El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. (LOCO)

In April 2025, LOCO shares jumped after Biglari Capital offered to acquire the company. In May 2025, the company reported first-quarter revenue of $119.2 million, an increase from the prior year, though system-wide comparable restaurant sales decreased. In July 2025, El Pollo Loco reported second-quarter results, exceeding market revenue expectations with sales up 3% year-on-year and adjusted EPS of $0.28, with system-wide traffic also seeing an increase. The stock has experienced a 2.8% loss in the past six months and the third-quarter 2025 financial results are scheduled to be announced on October 30, 2025.

El Pollo Loco acknowledges that its quarterly and annual results can fluctuate due to seasonality. Consumer price sensitivity leads to higher sales at the beginning of the month, which then slow down towards the end as consumers await their next payday.

El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. operates and franchises quick-service restaurants specializing in Mexican-style grilled chicken within the Limited Service Restaurant segment. The company distinguishes itself through its signature cooking process, focusing on citrus-marinated, fire-grilled chicken and fresh ingredients, offering a variety of Mexican-inspired entrees and plant-based options.

El Pollo Loco operates approximately 500 company-owned and franchised restaurants primarily in the Southwestern United States, including California, Arizona, Colorado, Louisiana, Nevada, Texas, and Utah. The company also licenses its brand to restaurants in the Philippines and celebrated the opening of its 500th U.S. restaurant in Colorado Springs in 2025, with plans for further expansion.

El Pollo Loco has undertaken a brand refresh, including a new look, updated visual identity, and a new tagline, "Let's Get Loco™". New restaurant prototypes were unveiled in October 2024, featuring a modern design and digital ordering kiosks. Customer reviews present a mixed picture, with some appreciating the food quality, while others provide feedback regarding customer service and order accuracy. The company's Net Promoter Score (NPS) is -17, suggesting room for improvement in customer satisfaction.

El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. is primarily owned by institutional shareholders, who hold 85.29% of the company's stock, while individual insiders own 1.14% and retail investors hold 7.41%. Major institutional owners include Biglari Capital Corp., BlackRock, Inc., Dimensional Fund Advisors Lp, LSV Asset Management, and Vanguard Group Inc. Trimaran Capital LLC is noted as the largest individual shareholder.