El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. (LOCO)

Over the past six months, El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. (LOCO) stock has seen an 18.04% rise. However, the stock price has decreased by 12.90% over the last year and 30.94% over the past five years. As of November 26, 2025, the stock price gained 1.77%, rising from $10.76 to $10.95, with a market capitalization of approximately $311.23 million. Key events include the announcement of third-quarter 2025 financial results, highlighting operational momentum and expansion plans, and celebrating the opening of its 500th U.S. restaurant.

Like most restaurants, El Pollo Loco experiences demand seasonality, with sales tending to fluctuate throughout the year. The summer and warmer months are generally the busiest, while many dine-in restaurants may see a decrease in traffic during major holiday seasons. The slow season for restaurants is generally between January and February. El Pollo Loco uses promotions and menu innovation to address seasonal shifts in demand.

El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. operates and franchises fast-casual restaurants under the "El Pollo Loco" name, specializing in Mexican-style, citrus-marinated, fire-grilled chicken. The company positions itself within the "QSR+" model, offering the quality of fast-casual dining with the speed, convenience, and value of traditional quick-service restaurants. Its menu features fire-grilled chicken, available in individual and family-sized meals, along with contemporary Mexican-influenced entrees, sides, salsas, and dressings prepared fresh daily.

As of September 2025, El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. operates and franchises approximately 498 restaurants across seven U.S. states, including California, Nevada, Arizona, Texas, Colorado, Utah, and Louisiana. California has the highest concentration of locations, accounting for about 78.9% of the total. The company is actively expanding its presence, with planned openings in emerging markets and is eyeing new markets for growth in 2025. Internationally, El Pollo Loco also licenses its brand to ten restaurant locations in the Philippines.

El Pollo Loco is recognized as the 83rd most popular dining brand and the 1080th most popular brand overall. In the past year, El Pollo Loco has focused on enhancing its brand perception and market presence through strategic initiatives, including a five-part plan focusing on digital touchpoints and cost-effective franchise development, alongside remodeling efforts based on a new prototype design. Events affecting its reputation include a brand relaunch and menu innovation, the "12 Days of Pollo" promotion, and a new restaurant design with drive-thru only locations.

El Pollo Loco Holdings (NASDAQ: LOCO) is predominantly owned by institutional shareholders, who hold 84.74% of the company, while insiders own 155.64%, and retail investors hold 0.00%. 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 El Pollo Loco shareholder, owning 28.56 million shares, representing 95.34% of the company.