Earnings summaries and quarterly performance for El Pollo Loco Holdings.
Executive leadership at El Pollo Loco Holdings.
Board of directors at El Pollo Loco Holdings.
Research analysts who have asked questions during El Pollo Loco Holdings earnings calls.
JB
Jake Bartlett
Truist Securities
7 questions for LOCO
Also covers: CBRL, DENN, DIN +11 more
Andrew Barish
Jefferies
6 questions for LOCO
Also covers: BROS, CAKE, CAVA +10 more
JH
Jeremy Hamblin
Craig-Hallum Capital Group LLC
2 questions for LOCO
Also covers: ARHS, ASPU, AXON +17 more
TB
Todd Brooks
The Benchmark Company
2 questions for LOCO
Also covers: BJRI, CBRL, CHEF +16 more
Larson Rice
Truist Securities, Inc.
1 question for LOCO
Also covers: CBRL, DIN
Marshall Pittman
Jefferies
1 question for LOCO
MC
Matthew Curtis
William Blair & Company
1 question for LOCO
Also covers: CAVA, KRUS, PBPB +1 more
TA
Tania Anderson
William Blair
1 question for LOCO
Will Forsberg
Craig-Hallum Capital Group LLC
1 question for LOCO
Also covers: CTRN, GENK, RRGB
Recent press releases and 8-K filings for LOCO.
El Pollo Loco Reports Q3 2025 Results
LOCO
Earnings
Guidance Update
Revenue Acceleration/Inflection
- El Pollo Loco reported total revenue of $121.5 million for Q3 2025, a slight increase from $120.4 million in Q3 2024, with company-operated comparable restaurant sales decreasing 1.1% and franchise comparable restaurant sales decreasing 0.6%.
- Despite the comparable sales decline, the company achieved 1.6% positive system-wide traffic growth and expanded restaurant-level operating profit margins by 160 basis points year over year to 18.3% in Q3 2025.
- Digital sales, encompassing app, web, and kiosks, grew to 27% of system sales in Q3 2025, up from 20% in the same period last year, with loyalty transactions increasing 28% year over year.
- The company provided guidance for full-year 2025 restaurant-level contribution margins to be between 17.5% and 17.75%.
- For Q4 2025 to date (through October 22), system-wide comparable store sales increased 2.2%, driven by a 1.5% increase in company-operated restaurants and a 2.5% increase in franchise restaurants, indicating a return to positive comparable sales growth.
Oct 30, 2025, 8:30 PM
El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. Announces Third Quarter 2025 Financial Results
LOCO
Earnings
Guidance Update
Demand Weakening
- El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. reported total revenue of $121.5 million for the third quarter ended September 24, 2025, compared to $120.4 million in the prior year period.
- Net income was $7.4 million, or $0.25 per diluted share, and adjusted net income was $7.8 million, or $0.27 per diluted share for Q3 2025.
- Adjusted EBITDA increased to $17.4 million in Q3 2025, up from $15.5 million in Q3 2024.
- System-wide comparable restaurant sales decreased by 0.8% for the third quarter ended September 24, 2025.
- The company's outstanding debt balance was $61.0 million as of September 24, 2025, with an additional $6.0 million paid down subsequent to quarter-end, resulting in $55.0 million as of October 30, 2025.
Oct 30, 2025, 8:08 PM
El Pollo Loco Holdings Announces Third Quarter 2025 Financial Results
LOCO
Earnings
Guidance Update
Demand Weakening
- El Pollo Loco Holdings reported total revenue of $121.5 million and net income of $7.4 million, or $0.25 per diluted share, for the third quarter ended September 24, 2025. This compares to $120.4 million in total revenue and $6.2 million, or $0.21 per diluted share, in the prior year period.
- System-wide comparable restaurant sales decreased by 0.8% for the third quarter ended September 24, 2025, though the company noted positive traffic growth.
- The company achieved Adjusted EBITDA of $17.4 million and a restaurant contribution margin of 18.3% of company-operated restaurant revenue for Q3 2025, an increase from $15.5 million and 16.7% in Q3 2024, respectively.
- As of September 24, 2025, the company's outstanding debt balance was $61.0 million with $10.9 million in cash and cash equivalents. An additional $6.0 million was paid down on its revolving credit facility subsequent to quarter-end, reducing outstanding borrowings to $55.0 million as of October 30, 2025.
- For the remainder of 2025, the company expects to open at least ten system-wide restaurants and projects capital spending between $28.0 and $30.0 million.
Oct 30, 2025, 8:05 PM
El Pollo Loco Q1 2025 Financial & Operational Update
LOCO
Earnings
Guidance Update
Share Buyback
Product Launch
- For Q1 2025, total revenue reached $119.2M (up from $116.2M YoY) with company-operated revenue at $98.4M and comps up 0.6% (avg. check +4.6%, transactions –3.8%)
- Q1 restaurant contribution margin was 16.0% (down from 17.6%), with food & paper costs falling 120 bps to 25.2% of sales and labor costs rising 120 bps to 32.7% amid 12% wage inflation (FY forecast at 4–5%)
- Income from operations was $9.0M versus $9.7M YoY and net income was $5.5M or $0.19 per diluted share (flat)
- 2025 guidance includes opening 10–11 system-wide restaurants with $30–34M in capex, $48–51M in G&A, and an effective tax rate of 29.0–29.5%
- Expansion plans feature opening 2 new restaurants in Q1 and targeting 10–11 new restaurants (9–10 franchised, up to 1 company-owned), plus 60–70 remodels and the milestone 500th restaurant opening outside California
- Product innovation highlights include a trial of Mango Habanero fire-grilled chicken with a mid-May brand relaunch, along with upcoming Fresca wraps & salads and a $9.99 quesadilla combo
- Repurchased 159,750 shares for approximately $1.8M under its share buyback program, which was terminated on March 31, 2025
May 1, 2025, 12:00 AM
El Pollo Loco receives non-binding acquisition proposal from Biglari Capital
LOCO
M&A
Takeover Bid
- El Pollo Loco received an unsolicited, non-binding indication of interest from Biglari Capital to acquire all outstanding common shares it does not already own.
- The Company’s Board is evaluating the proposal with independent financial and legal advisors and has not set a timetable or made any decisions.
- On April 6, 2025, El Pollo Loco and Biglari Capital entered into a confidentiality agreement containing a customary standstill.
- There is no assurance the indication of interest will result in a formal offer or transaction, and the Company will not comment further unless additional disclosure is necessary.
Apr 7, 2025, 12:00 AM
Quarterly earnings call transcripts for El Pollo Loco Holdings.
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