EL POLLO LOCO HOLDINGS INC (LOCO) Fundamental Analysis & Valuation

NASDAQ:LOCO • US2686031079

11 USD
-0.21 (-1.87%)
At close: Mar 6, 2026
10.82 USD
-0.18 (-1.64%)
After Hours: 3/6/2026, 8:00:00 PM
Overview Stock Chart Technical Analysis Fundamental Analysis Forecast Earnings Financials Ownership News

This LOCO fundamental analysis includes valuation metrics, fair value assessment, financial health analysis, profitability trends, growth metrics and dividend sustainability analysis.

Fundamental Rating

5

LOCO gets a fundamental rating of 5 out of 10. The analysis compared the fundamentals against 125 industry peers in the Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure industry. Both the profitability and the financial health of LOCO get a neutral evaluation. Nothing too spectacular is happening here. LOCO may be a bit undervalued, certainly considering the very reasonable score on growth


Dividend Valuation Growth Profitability Health

6

1. LOCO Profitability Analysis

1.1 Basic Checks

  • In the past year LOCO was profitable.
  • LOCO had a positive operating cash flow in the past year.
  • Each year in the past 5 years LOCO has been profitable.
  • In the past 5 years LOCO always reported a positive cash flow from operatings.
LOCO Yearly Net Income VS EBIT VS OCF VS FCFLOCO Yearly Net Income VS EBIT VS OCF VS FCFYearly Net Income VS EBIT VS OCF VS FCF 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 0 20M 40M

1.2 Ratios

  • Looking at the Return On Assets, with a value of 4.30%, LOCO is in the better half of the industry, outperforming 64.00% of the companies in the same industry.
  • LOCO has a better Return On Equity (9.15%) than 68.00% of its industry peers.
  • With a Return On Invested Capital value of 5.65%, LOCO perfoms like the industry average, outperforming 52.00% of the companies in the same industry.
  • Measured over the past 3 years, the Average Return On Invested Capital for LOCO is significantly below the industry average of 10.72%.
  • The 3 year average ROIC (5.08%) for LOCO is below the current ROIC(5.65%), indicating increased profibility in the last year.
Industry RankSector Rank
ROA 4.3%
ROE 9.15%
ROIC 5.65%
ROA(3y)4.05%
ROA(5y)4.18%
ROE(3y)9.15%
ROE(5y)9.13%
ROIC(3y)5.08%
ROIC(5y)5.31%
LOCO Yearly ROA, ROE, ROICLOCO Yearly ROA, ROE, ROICYearly ROA, ROE, ROIC 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 0 2 -2 4 6 8 10

1.3 Margins

  • LOCO has a Profit Margin (5.39%) which is in line with its industry peers.
  • LOCO's Profit Margin has been stable in the last couple of years.
  • LOCO has a Operating Margin of 8.58%. This is comparable to the rest of the industry: LOCO outperforms 48.80% of its industry peers.
  • LOCO's Operating Margin has been stable in the last couple of years.
  • LOCO's Gross Margin of 53.19% is fine compared to the rest of the industry. LOCO outperforms 62.40% of its industry peers.
  • In the last couple of years the Gross Margin of LOCO has remained more or less at the same level.
Industry RankSector Rank
OM 8.58%
PM (TTM) 5.39%
GM 53.19%
OM growth 3Y-3.32%
OM growth 5Y0.33%
PM growth 3Y-5.35%
PM growth 5Y-0.72%
GM growth 3Y0.83%
GM growth 5Y1.16%
LOCO Yearly Profit, Operating, Gross MarginsLOCO Yearly Profit, Operating, Gross MarginsYearly Profit, Operating, Gross Margins 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 0 10 20 30 40 50

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4

2. LOCO Health Analysis

2.1 Basic Checks

  • LOCO has a Return on Invested Capital (ROIC), which is below the Cost of Capital (WACC), which means it is destroying value.
  • LOCO has less shares outstanding than it did 1 year ago.
  • Compared to 5 years ago, LOCO has less shares outstanding
  • The debt/assets ratio for LOCO has been reduced compared to a year ago.
LOCO Yearly Shares OutstandingLOCO Yearly Shares OutstandingYearly Shares Outstanding 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 10M 20M 30M
LOCO Yearly Total Debt VS Total AssetsLOCO Yearly Total Debt VS Total AssetsYearly Total Debt VS Total Assets 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 200M 400M 600M

2.2 Solvency

  • Based on the Altman-Z score of 1.66, we must say that LOCO is in the distress zone and has some risk of bankruptcy.
  • Looking at the Altman-Z score, with a value of 1.66, LOCO is in line with its industry, outperforming 53.60% of the companies in the same industry.
  • LOCO has a debt to FCF ratio of 2.91. This is a good value and a sign of high solvency as LOCO would need 2.91 years to pay back of all of its debts.
  • Looking at the Debt to FCF ratio, with a value of 2.91, LOCO belongs to the top of the industry, outperforming 81.60% of the companies in the same industry.
  • A Debt/Equity ratio of 0.22 indicates that LOCO is not too dependend on debt financing.
  • With a decent Debt to Equity ratio value of 0.22, LOCO is doing good in the industry, outperforming 76.80% of the companies in the same industry.
Industry RankSector Rank
Debt/Equity 0.22
Debt/FCF 2.91
Altman-Z 1.66
ROIC/WACC0.7
WACC8.12%
LOCO Yearly LT Debt VS Equity VS FCFLOCO Yearly LT Debt VS Equity VS FCFYearly LT Debt VS Equity VS FCF 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 100M 200M 300M

2.3 Liquidity

  • LOCO has a Current Ratio of 0.41. This is a bad value and indicates that LOCO is not financially healthy enough and could expect problems in meeting its short term obligations.
  • LOCO has a Current ratio of 0.41. This is amonst the worse of the industry: LOCO underperforms 84.00% of its industry peers.
  • LOCO has a Quick Ratio of 0.41. This is a bad value and indicates that LOCO is not financially healthy enough and could expect problems in meeting its short term obligations.
  • The Quick ratio of LOCO (0.38) is worse than 81.60% of its industry peers.
Industry RankSector Rank
Current Ratio 0.41
Quick Ratio 0.38
LOCO Yearly Current Assets VS Current LiabilitesLOCO Yearly Current Assets VS Current LiabilitesYearly Current Assets VS Current Liabilites 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 20M 40M 60M 80M

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5

3. LOCO Growth Analysis

3.1 Past

  • The Earnings Per Share has grown by an nice 10.59% over the past year.
  • LOCO shows a small growth in Earnings Per Share. Measured over the last years, the EPS has been growing by 3.21% yearly.
  • Looking at the last year, LOCO shows a small growth in Revenue. The Revenue has grown by 2.09% in the last year.
  • Measured over the past years, LOCO shows a small growth in Revenue. The Revenue has been growing by 1.35% on average per year.
EPS 1Y (TTM)10.59%
EPS 3Y1.15%
EPS 5Y3.21%
EPS Q2Q%28.57%
Revenue 1Y (TTM)2.09%
Revenue growth 3Y1.35%
Revenue growth 5Y1.35%
Sales Q2Q%0.93%

3.2 Future

  • Based on estimates for the next years, LOCO will show a small growth in Earnings Per Share. The EPS will grow by 6.03% on average per year.
  • The Revenue is expected to grow by 2.45% on average over the next years.
EPS Next Y6.58%
EPS Next 2Y4.34%
EPS Next 3Y6.03%
EPS Next 5YN/A
Revenue Next Year3.59%
Revenue Next 2Y2.63%
Revenue Next 3Y2.45%
Revenue Next 5YN/A

3.3 Evolution

  • The EPS growth rate is accelerating: in the next years the growth will be better than in the last years.
  • The Revenue growth rate is accelerating: in the next years the growth will be better than in the last years.
LOCO Yearly Revenue VS EstimatesLOCO Yearly Revenue VS EstimatesYearly Revenue VS Estimates 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 100M 200M 300M 400M 500M
LOCO Yearly EPS VS EstimatesLOCO Yearly EPS VS EstimatesYearly EPS VS Estimates 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1

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7

4. LOCO Valuation Analysis

4.1 Price/Earnings Ratio

  • The Price/Earnings ratio is 11.70, which indicates a very decent valuation of LOCO.
  • Based on the Price/Earnings ratio, LOCO is valued cheaply inside the industry as 84.80% of the companies are valued more expensively.
  • LOCO is valuated cheaply when we compare the Price/Earnings ratio to 26.29, which is the current average of the S&P500 Index.
  • The Price/Forward Earnings ratio is 11.35, which indicates a very decent valuation of LOCO.
  • LOCO's Price/Forward Earnings ratio is rather cheap when compared to the industry. LOCO is cheaper than 84.00% of the companies in the same industry.
  • The average S&P500 Price/Forward Earnings ratio is at 24.57. LOCO is valued rather cheaply when compared to this.
Industry RankSector Rank
PE 11.7
Fwd PE 11.35
LOCO Price Earnings VS Forward Price EarningsLOCO Price Earnings VS Forward Price Earnings ChartPrice Earnings - Forward Price Earnings PE FPE 10 20 30 40

4.2 Price Multiples

  • Based on the Enterprise Value to EBITDA ratio, LOCO is valued cheaply inside the industry as 84.80% of the companies are valued more expensively.
  • Based on the Price/Free Cash Flow ratio, LOCO is valued a bit cheaper than the industry average as 78.40% of the companies are valued more expensively.
Industry RankSector Rank
P/FCF 15.33
EV/EBITDA 6.8
LOCO Per share dataLOCO EPS, Sales, OCF, FCF, BookValue per sharePer Share Data Per Share 0 5 10 15

4.3 Compensation for Growth

  • The PEG Ratio(NY), which compensates the Price/Earnings for growth, indicates a correct valuation of the company.
  • The decent profitability rating of LOCO may justify a higher PE ratio.
PEG (NY)1.78
PEG (5Y)3.65
EPS Next 2Y4.34%
EPS Next 3Y6.03%

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Price/EarningsPrice/FCFFCF per shareEV/EBITDAPEG RATIOShow best valued peers

0

5. LOCO Dividend Analysis

5.1 Amount

  • No dividends for LOCO!.
Industry RankSector Rank
Dividend Yield 0%

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LOCO Fundamentals: All Metrics, Ratios and Statistics

EL POLLO LOCO HOLDINGS INC

NASDAQ:LOCO (3/6/2026, 8:00:00 PM)

After market: 10.82 -0.18 (-1.64%)

11

-0.21 (-1.87%)

Chartmill FA Rating
GICS IndustryGroupConsumer Services
GICS IndustryHotels, Restaurants & Leisure
Earnings (Last)10-30
Earnings (Next)03-12
Inst Owners92.54%
Inst Owner Change1.18%
Ins Owners1.98%
Ins Owner Change0.27%
Market Cap329.45M
Revenue(TTM)480.81M
Net Income(TTM)25.90M
Analysts78.18
Price Target15.43 (40.27%)
Short Float %5.86%
Short Ratio8.46
Dividend
Industry RankSector Rank
Dividend Yield 0%
Yearly DividendN/A
Dividend Growth(5Y)N/A
DP0%
Div Incr Years0
Div Non Decr Years0
Ex-DateN/A
Surprises & Revisions
EPS beat(2)2
Avg EPS beat(2)18.45%
Min EPS beat(2)13.2%
Max EPS beat(2)23.69%
EPS beat(4)3
Avg EPS beat(4)18.25%
Min EPS beat(4)-9.13%
Max EPS beat(4)45.24%
EPS beat(8)6
Avg EPS beat(8)21.17%
EPS beat(12)10
Avg EPS beat(12)18.49%
EPS beat(16)13
Avg EPS beat(16)17.2%
Revenue beat(2)0
Avg Revenue beat(2)-2.08%
Min Revenue beat(2)-3.46%
Max Revenue beat(2)-0.7%
Revenue beat(4)0
Avg Revenue beat(4)-1.58%
Min Revenue beat(4)-3.46%
Max Revenue beat(4)-0.7%
Revenue beat(8)2
Avg Revenue beat(8)-0.73%
Revenue beat(12)2
Avg Revenue beat(12)-1.27%
Revenue beat(16)3
Avg Revenue beat(16)-1.1%
PT rev (1m)0%
PT rev (3m)4.31%
EPS NQ rev (1m)0%
EPS NQ rev (3m)-6.02%
EPS NY rev (1m)-0.27%
EPS NY rev (3m)2.42%
Revenue NQ rev (1m)0%
Revenue NQ rev (3m)-0.95%
Revenue NY rev (1m)-0.02%
Revenue NY rev (3m)-0.25%
Valuation
Industry RankSector Rank
PE 11.7
Fwd PE 11.35
P/S 0.69
P/FCF 15.33
P/OCF 8.28
P/B 1.16
P/tB N/A
EV/EBITDA 6.8
EPS(TTM)0.94
EY8.55%
EPS(NY)0.97
Fwd EY8.81%
FCF(TTM)0.72
FCFY6.52%
OCF(TTM)1.33
OCFY12.08%
SpS16.05
BVpS9.45
TBVpS-0.92
PEG (NY)1.78
PEG (5Y)3.65
Graham Number14.14
Profitability
Industry RankSector Rank
ROA 4.3%
ROE 9.15%
ROCE 7.74%
ROIC 5.65%
ROICexc 5.77%
ROICexgc 14.24%
OM 8.58%
PM (TTM) 5.39%
GM 53.19%
FCFM 4.47%
ROA(3y)4.05%
ROA(5y)4.18%
ROE(3y)9.15%
ROE(5y)9.13%
ROIC(3y)5.08%
ROIC(5y)5.31%
ROICexc(3y)5.17%
ROICexc(5y)5.47%
ROICexgc(3y)13.16%
ROICexgc(5y)13.82%
ROCE(3y)6.96%
ROCE(5y)7.28%
ROICexgc growth 3Y-2.78%
ROICexgc growth 5Y4.42%
ROICexc growth 3Y-2.31%
ROICexc growth 5Y2.81%
OM growth 3Y-3.32%
OM growth 5Y0.33%
PM growth 3Y-5.35%
PM growth 5Y-0.72%
GM growth 3Y0.83%
GM growth 5Y1.16%
F-Score8
Asset Turnover0.8
Health
Industry RankSector Rank
Debt/Equity 0.22
Debt/FCF 2.91
Debt/EBITDA 1.1
Cap/Depr 116.27%
Cap/Sales 3.81%
Interest Coverage 9.06
Cash Conversion 69.85%
Profit Quality 82.96%
Current Ratio 0.41
Quick Ratio 0.38
Altman-Z 1.66
F-Score8
WACC8.12%
ROIC/WACC0.7
Cap/Depr(3y)133.19%
Cap/Depr(5y)110.29%
Cap/Sales(3y)4.27%
Cap/Sales(5y)3.63%
Profit Quality(3y)91.05%
Profit Quality(5y)106.37%
High Growth Momentum
Growth
EPS 1Y (TTM)10.59%
EPS 3Y1.15%
EPS 5Y3.21%
EPS Q2Q%28.57%
EPS Next Y6.58%
EPS Next 2Y4.34%
EPS Next 3Y6.03%
EPS Next 5YN/A
Revenue 1Y (TTM)2.09%
Revenue growth 3Y1.35%
Revenue growth 5Y1.35%
Sales Q2Q%0.93%
Revenue Next Year3.59%
Revenue Next 2Y2.63%
Revenue Next 3Y2.45%
Revenue Next 5YN/A
EBIT growth 1Y1.36%
EBIT growth 3Y-2.01%
EBIT growth 5Y1.69%
EBIT Next Year59.6%
EBIT Next 3Y18.23%
EBIT Next 5YN/A
FCF growth 1Y-20.27%
FCF growth 3Y-7.55%
FCF growth 5Y6%
OCF growth 1Y-19.02%
OCF growth 3Y-3.53%
OCF growth 5Y5.3%

EL POLLO LOCO HOLDINGS INC / LOCO FAQ

What is the ChartMill fundamental rating of EL POLLO LOCO HOLDINGS INC (LOCO) stock?

ChartMill assigns a fundamental rating of 5 / 10 to LOCO.


What is the valuation status of EL POLLO LOCO HOLDINGS INC (LOCO) stock?

ChartMill assigns a valuation rating of 7 / 10 to EL POLLO LOCO HOLDINGS INC (LOCO). This can be considered as Undervalued.


What is the profitability of LOCO stock?

EL POLLO LOCO HOLDINGS INC (LOCO) has a profitability rating of 6 / 10.


Can you provide the PE and PB ratios for LOCO stock?

The Price/Earnings (PE) ratio for EL POLLO LOCO HOLDINGS INC (LOCO) is 11.7 and the Price/Book (PB) ratio is 1.16.


Can you provide the dividend sustainability for LOCO stock?

The dividend rating of EL POLLO LOCO HOLDINGS INC (LOCO) is 0 / 10 and the dividend payout ratio is 0%.