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Upturn AI SWOT - About
LOCO 
El Pollo Loco Holdings Inc (LOCO)
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Upturn Advisory Summary
08/14/2025: LOCO (1-star) is currently NOT-A-BUY. Pass it for now.
Upturn Star Rating
Not Recommended Performance
These Stocks/ETFs, based on Upturn Advisory, consistently fall short of market performance, signaling caution before investing.
Number of Analysts
5 Analysts rated it
Limited analyst coverage, niche firm, research info may be scarce.
1 Year Target Price $14
1 Year Target Price $14
| 2 | Strong Buy |
| 0 | Buy |
| 3 | Hold |
| 0 | Sell |
| 0 | Strong Sell |
Analysis of Past Performance
Type Stock | Historic Profit -16.62% | Avg. Invested days 44 | Today’s Advisory PASS |
Upturn Star Rating | Upturn Advisory Performance  1.0 | Stock Returns Performance  1.0 |
| Profits based on simulation | Last Close 08/14/2025 |
Key Highlights
Company Size Small-Cap Stock | Market Capitalization 315.55M USD | Price to earnings Ratio 12.38 | 1Y Target Price 14 |
Price to earnings Ratio 12.38 | 1Y Target Price 14 | ||
Volume (30-day avg) 5 | Beta 0.93 | 52 Weeks Range 8.29 - 14.25 | Updated Date 08/15/2025 |
52 Weeks Range 8.29 - 14.25 | Updated Date 08/15/2025 | ||
Dividends yield (FY) - | Basic EPS (TTM) 0.85 |
Analyzing Revenue: Products, Geography and Growth
Revenue by Products
Product revenue - Year on Year
Earnings Date
Report Date 2025-07-31 | When - | Estimate 0.24 | Actual 0.28 |
Profitability
Profit Margin 5.16% | Operating Margin (TTM) 9.58% |
Management Effectiveness
Return on Assets (TTM) 4.19% | Return on Equity (TTM) 9.46% |
Valuation
Trailing PE 12.38 | Forward PE 14.03 | Enterprise Value 564879165 | Price to Sales(TTM) 0.66 |
Enterprise Value 564879165 | Price to Sales(TTM) 0.66 | ||
Enterprise Value to Revenue 1.18 | Enterprise Value to EBITDA 10.22 | Shares Outstanding 29995500 | Shares Floating 21598826 |
Shares Outstanding 29995500 | Shares Floating 21598826 | ||
Percent Insiders 2.86 | Percent Institutions 99.81 |
Upturn AI SWOT
El Pollo Loco Holdings Inc
Company Overview
History and Background
El Pollo Loco was founded in 1975 in Guasave, Mexico. The first U.S. restaurant opened in Los Angeles in 1980. El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. was incorporated in 2014 and went public that year. The company focuses on flame-grilled chicken, inspired by Mexican flavors.
Core Business Areas
- Restaurant Operations: Operating and franchising El Pollo Loco restaurants, primarily in the Southwestern United States. This involves food preparation, customer service, and restaurant management.
Leadership and Structure
The leadership team typically consists of a CEO, CFO, CMO, and COO. The organizational structure is hierarchical, with corporate management overseeing company-owned and franchised restaurant operations.
Top Products and Market Share
Key Offerings
- Flame-Grilled Chicken: El Pollo Loco's signature product, consisting of marinated and flame-grilled chicken. Competitors include KFC (YUM), Popeyes (RBI), and other fast-casual chicken chains. This represents a significant portion of their revenue. Market share data specifically attributable to this product alone is unavailable, but it drives overall brand recognition.
- Chicken Bowls & Salads: Bowls and salads featuring the flame-grilled chicken, rice, beans, and other toppings. Competitors include Chipotle (CMG) and Qdoba. This is aimed at health-conscious consumers and expands beyond just chicken.
- Tacos and Burritos: Mexican-inspired tacos and burritos, offering a broader menu selection. Competitors include Taco Bell (YUM) and Del Taco. These items provide variety and cater to different taste preferences.
Market Dynamics
Industry Overview
The fast-casual restaurant industry is competitive and driven by consumer preferences for convenience, quality, and value. Trends include increasing demand for healthier options, digital ordering, and delivery services.
Positioning
El Pollo Loco positions itself as a fast-casual Mexican restaurant specializing in flame-grilled chicken. Its competitive advantages include its unique grilling process, focus on fresh ingredients, and strong brand recognition in its core markets.
Total Addressable Market (TAM)
The fast-casual restaurant market in the U.S. is estimated to be worth hundreds of billions of dollars. El Pollo Loco is positioned to capture a share of this market by differentiating itself through its signature chicken and Mexican-inspired flavors. Specific TAM estimates dedicated solely to EPL are unavailable.
Upturn SWOT Analysis
Strengths
- Strong brand recognition in core markets
- Unique flame-grilled chicken recipe
- Focus on fresh ingredients
- Loyal customer base
Weaknesses
- Limited geographic presence
- Dependence on chicken prices
- Franchise model reliance
Opportunities
- Expansion into new markets
- Menu innovation
- Increased focus on digital ordering and delivery
- Partnerships and collaborations
Threats
- Intense competition in the fast-casual segment
- Fluctuations in food costs
- Changing consumer preferences
- Economic downturns
Competitors and Market Share
Key Competitors
- YUM
- CMG
- TACO
Competitive Landscape
El Pollo Loco competes with various fast-casual restaurants, focusing on its unique flame-grilled chicken and Mexican flavors. Advantages include a loyal customer base in its core markets. Disadvantages include a limited geographic presence and reliance on chicken prices. Market share data requires proprietary financial data sources.
Growth Trajectory and Initiatives
Historical Growth: El Pollo Loco's historical growth has been moderate, driven by new restaurant openings and same-store sales growth.
Future Projections: Future growth projections are dependent on economic conditions, expansion plans, and competitive pressures. Analyst estimates vary and are subject to change.
Recent Initiatives: Recent initiatives may include menu updates, digital marketing campaigns, and expansion into new geographic areas.
Summary
El Pollo Loco is a fast-casual restaurant chain with strong brand recognition, particularly known for its flame-grilled chicken. Its limited geographic presence and reliance on chicken prices are potential weaknesses. To sustain growth, El Pollo Loco must focus on menu innovation, expanding into new markets, and increasing its digital presence. Competition from large fast-food chains and economic fluctuations could pose threats to their trajectory.
Peer Comparison
Sources and Disclaimers
Data Sources:
- Company Website
- SEC Filings
- Analyst Reports (Unavailable)
- Market Research Reports (Unavailable)
Disclaimers:
The information provided is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Market share and financial data may be estimates or based on publicly available information and are subject to change. Analyst reports are unavailable for proprietary reasons and may not be accessible without subscription services. Any investment decisions should be made in consultation with a qualified financial advisor.
AI Summarization is directionally correct and might not be accurate.
Summarized information shown could be a few years old and not current.
Fundamental Rating based on AI could be based on old data.
AI-generated summaries may have inaccuracies (hallucinations). Please verify the information before taking action.
About El Pollo Loco Holdings Inc
Exchange NASDAQ | Headquaters Costa Mesa, CA, United States | ||
IPO Launch date 2014-07-25 | CEO & Director Ms. Elizabeth Goodwin Williams | ||
Sector Consumer Cyclical | Industry Restaurants | Full time employees 4143 | Website https://www.elpolloloco.com |
Full time employees 4143 | Website https://www.elpolloloco.com | ||
El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc., through its subsidiary, El Pollo Loco, Inc., develops, franchises, licenses, and operates quick-service restaurants under the El Pollo Loco name. The company operates and franchises restaurants located in California, Nevada, Arizona, Texas, Colorado, Utah, and Louisiana. It also licenses its brand to restaurants in the Philippines. The company was formerly known as Chicken Acquisition Corp. and changed its name to El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. in April 2014. El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. was founded in 1975 and is headquartered in Costa Mesa, California.
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