EL POLLO LOCO HOLDINGS INC (LOCO) Fundamental Analysis & Valuation

NASDAQ:LOCO • US2686031079

Current stock price

13.97 USD
+0.11 (+0.79%)
Last:

This LOCO fundamental analysis includes valuation metrics, fair value assessment, financial health analysis, profitability trends, growth metrics and dividend sustainability analysis.

6

1. LOCO Profitability Analysis

1.1 Basic Checks

  • LOCO had positive earnings in the past year.
  • LOCO had a positive operating cash flow in the past year.
  • Each year in the past 5 years LOCO has been profitable.
  • LOCO had a positive operating cash flow in each of the past 5 years.
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 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 0 20M 40M

1.2 Ratios

  • LOCO has a Return On Assets of 4.37%. This is in the better half of the industry: LOCO outperforms 63.49% of its industry peers.
  • Looking at the Return On Equity, with a value of 9.10%, LOCO is in the better half of the industry, outperforming 67.46% of the companies in the same industry.
  • Looking at the Return On Invested Capital, with a value of 5.77%, LOCO is in line with its industry, outperforming 53.17% of the companies in the same industry.
  • LOCO had an Average Return On Invested Capital over the past 3 years of 5.53%. This is significantly below the industry average of 10.68%.
  • The last Return On Invested Capital (5.77%) for LOCO is above the 3 year average (5.53%), which is a sign of increasing profitability.
Industry RankSector Rank
ROA 4.37%
ROE 9.1%
ROIC 5.77%
ROA(3y)4.34%
ROA(5y)4.25%
ROE(3y)9.72%
ROE(5y)9.18%
ROIC(3y)5.53%
ROIC(5y)5.33%
LOCO Yearly ROA, ROE, ROICLOCO Yearly ROA, ROE, ROICYearly ROA, ROE, ROIC 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 0 2 -2 4 6 8 10

1.3 Margins

  • With a decent Profit Margin value of 5.40%, LOCO is doing good in the industry, outperforming 61.11% of the companies in the same industry.
  • In the last couple of years the Profit Margin of LOCO has remained more or less at the same level.
  • Looking at the Operating Margin, with a value of 8.66%, LOCO is in line with its industry, outperforming 50.79% of the companies in the same industry.
  • LOCO's Operating Margin has been stable in the last couple of years.
  • The Gross Margin of LOCO (53.61%) is better than 61.90% of its industry peers.
  • In the last couple of years the Gross Margin of LOCO has remained more or less at the same level.
Industry RankSector Rank
OM 8.66%
PM (TTM) 5.4%
GM 53.61%
OM growth 3Y10.11%
OM growth 5Y-1.14%
PM growth 3Y6.89%
PM growth 5Y-1.23%
GM growth 3Y4.4%
GM growth 5Y1.42%
LOCO Yearly Profit, Operating, Gross MarginsLOCO Yearly Profit, Operating, Gross MarginsYearly Profit, Operating, Gross Margins 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 0 10 20 30 40 50

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4

2. LOCO Health Analysis

2.1 Basic Checks

  • LOCO has a Return on Invested Capital (ROIC), which is below the Cost of Capital (WACC), which means it is destroying value.
  • The number of shares outstanding for LOCO has been increased compared to 1 year ago.
  • The number of shares outstanding for LOCO has been reduced compared to 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 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 10M 20M 30M
LOCO Yearly Total Debt VS Total AssetsLOCO Yearly Total Debt VS Total AssetsYearly Total Debt VS Total Assets 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 200M 400M 600M

2.2 Solvency

  • An Altman-Z score of 1.82 indicates that LOCO is not a great score, but indicates only limited risk for bankruptcy at the moment.
  • LOCO has a Altman-Z score (1.82) which is comparable to the rest of the industry.
  • LOCO has a debt to FCF ratio of 2.07. This is a good value and a sign of high solvency as LOCO would need 2.07 years to pay back of all of its debts.
  • With an excellent Debt to FCF ratio value of 2.07, LOCO belongs to the best of the industry, outperforming 83.33% of the companies in the same industry.
  • LOCO has a Debt/Equity ratio of 0.18. This is a healthy value indicating a solid balance between debt and equity.
  • LOCO's Debt to Equity ratio of 0.18 is fine compared to the rest of the industry. LOCO outperforms 76.98% of its industry peers.
Industry RankSector Rank
Debt/Equity 0.18
Debt/FCF 2.07
Altman-Z 1.82
ROIC/WACC0.68
WACC8.47%
LOCO Yearly LT Debt VS Equity VS FCFLOCO Yearly LT Debt VS Equity VS FCFYearly LT Debt VS Equity VS FCF 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 100M 200M 300M

2.3 Liquidity

  • LOCO has a Current Ratio of 0.32. 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 Current ratio (0.32) than 90.48% of its industry peers.
  • A Quick Ratio of 0.30 indicates that LOCO may have some problems paying its short term obligations.
  • LOCO's Quick ratio of 0.30 is on the low side compared to the rest of the industry. LOCO is outperformed by 88.10% of its industry peers.
Industry RankSector Rank
Current Ratio 0.32
Quick Ratio 0.3
LOCO Yearly Current Assets VS Current LiabilitesLOCO Yearly Current Assets VS Current LiabilitesYearly Current Assets VS Current Liabilites 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 20M 40M 60M 80M

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4

3. LOCO Growth Analysis

3.1 Past

  • LOCO shows a strong growth in Earnings Per Share. In the last year, the EPS has been growing by 11.24%, which is quite good.
  • LOCO shows a small growth in Earnings Per Share. Measured over the last years, the EPS has been growing by 4.35% yearly.
  • LOCO shows a small growth in Revenue. In the last year, the Revenue has grown by 3.60%.
  • Measured over the past years, LOCO shows a small growth in Revenue. The Revenue has been growing by 2.84% on average per year.
EPS 1Y (TTM)11.24%
EPS 3Y19.51%
EPS 5Y4.35%
EPS Q2Q%25%
Revenue 1Y (TTM)3.6%
Revenue growth 3Y1.4%
Revenue growth 5Y2.84%
Sales Q2Q%8.08%

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 3.51% on average per year.
  • Based on estimates for the next years, LOCO will show a small growth in Revenue. The Revenue will grow by 2.87% on average per year.
EPS Next Y-2.12%
EPS Next 2Y3.51%
EPS Next 3YN/A
EPS Next 5YN/A
Revenue Next Year1.65%
Revenue Next 2Y2.87%
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.
  • The Revenue growth rate is stable: in the next years the growth will be about the same than in the last years.
LOCO Yearly Revenue VS EstimatesLOCO Yearly Revenue VS EstimatesYearly Revenue VS Estimates 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 100M 200M 300M 400M 500M
LOCO Yearly EPS VS EstimatesLOCO Yearly EPS VS EstimatesYearly EPS VS Estimates 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1

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5

4. LOCO Valuation Analysis

4.1 Price/Earnings Ratio

  • Based on the Price/Earnings ratio of 14.11, the valuation of LOCO can be described as correct.
  • Based on the Price/Earnings ratio, LOCO is valued cheaper than 80.95% of the companies in the same industry.
  • Compared to an average S&P500 Price/Earnings ratio of 25.58, LOCO is valued a bit cheaper.
  • Based on the Price/Forward Earnings ratio of 14.42, the valuation of LOCO can be described as correct.
  • 73.81% of the companies in the same industry are more expensive than LOCO, based on the Price/Forward Earnings ratio.
  • LOCO's Price/Forward Earnings ratio indicates a valuation a bit cheaper than the S&P500 average which is at 22.81.
Industry RankSector Rank
PE 14.11
Fwd PE 14.42
LOCO Price Earnings VS Forward Price EarningsLOCO Price Earnings VS Forward Price Earnings ChartPrice Earnings - Forward Price Earnings PE FPE 10 20 30 40

4.2 Price Multiples

  • LOCO's Enterprise Value to EBITDA ratio is rather cheap when compared to the industry. LOCO is cheaper than 81.75% of the companies in the same industry.
  • LOCO's Price/Free Cash Flow ratio is a bit cheaper when compared to the industry. LOCO is cheaper than 79.37% of the companies in the same industry.
Industry RankSector Rank
P/FCF 16.45
EV/EBITDA 7.9
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 decent profitability rating of LOCO may justify a higher PE ratio.
PEG (NY)N/A
PEG (5Y)3.24
EPS Next 2Y3.51%
EPS Next 3YN/A

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Price/EarningsPrice/FCFFCF per shareEV/EBITDAPEG RATIOShow best valued peers

0

5. LOCO Dividend Analysis

5.1 Amount

  • No dividends for LOCO!.
Industry RankSector Rank
Dividend Yield 0%

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LOCO Fundamentals: All Metrics, Ratios and Statistics

EL POLLO LOCO HOLDINGS INC

NASDAQ:LOCO (4/1/2026, 1:24:50 PM)

13.97

+0.11 (+0.79%)

Chartmill FA Rating
GICS IndustryGroupConsumer Services
GICS IndustryHotels, Restaurants & Leisure
Earnings (Last)03-12
Earnings (Next)04-29
Inst Owners92.39%
Inst Owner Change1.41%
Ins Owners1.97%
Ins Owner Change1.18%
Market Cap418.54M
Revenue(TTM)490.05M
Net Income(TTM)26.49M
Analysts78.18
Price Target15.43 (10.45%)
Short Float %6.89%
Short Ratio6.48
Dividend
Industry RankSector Rank
Dividend Yield 0%
Yearly DividendN/A
Dividend Growth(5Y)N/A
DP0%
Div Incr Years0
Div Non Decr Years0
Ex-DateN/A
Surprises & Revisions
EPS beat(2)2
Avg EPS beat(2)24.37%
Min EPS beat(2)23.69%
Max EPS beat(2)25.05%
EPS beat(4)3
Avg EPS beat(4)13.2%
Min EPS beat(4)-9.13%
Max EPS beat(4)25.05%
EPS beat(8)7
Avg EPS beat(8)24.73%
EPS beat(12)10
Avg EPS beat(12)19.3%
EPS beat(16)13
Avg EPS beat(16)16.62%
Revenue beat(2)0
Avg Revenue beat(2)-2.34%
Min Revenue beat(2)-3.46%
Max Revenue beat(2)-1.21%
Revenue beat(4)0
Avg Revenue beat(4)-1.63%
Min Revenue beat(4)-3.46%
Max Revenue beat(4)-0.7%
Revenue beat(8)1
Avg Revenue beat(8)-1%
Revenue beat(12)2
Avg Revenue beat(12)-1.25%
Revenue beat(16)3
Avg Revenue beat(16)-1.07%
PT rev (1m)0%
PT rev (3m)1.68%
EPS NQ rev (1m)4.13%
EPS NQ rev (3m)11.31%
EPS NY rev (1m)0%
EPS NY rev (3m)2.15%
Revenue NQ rev (1m)0.63%
Revenue NQ rev (3m)0.35%
Revenue NY rev (1m)0.01%
Revenue NY rev (3m)0.02%
Valuation
Industry RankSector Rank
PE 14.11
Fwd PE 14.42
P/S 0.85
P/FCF 16.45
P/OCF 8.71
P/B 1.44
P/tB N/A
EV/EBITDA 7.9
EPS(TTM)0.99
EY7.09%
EPS(NY)0.97
Fwd EY6.94%
FCF(TTM)0.85
FCFY6.08%
OCF(TTM)1.6
OCFY11.49%
SpS16.36
BVpS9.72
TBVpS-0.65
PEG (NY)N/A
PEG (5Y)3.24
Graham Number14.71
Profitability
Industry RankSector Rank
ROA 4.37%
ROE 9.1%
ROCE 8.05%
ROIC 5.77%
ROICexc 5.83%
ROICexgc 14.43%
OM 8.66%
PM (TTM) 5.4%
GM 53.61%
FCFM 5.19%
ROA(3y)4.34%
ROA(5y)4.25%
ROE(3y)9.72%
ROE(5y)9.18%
ROIC(3y)5.53%
ROIC(5y)5.33%
ROICexc(3y)5.59%
ROICexc(5y)5.46%
ROICexgc(3y)14.03%
ROICexgc(5y)13.84%
ROCE(3y)7.72%
ROCE(5y)7.44%
ROICexgc growth 3Y9.28%
ROICexgc growth 5Y2.07%
ROICexc growth 3Y10.71%
ROICexc growth 5Y1.83%
OM growth 3Y10.11%
OM growth 5Y-1.14%
PM growth 3Y6.89%
PM growth 5Y-1.23%
GM growth 3Y4.4%
GM growth 5Y1.42%
F-Score9
Asset Turnover0.81
Health
Industry RankSector Rank
Debt/Equity 0.18
Debt/FCF 2.07
Debt/EBITDA 0.9
Cap/Depr 141.77%
Cap/Sales 4.62%
Interest Coverage 9.69
Cash Conversion 82.29%
Profit Quality 96.05%
Current Ratio 0.32
Quick Ratio 0.3
Altman-Z 1.82
F-Score9
WACC8.47%
ROIC/WACC0.68
Cap/Depr(3y)134.4%
Cap/Depr(5y)130.72%
Cap/Sales(3y)4.4%
Cap/Sales(5y)4.24%
Profit Quality(3y)93.22%
Profit Quality(5y)97.94%
High Growth Momentum
Growth
EPS 1Y (TTM)11.24%
EPS 3Y19.51%
EPS 5Y4.35%
EPS Q2Q%25%
EPS Next Y-2.12%
EPS Next 2Y3.51%
EPS Next 3YN/A
EPS Next 5YN/A
Revenue 1Y (TTM)3.6%
Revenue growth 3Y1.4%
Revenue growth 5Y2.84%
Sales Q2Q%8.08%
Revenue Next Year1.65%
Revenue Next 2Y2.87%
Revenue Next 3YN/A
Revenue Next 5YN/A
EBIT growth 1Y1.42%
EBIT growth 3Y11.66%
EBIT growth 5Y1.66%
EBIT Next Year52.4%
EBIT Next 3YN/A
EBIT Next 5YN/A
FCF growth 1Y-8.16%
FCF growth 3Y10.94%
FCF growth 5Y-5.56%
OCF growth 1Y2.77%
OCF growth 3Y7.64%
OCF growth 5Y3.46%

EL POLLO LOCO HOLDINGS INC / LOCO Fundamental Analysis FAQ

What is the ChartMill fundamental rating of EL POLLO LOCO HOLDINGS INC (LOCO) stock?

ChartMill assigns a fundamental rating of 4 / 10 to LOCO.


What is the valuation status of EL POLLO LOCO HOLDINGS INC (LOCO) stock?

ChartMill assigns a valuation rating of 5 / 10 to EL POLLO LOCO HOLDINGS INC (LOCO). This can be considered as Fairly Valued.


How profitable is EL POLLO LOCO HOLDINGS INC (LOCO) stock?

EL POLLO LOCO HOLDINGS INC (LOCO) has a profitability rating of 6 / 10.


How financially healthy is EL POLLO LOCO HOLDINGS INC?

The financial health rating of EL POLLO LOCO HOLDINGS INC (LOCO) is 4 / 10.


How sustainable is the dividend of EL POLLO LOCO HOLDINGS INC (LOCO) stock?

The dividend rating of EL POLLO LOCO HOLDINGS INC (LOCO) is 0 / 10 and the dividend payout ratio is 0%.