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

NASDAQ:LOCO • US2686031079

11.18 USD
+0.06 (+0.54%)
At close: Mar 4, 2026
11.18 USD
0 (0%)
After Hours: 3/4/2026, 8:00:01 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. LOCO has only an average score on both its financial health and profitability. 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.
  • In the past year LOCO had a positive cash flow from operations.
  • LOCO had positive earnings in each of the past 5 years.
  • 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

  • LOCO's Return On Assets of 4.30% is fine compared to the rest of the industry. LOCO outperforms 63.20% of its industry peers.
  • LOCO has a better Return On Equity (9.15%) than 67.20% 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 10.78%.
  • The last Return On Invested Capital (5.65%) for LOCO is above the 3 year average (5.08%), which is a sign of increasing profitability.
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

  • The Profit Margin of LOCO (5.39%) is comparable to the rest of the industry.
  • In the last couple of years the Profit Margin of LOCO has remained more or less at the same level.
  • LOCO has a Operating Margin of 8.58%. This is comparable to the rest of the industry: LOCO outperforms 49.60% of its industry peers.
  • In the last couple of years the Operating Margin of LOCO has remained more or less at the same level.
  • LOCO has a better Gross Margin (53.19%) than 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.
  • Compared to 1 year ago, LOCO has less shares outstanding
  • LOCO has less shares outstanding than it did 5 years ago.
  • LOCO has a better debt/assets ratio than last year.
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 1.65, we must say that LOCO is in the distress zone and has some risk of bankruptcy.
  • LOCO's Altman-Z score of 1.65 is in line compared to the rest of the industry. LOCO outperforms 52.80% of its industry peers.
  • The Debt to FCF ratio of LOCO is 2.91, which is a good value as it means it would take LOCO, 2.91 years of fcf income to pay off all of its debts.
  • LOCO's Debt to FCF ratio of 2.91 is amongst the best of the industry. LOCO outperforms 81.60% of its industry peers.
  • LOCO has a Debt/Equity ratio of 0.22. This is a healthy value indicating a solid balance between debt and equity.
  • LOCO has a better Debt to Equity ratio (0.22) than 76.00% of its industry peers.
Industry RankSector Rank
Debt/Equity 0.22
Debt/FCF 2.91
Altman-Z 1.65
ROIC/WACC0.7
WACC8.07%
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.
  • Looking at the Current ratio, with a value of 0.41, LOCO is doing worse than 84.00% of the companies in the same industry.
  • 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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WACCDebt/EquityHow to determine the health of a companyAltman-Z scoreShow peers with great health

5

3. LOCO Growth Analysis

3.1 Past

  • The Earnings Per Share has grown by an nice 10.59% over the past year.
  • The Earnings Per Share has been growing slightly by 3.21% on average over the past years.
  • The Revenue has been growing slightly by 2.09% in the past 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.
  • Based on estimates for the next years, LOCO will show a small growth in Revenue. The Revenue will grow by 2.45% on average per year.
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

  • When comparing the EPS growth rate of the last years to the growth rate of the upcoming years, we see that the growth is accelerating.
  • 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 11.89, which indicates a very decent valuation of LOCO.
  • Based on the Price/Earnings ratio, LOCO is valued cheaply inside the industry as 84.00% of the companies are valued more expensively.
  • The average S&P500 Price/Earnings ratio is at 27.03. LOCO is valued rather cheaply when compared to this.
  • LOCO is valuated reasonably with a Price/Forward Earnings ratio of 11.54.
  • LOCO's Price/Forward Earnings ratio is rather cheap when compared to the industry. LOCO is cheaper than 83.20% of the companies in the same industry.
  • The average S&P500 Price/Forward Earnings ratio is at 25.11. LOCO is valued rather cheaply when compared to this.
Industry RankSector Rank
PE 11.89
Fwd PE 11.54
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

  • 85.60% of the companies in the same industry are more expensive than LOCO, based on the Enterprise Value to EBITDA ratio.
  • 76.80% of the companies in the same industry are more expensive than LOCO, based on the Price/Free Cash Flow ratio.
Industry RankSector Rank
P/FCF 15.58
EV/EBITDA 6.75
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 high PEG Ratio(NY), which compensates the Price/Earnings for growth, indicates LOCO does not grow enough to justify the current Price/Earnings ratio.
  • The decent profitability rating of LOCO may justify a higher PE ratio.
PEG (NY)1.81
PEG (5Y)3.71
EPS Next 2Y4.34%
EPS Next 3Y6.03%

More info and screens

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

0

5. LOCO Dividend Analysis

5.1 Amount

  • LOCO does not give a dividend.
Industry RankSector Rank
Dividend Yield 0%

More info and screens

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LOCO Fundamentals: All Metrics, Ratios and Statistics

EL POLLO LOCO HOLDINGS INC

NASDAQ:LOCO (3/4/2026, 8:00:01 PM)

After market: 11.18 0 (0%)

11.18

+0.06 (+0.54%)

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 Cap334.84M
Revenue(TTM)480.81M
Net Income(TTM)25.90M
Analysts78.18
Price Target15.43 (38.01%)
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 11.89
Fwd PE 11.54
P/S 0.7
P/FCF 15.58
P/OCF 8.41
P/B 1.18
P/tB N/A
EV/EBITDA 6.75
EPS(TTM)0.94
EY8.41%
EPS(NY)0.97
Fwd EY8.67%
FCF(TTM)0.72
FCFY6.42%
OCF(TTM)1.33
OCFY11.89%
SpS16.05
BVpS9.45
TBVpS-0.92
PEG (NY)1.81
PEG (5Y)3.71
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 1.65
F-Score8
WACC8.07%
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 11.89 and the Price/Book (PB) ratio is 1.18.


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%.