LOCO · NASDAQ
Consumer Cyclical · Restaurants
$15.37
+2.40%
Close on Oct 29, 2026
Research data through 2026-10-29
Long-term research evidence only. No price targets, no trading signals, no recommendations.
Free research · no account required
Research data through Oct 29, 2026. Research is updated periodically, not in real time.
64
of 100 · stored research reading
Stored Quality research reads 64 of 100, a middle-of-the-universe reading. The measurements behind it are mixed.
Quality research measures durability of the business itself from stored fundamentals: balance-sheet strength, profitability consistency and cash generation. It is a research reading, not a prediction of future returns.
How this is measured62
of 100 · stored research reading
Stored Fundamental Momentum research reads 62 of 100. Stored measurements classify recent reported fundamentals as accelerating. This describes reported financial change already disclosed, with no forward-looking claim.
Fundamental Momentum research measures the direction of recently reported company fundamentals compared with the company's own history. It describes reported change, not future price movement.
How this is measured45
of 100 · stored research reading
Stored Capital Returns research reads 45 of 100, recorded as moderate. A dividend is recorded, but no consecutive-year record is stored. Share count has been reduced at about 3.7% a year in the stored window.
Capital Returns research measures how a company has actually returned cash to shareholders: dividend record, buyback effectiveness, dilution control and how those payments were funded.
How this is measuredStored ratios recorded at the last research date (2026-10-28). Valuation Intelligence remains research context and is not a validated allocation signal.
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Plain-English definitions, with the formula and the limitations of each measure.
In the company’s own words
We opened our first location on Alvarado Street in Los Angeles, California, in 1980, and have grown our restaurant system to 503 domestic restaurants, comprised of 175 company-operated and 328 franchised restaurants as of December 31, 2025. Our restaurants are located principally in California, but also in Arizona, Nevada, Texas, Utah, Colorado, Washington and Louisiana. Additionally, as of December 31, 2025, we had 8 licensed restaurants in the Philippines. Our typical restaurant is a free-standing building with drive-thru service that ranges in size from 2,200 to 3,000 square feet with seating for approximately 50 to 70 people.
El Pollo Loco is a differentiated and growing restaurant concept that specializes in fire-grilling citrus-marinated chicken and operates in the limited service restaurant ("LSR") market segment. We believe that our market position to make and serve quality chicken that is fast and easy sets El Pollo Loco apart. Our distinctive menu features our signature product, citrus-marinated fire-grilled chicken, served in a variety of Mexican-inspired entrees, like burritos, tostadas, and salads, as well as bone-in chicken meals available in a variety of sizes to feed individuals and larger groups. Our entrees include favorites such as tostadas, burritos, bowls, and salads, and we offer a variety of fresh salsas and delicious dressings that give our customers the opportunity to customize their meals. Our distinctive menu with high quality chicken entrees appeals to consumers across a wide variety of socio-economic backgrounds and drives our balanced composition of sales throughout the day, including at lunch and dinner.
The Company operates in one operating segment. All significant revenues relate to retail sales of food and beverages through either company or franchised restaurants. Financial information about our operations, including our revenues and expenses for fiscal 2025, 2024 and 2023, and our total assets as of the end of fiscal 2025 and 2024, is included in our "Audited Consolidated Financial Statements" and accompanying "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements" in this Annual Report. See "Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data."
The restaurant industry is divided into two market segments: full service and limited service. We operate within the LSR segment, and we strive to offer the food and dining experience of a fast-casual restaurant and the speed, value, and convenience of a quick-service restaurant ("QSR"). We strive to offer menu options that are made with fresh ingredients and provide a quality, "better for you" alternative to typical fast food, all while using Mexican flavors to make our food craveable and delicious.
Quoted from the business section of this company’s 10-K filed March 13, 2026. Read the filing
General research only. Not personalized advice. Public filings may be delayed, amended, incomplete, or reflect positions that have changed since the reporting date.
