
Current Ratio 0.35
Quick Ratio 0.33
LOCO Yearly Current Assets VS Current LiabilitesLOCO Yearly Current Assets VS Current LiabilitesYearly Current Assets VS Current Liabilites 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 20M 40M 60M 80M

4

3. Growth

3.1 Past

The Earnings Per Share has been growing slightly by 6.02% over the past year.
The Earnings Per Share has been growing slightly by 3.21% on average over the past years.
Looking at the last year, LOCO shows a small growth in Revenue. The Revenue has grown by 1.85% in the last year.
LOCO shows a small growth in Revenue. Measured over the last years, the Revenue has been growing by 1.35% yearly.
EPS 1Y (TTM)6.02%
EPS 3Y1.15%
EPS 5Y3.21%
EPS Q2Q%7.69%
Revenue 1Y (TTM)1.85%
Revenue growth 3Y1.35%
Revenue growth 5Y1.35%
Sales Q2Q%2.99%

3.2 Future

Based on estimates for the next years, LOCO will show a small growth in Earnings Per Share. The EPS will grow by 3.46% on average per year.
Based on estimates for the next years, LOCO will show a small growth in Revenue. The Revenue will grow by 3.00% on average per year.
EPS Next Y1.31%
EPS Next 2Y3.46%
EPS Next 3YN/A
EPS Next 5YN/A
Revenue Next Year4.5%
Revenue Next 2Y3%
Revenue Next 3YN/A
Revenue Next 5YN/A

3.3 Evolution

The EPS growth rate is stable: in the next years the growth will be about the same than in the last years.
When comparing the Revenue growth rate of the last years to the growth rate of the upcoming years, we see that the growth is accelerating.
LOCO Yearly Revenue VS EstimatesLOCO Yearly Revenue VS EstimatesYearly Revenue VS Estimates 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 100M 200M 300M 400M 500M
LOCO Yearly EPS VS EstimatesLOCO Yearly EPS VS EstimatesYearly EPS VS Estimates 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8

7

4. Valuation

4.1 Price/Earnings Ratio

A Price/Earnings ratio of 10.76 indicates a reasonable valuation of LOCO.
LOCO's Price/Earnings ratio is rather cheap when compared to the industry. LOCO is cheaper than 91.79% of the companies in the same industry.
The average S&P500 Price/Earnings ratio is at 27.42. LOCO is valued rather cheaply when compared to this.
Based on the Price/Forward Earnings ratio of 9.94, the valuation of LOCO can be described as reasonable.
Based on the Price/Forward Earnings ratio, LOCO is valued cheaper than 88.81% of the companies in the same industry.
When comparing the Price/Forward Earnings ratio of LOCO to the average of the S&P500 Index (22.94), we can say LOCO is valued rather cheaply.
Industry RankSector Rank
PE 10.76
Fwd PE 9.94
LOCO Price Earnings VS Forward Price EarningsLOCO Price Earnings VS Forward Price Earnings ChartPrice Earnings - Forward Price Earnings PE FPE 20 40 60

4.2 Price Multiples

88.06% of the companies in the same industry are more expensive than LOCO, based on the Enterprise Value to EBITDA ratio.
Based on the Price/Free Cash Flow ratio, LOCO is valued cheaper than 84.33% of the companies in the same industry.
Industry RankSector Rank
P/FCF 13.71
EV/EBITDA 6.15
LOCO Per share dataLOCO EPS, Sales, OCF, FCF, BookValue per sharePer Share Data Per Share 0 5 10 15

4.3 Compensation for Growth

The high PEG Ratio(NY), which compensates the Price/Earnings for growth, indicates an expensive valuation of the company.
The decent profitability rating of LOCO may justify a higher PE ratio.
PEG (NY)8.2
PEG (5Y)3.35
EPS Next 2Y3.46%
EPS Next 3YN/A

0

5. Dividend

5.1 Amount

LOCO does not give a dividend.
Industry RankSector Rank
Dividend Yield N/A

EL POLLO LOCO HOLDINGS INC

NASDAQ:LOCO (10/20/2025, 11:24:08 AM)

9.47

+0.07 (+0.74%)

Chartmill FA Rating
GICS IndustryGroupConsumer Services
GICS IndustryHotels, Restaurants & Leisure
Earnings (Last)07-31 2025-07-31/amc
Earnings (Next)10-30 2025-10-30
Inst Owners93.3%
Inst Owner Change-0.07%
Ins Owners2.65%
Ins Owner Change-0.34%
Market Cap284.10M
Analysts78.18
Price Target15.05 (58.92%)
Short Float %7.71%
Short Ratio9.5
Dividend
Industry RankSector Rank
Dividend Yield N/A
Yearly DividendN/A
Dividend Growth(5Y)N/A
DP0%
Div Incr Years0
Div Non Decr Years0
Ex-DateN/A
Surprises & Revisions
EPS beat(2)1
Avg EPS beat(2)2.03%
Min EPS beat(2)-9.13%
Max EPS beat(2)13.2%
EPS beat(4)3
Avg EPS beat(4)18.06%
Min EPS beat(4)-9.13%
Max EPS beat(4)45.24%
EPS beat(8)6
Avg EPS beat(8)18.29%
EPS beat(12)10
Avg EPS beat(12)17.56%
EPS beat(16)13
Avg EPS beat(16)16.99%
Revenue beat(2)0
Avg Revenue beat(2)-0.91%
Min Revenue beat(2)-1.13%
Max Revenue beat(2)-0.7%
Revenue beat(4)0
Avg Revenue beat(4)-1.33%
Min Revenue beat(4)-2.47%
Max Revenue beat(4)-0.7%
Revenue beat(8)2
Avg Revenue beat(8)-0.59%
Revenue beat(12)3
Avg Revenue beat(12)-0.85%
Revenue beat(16)3
Avg Revenue beat(16)-1.3%
PT rev (1m)0%
PT rev (3m)0%
EPS NQ rev (1m)0%
EPS NQ rev (3m)-0.69%
EPS NY rev (1m)0%
EPS NY rev (3m)3.09%
Revenue NQ rev (1m)0%
Revenue NQ rev (3m)-1%
Revenue NY rev (1m)0%
Revenue NY rev (3m)0.05%
Valuation
Industry RankSector Rank
PE 10.76
Fwd PE 9.94
P/S 0.59
P/FCF 13.71
P/OCF 7.57
P/B 1.04
P/tB N/A
EV/EBITDA 6.15
EPS(TTM)0.88
EY9.29%
EPS(NY)0.95
Fwd EY10.06%
FCF(TTM)0.69
FCFY7.29%
OCF(TTM)1.25
OCFY13.21%
SpS15.99
BVpS9.14
TBVpS-1.21
PEG (NY)8.2
PEG (5Y)3.35
Profitability
Industry RankSector Rank
ROA 4.14%
ROE 9.02%
ROCE 7.7%
ROIC 5.62%
ROICexc 5.72%
ROICexgc 14.58%
OM 8.34%
PM (TTM) 5.15%
GM 52.54%
FCFM 4.32%
ROA(3y)4.05%
ROA(5y)4.18%
ROE(3y)9.15%
ROE(5y)9.13%
ROIC(3y)5.08%
ROIC(5y)5.31%
ROICexc(3y)5.17%
ROICexc(5y)5.47%
ROICexgc(3y)13.16%
ROICexgc(5y)13.82%
ROCE(3y)6.96%
ROCE(5y)7.28%
ROICexcg growth 3Y-2.78%
ROICexcg growth 5Y4.42%
ROICexc growth 3Y-2.31%
ROICexc growth 5Y2.81%
OM growth 3Y-3.32%
OM growth 5Y0.33%
PM growth 3Y-5.35%
PM growth 5Y-0.72%
GM growth 3Y0.83%
GM growth 5Y1.16%
F-Score8
Asset Turnover0.8
Health
Industry RankSector Rank
Debt/Equity 0.26
Debt/FCF 3.41
Debt/EBITDA 1.26
Cap/Depr 106.38%
Cap/Sales 3.51%
Interest Coverage 7.78
Cash Conversion 67.22%
Profit Quality 83.77%
Current Ratio 0.35
Quick Ratio 0.33
Altman-Z 1.52
F-Score8
WACC8%
ROIC/WACC0.7
Cap/Depr(3y)133.19%
Cap/Depr(5y)110.29%
Cap/Sales(3y)4.27%
Cap/Sales(5y)3.63%
Profit Quality(3y)91.05%
Profit Quality(5y)106.37%
High Growth Momentum
Growth
EPS 1Y (TTM)6.02%
EPS 3Y1.15%
EPS 5Y3.21%
EPS Q2Q%7.69%
EPS Next Y1.31%
EPS Next 2Y3.46%
EPS Next 3YN/A
EPS Next 5YN/A
Revenue 1Y (TTM)1.85%
Revenue growth 3Y1.35%
Revenue growth 5Y1.35%
Sales Q2Q%2.99%
Revenue Next Year4.5%
Revenue Next 2Y3%
Revenue Next 3YN/A
Revenue Next 5YN/A
EBIT growth 1Y-0.28%
EBIT growth 3Y-2.01%
EBIT growth 5Y1.69%
EBIT Next Year56.86%
EBIT Next 3YN/A
EBIT Next 5YN/A
FCF growth 1Y-26.54%
FCF growth 3Y-7.55%
FCF growth 5Y6%
OCF growth 1Y-22.65%
OCF growth 3Y-3.53%
OCF growth 5Y5.3%