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Upturn AI SWOT - About
LOCO 
El Pollo Loco Holdings Inc (LOCO)
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Upturn Advisory Summary
06/27/2025: LOCO (1-star) has a low Upturn Star Rating. Not recommended to BUY.
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
Moderately tracked stock, growing coverage, gaining market and investor attention.
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 -11.77% | Avg. Invested days 40 | Today’s Advisory Consider higher Upturn Star rating |
Upturn Star Rating | Upturn Advisory Performance  2.0 | Stock Returns Performance  1.0 |
| Profits based on simulation | Last Close 06/27/2025 |
Key Highlights
Company Size Small-Cap Stock | Market Capitalization 327.57M USD | Price to earnings Ratio 12.67 | 1Y Target Price 14 |
Price to earnings Ratio 12.67 | 1Y Target Price 14 | ||
Volume (30-day avg) 5 | Beta 1.03 | 52 Weeks Range 8.29 - 14.25 | Updated Date 06/30/2025 |
52 Weeks Range 8.29 - 14.25 | Updated Date 06/30/2025 | ||
Dividends yield (FY) - | Basic EPS (TTM) 0.86 |
Analyzing Revenue: Products, Geography and Growth
Revenue by Products
Product revenue - Year on Year
Earnings Date
Report Date - | When - | Estimate - | Actual - |
Profitability
Profit Margin 5.3% | Operating Margin (TTM) 7.53% |
Management Effectiveness
Return on Assets (TTM) 4.16% | Return on Equity (TTM) 9.68% |
Valuation
Trailing PE 12.67 | Forward PE 14.03 | Enterprise Value 585688392 | Price to Sales(TTM) 0.69 |
Enterprise Value 585688392 | Price to Sales(TTM) 0.69 | ||
Enterprise Value to Revenue 1.23 | Enterprise Value to EBITDA 10.42 | Shares Outstanding 30052200 | Shares Floating 21655305 |
Shares Outstanding 30052200 | Shares Floating 21655305 | ||
Percent Insiders 2.85 | Percent Institutions 99.94 |
Analyst Ratings
Rating 3 | Target Price 14 | Buy - | Strong Buy 2 |
Buy - | Strong Buy 2 | ||
Hold 3 | Sell - | Strong Sell - | |
Strong Sell - |
Upturn AI SWOT
El Pollo Loco Holdings Inc
Company Overview
History and Background
El Pollo Loco, founded in 1975 in Guasave, Mexico, expanded to the US in 1980. It is known for its citrus-marinated, fire-grilled chicken. Became a public company as El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. in 2014.
Core Business Areas
- Restaurant Operations: Involves owning, operating, and franchising El Pollo Loco restaurants. Core offerings include fire-grilled chicken meals, bowls, salads, and sides.
- Franchising: Licenses the El Pollo Loco brand and operating system to franchisees, generating revenue through royalties and franchise fees.
Leadership and Structure
CEO: Larry Roberts. Operates with a traditional corporate structure, including executive leadership, board of directors, and various functional departments (marketing, operations, finance, etc.).
Top Products and Market Share
Key Offerings
- Fire-Grilled Chicken: El Pollo Loco's signature product, consisting of citrus-marinated, fire-grilled chicken. Competitors include KFC, Popeyes, and other chicken-focused chains. Hard to say market share of this specific product.
- Bowls: Various bowls featuring chicken, rice, beans, and other ingredients. Competitors include Chipotle and Qdoba. Hard to say market share of this specific product.
- Chicken Meals: Offers Chicken meals for individuals and families with signature chicken and sides. Competitors include KFC, Popeyes, and other chicken-focused chains. Hard to say market share of this specific product.
Market Dynamics
Industry Overview
The fast-casual restaurant industry is highly competitive and subject to changing consumer preferences, food costs, and labor market conditions.
Positioning
El Pollo Loco positions itself as a fast-casual chain offering authentic Mexican-inspired cuisine, differentiating through its fire-grilled chicken preparation and flavors.
Total Addressable Market (TAM)
The fast-casual restaurant market is estimated at hundreds of billions of dollars annually. El Pollo Loco holds a small but significant portion, focusing on the Mexican-inspired segment.
Upturn SWOT Analysis
Strengths
- Unique fire-grilled chicken offering
- Strong brand recognition in core markets (California)
- Established franchise system
- Relatively healthy menu options
Weaknesses
- Geographic concentration (primarily West Coast)
- Vulnerability to fluctuations in chicken prices
- High labor costs in California
- Intense competition in the fast-casual space
Opportunities
- Expansion into new geographic markets
- Menu innovation and limited-time offers
- Increased focus on digital ordering and delivery
- Strategic partnerships with third-party delivery services
Threats
- Rising food and labor costs
- Changing consumer preferences
- Increased competition from other fast-casual chains
- Economic downturns impacting consumer spending
Competitors and Market Share
Key Competitors
- CMG
- YUM
- ARCO
- WEN
Competitive Landscape
El Pollo Loco competes on taste, authenticity, and value. Its unique fire-grilled chicken is a key differentiator. Geographic concentration is a disadvantage.
Growth Trajectory and Initiatives
Historical Growth: Growth has been moderate, driven by new restaurant openings and same-store sales increases. Requires specific, up-to-date data.
Future Projections: Analyst estimates vary but generally project continued moderate growth. Requires specific, up-to-date data.
Recent Initiatives: Focus on digital ordering, drive-thru enhancements, and menu innovation.
Summary
El Pollo Loco is a regionally strong fast-casual chain known for its unique fire-grilled chicken. While its brand is well-established, geographic concentration and competition pose challenges. Focusing on expansion and operational efficiencies are key to its future success.
Peer Comparison
Sources and Disclaimers
Data Sources:
- El Pollo Loco Holdings Inc. Investor Relations
- Company Filings (SEC)
- Market Research Reports
- Analyst Reports
Disclaimers:
This analysis is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Market data and company performance are subject to change.
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 4000 | Website https://www.elpolloloco.com |
Full time employees 4000 | 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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