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

NASDAQ:LOCO • US2686031079

Current stock price

13.89 USD
+0.01 (+0.07%)
At close:
13.89 USD
0 (0%)
After Hours:

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

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.
  • Each year in the past 5 years LOCO had a positive operating cash flow.
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 2025 0 20M 40M

1.2 Ratios

  • LOCO has a better Return On Assets (4.37%) than 62.70% of its industry peers.
  • With a decent Return On Equity value of 9.10%, LOCO is doing good in the industry, outperforming 66.67% of the companies in the same industry.
  • LOCO has a Return On Invested Capital (5.77%) which is comparable to the rest of the industry.
  • LOCO had an Average Return On Invested Capital over the past 3 years of 5.53%. This is significantly below the industry average of 10.66%.
  • The 3 year average ROIC (5.53%) for LOCO is below the current ROIC(5.77%), indicating increased profibility in the last year.
Industry RankSector Rank
ROA 4.37%
ROE 9.1%
ROIC 5.77%
ROA(3y)4.34%
ROA(5y)4.25%
ROE(3y)9.72%
ROE(5y)9.18%
ROIC(3y)5.53%
ROIC(5y)5.33%
LOCO Yearly ROA, ROE, ROICLOCO Yearly ROA, ROE, ROICYearly ROA, ROE, ROIC 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 0 2 -2 4 6 8 10

1.3 Margins

  • Looking at the Profit Margin, with a value of 5.40%, LOCO is in the better half of the industry, outperforming 61.90% of the companies in the same 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 (8.66%) which is in line with its industry peers.
  • LOCO's Operating Margin has been stable in the last couple of years.
  • LOCO's Gross Margin of 53.61% is fine compared to the rest of the industry. LOCO outperforms 61.90% of its industry peers.
  • LOCO's Gross Margin has been stable in the last couple of years.
Industry RankSector Rank
OM 8.66%
PM (TTM) 5.4%
GM 53.61%
OM growth 3Y10.11%
OM growth 5Y-1.14%
PM growth 3Y6.89%
PM growth 5Y-1.23%
GM growth 3Y4.4%
GM growth 5Y1.42%
LOCO Yearly Profit, Operating, Gross MarginsLOCO Yearly Profit, Operating, Gross MarginsYearly Profit, Operating, Gross Margins 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 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 more shares outstanding
  • The number of shares outstanding for LOCO has been reduced compared to 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 2025 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 2025 200M 400M 600M

2.2 Solvency

  • An Altman-Z score of 1.82 indicates that LOCO is not a great score, but indicates only limited risk for bankruptcy at the moment.
  • Looking at the Altman-Z score, with a value of 1.82, LOCO is in line with its industry, outperforming 53.17% of the companies in the same industry.
  • The Debt to FCF ratio of LOCO is 2.07, which is a good value as it means it would take LOCO, 2.07 years of fcf income to pay off all of its debts.
  • LOCO's Debt to FCF ratio of 2.07 is amongst the best of the industry. LOCO outperforms 84.13% of its industry peers.
  • LOCO has a Debt/Equity ratio of 0.18. This is a healthy value indicating a solid balance between debt and equity.
  • LOCO's Debt to Equity ratio of 0.18 is fine compared to the rest of the industry. LOCO outperforms 76.98% of its industry peers.
Industry RankSector Rank
Debt/Equity 0.18
Debt/FCF 2.07
Altman-Z 1.82
ROIC/WACC0.68
WACC8.47%
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 2025 100M 200M 300M

2.3 Liquidity

  • A Current Ratio of 0.32 indicates that LOCO may have some problems paying its short term obligations.
  • LOCO's Current ratio of 0.32 is on the low side compared to the rest of the industry. LOCO is outperformed by 90.48% of its industry peers.
  • LOCO has a Quick Ratio of 0.32. 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's Quick ratio of 0.30 is on the low side compared to the rest of the industry. LOCO is outperformed by 88.10% of its industry peers.
Industry RankSector Rank
Current Ratio 0.32
Quick Ratio 0.3
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 2025 20M 40M 60M 80M

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WACCDebt/EquityHow to determine the health of a companyAltman-Z scoreShow peers with great health

4

3. LOCO Growth Analysis

3.1 Past

  • The Earnings Per Share has grown by an nice 11.24% over the past year.
  • Measured over the past 5 years, LOCO shows a small growth in Earnings Per Share. The EPS has been growing by 4.35% on average per year.
  • Looking at the last year, LOCO shows a small growth in Revenue. The Revenue has grown by 3.60% in the last year.
  • Measured over the past years, LOCO shows a small growth in Revenue. The Revenue has been growing by 2.84% on average per year.
EPS 1Y (TTM)11.24%
EPS 3Y19.51%
EPS 5Y4.35%
EPS Q2Q%25%
Revenue 1Y (TTM)3.6%
Revenue growth 3Y1.4%
Revenue growth 5Y2.84%
Sales Q2Q%8.08%

3.2 Future

  • LOCO is expected to show a small growth in Earnings Per Share. In the coming years, the EPS will grow by 3.51% yearly.
  • LOCO is expected to show a small growth in Revenue. In the coming years, the Revenue will grow by 2.87% yearly.
EPS Next Y-2.12%
EPS Next 2Y3.51%
EPS Next 3YN/A
EPS Next 5YN/A
Revenue Next Year1.78%
Revenue Next 2Y2.87%
Revenue Next 3YN/A
Revenue Next 5YN/A

3.3 Evolution

  • The EPS growth rate is stable: in the next years the growth will be about the same than in the last years.
  • When comparing the Revenue growth rate of the last years to the growth rate of the upcoming years, we see that the growth is stable.
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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5

4. LOCO Valuation Analysis

4.1 Price/Earnings Ratio

  • Based on the Price/Earnings ratio of 14.03, the valuation of LOCO can be described as correct.
  • Based on the Price/Earnings ratio, LOCO is valued cheaper than 81.75% of the companies in the same industry.
  • When comparing the Price/Earnings ratio of LOCO to the average of the S&P500 Index (26.17), we can say LOCO is valued slightly cheaper.
  • A Price/Forward Earnings ratio of 14.33 indicates a correct valuation of LOCO.
  • Compared to the rest of the industry, the Price/Forward Earnings ratio of LOCO indicates a somewhat cheap valuation: LOCO is cheaper than 74.60% of the companies listed in the same industry.
  • LOCO is valuated rather cheaply when we compare the Price/Forward Earnings ratio to 23.05, which is the current average of the S&P500 Index.
Industry RankSector Rank
PE 14.03
Fwd PE 14.33
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

  • Compared to the rest of the industry, the Enterprise Value to EBITDA ratio of LOCO indicates a rather cheap valuation: LOCO is cheaper than 80.95% of the companies listed in the same industry.
  • LOCO's Price/Free Cash Flow ratio is a bit cheaper when compared to the industry. LOCO is cheaper than 79.37% of the companies in the same industry.
Industry RankSector Rank
P/FCF 16.36
EV/EBITDA 7.92
LOCO Per share dataLOCO EPS, Sales, OCF, FCF, BookValue per sharePer Share Data Per Share 0 5 10 15

4.3 Compensation for Growth

  • LOCO has a very decent profitability rating, which may justify a higher PE ratio.
PEG (NY)N/A
PEG (5Y)3.22
EPS Next 2Y3.51%
EPS Next 3YN/A

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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%

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LOCO Fundamentals: All Metrics, Ratios and Statistics

EL POLLO LOCO HOLDINGS INC

NASDAQ:LOCO (4/2/2026, 8:00:01 PM)

After market: 13.89 0 (0%)

13.89

+0.01 (+0.07%)

Chartmill FA Rating
GICS IndustryGroupConsumer Services
GICS IndustryHotels, Restaurants & Leisure
Earnings (Last)03-12
Earnings (Next)04-30
Inst Owners92.39%
Inst Owner Change0%
Ins Owners1.97%
Ins Owner Change1.18%
Market Cap416.14M
Revenue(TTM)490.05M
Net Income(TTM)26.49M
Analysts80
Price Target15.43 (11.09%)
Short Float %6.89%
Short Ratio6.48
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)24.37%
Min EPS beat(2)23.69%
Max EPS beat(2)25.05%
EPS beat(4)3
Avg EPS beat(4)13.2%
Min EPS beat(4)-9.13%
Max EPS beat(4)25.05%
EPS beat(8)7
Avg EPS beat(8)24.73%
EPS beat(12)10
Avg EPS beat(12)19.3%
EPS beat(16)13
Avg EPS beat(16)16.62%
Revenue beat(2)0
Avg Revenue beat(2)-2.34%
Min Revenue beat(2)-3.46%
Max Revenue beat(2)-1.21%
Revenue beat(4)0
Avg Revenue beat(4)-1.63%
Min Revenue beat(4)-3.46%
Max Revenue beat(4)-0.7%
Revenue beat(8)1
Avg Revenue beat(8)-1%
Revenue beat(12)2
Avg Revenue beat(12)-1.25%
Revenue beat(16)3
Avg Revenue beat(16)-1.07%
PT rev (1m)0%
PT rev (3m)1.68%
EPS NQ rev (1m)4.13%
EPS NQ rev (3m)11.31%
EPS NY rev (1m)0%
EPS NY rev (3m)2.15%
Revenue NQ rev (1m)0.63%
Revenue NQ rev (3m)0.35%
Revenue NY rev (1m)0.13%
Revenue NY rev (3m)0.14%
Valuation
Industry RankSector Rank
PE 14.03
Fwd PE 14.33
P/S 0.85
P/FCF 16.36
P/OCF 8.66
P/B 1.43
P/tB N/A
EV/EBITDA 7.92
EPS(TTM)0.99
EY7.13%
EPS(NY)0.97
Fwd EY6.98%
FCF(TTM)0.85
FCFY6.11%
OCF(TTM)1.6
OCFY11.55%
SpS16.36
BVpS9.72
TBVpS-0.65
PEG (NY)N/A
PEG (5Y)3.22
Graham Number14.71
Profitability
Industry RankSector Rank
ROA 4.37%
ROE 9.1%
ROCE 8.05%
ROIC 5.77%
ROICexc 5.83%
ROICexgc 14.43%
OM 8.66%
PM (TTM) 5.4%
GM 53.61%
FCFM 5.19%
ROA(3y)4.34%
ROA(5y)4.25%
ROE(3y)9.72%
ROE(5y)9.18%
ROIC(3y)5.53%
ROIC(5y)5.33%
ROICexc(3y)5.59%
ROICexc(5y)5.46%
ROICexgc(3y)14.03%
ROICexgc(5y)13.84%
ROCE(3y)7.72%
ROCE(5y)7.44%
ROICexgc growth 3Y9.28%
ROICexgc growth 5Y2.07%
ROICexc growth 3Y10.71%
ROICexc growth 5Y1.83%
OM growth 3Y10.11%
OM growth 5Y-1.14%
PM growth 3Y6.89%
PM growth 5Y-1.23%
GM growth 3Y4.4%
GM growth 5Y1.42%
F-Score9
Asset Turnover0.81
Health
Industry RankSector Rank
Debt/Equity 0.18
Debt/FCF 2.07
Debt/EBITDA 0.9
Cap/Depr 141.77%
Cap/Sales 4.62%
Interest Coverage 9.69
Cash Conversion 82.29%
Profit Quality 96.05%
Current Ratio 0.32
Quick Ratio 0.3
Altman-Z 1.82
F-Score9
WACC8.47%
ROIC/WACC0.68
Cap/Depr(3y)134.4%
Cap/Depr(5y)130.72%
Cap/Sales(3y)4.4%
Cap/Sales(5y)4.24%
Profit Quality(3y)93.22%
Profit Quality(5y)97.94%
High Growth Momentum
Growth
EPS 1Y (TTM)11.24%
EPS 3Y19.51%
EPS 5Y4.35%
EPS Q2Q%25%
EPS Next Y-2.12%
EPS Next 2Y3.51%
EPS Next 3YN/A
EPS Next 5YN/A
Revenue 1Y (TTM)3.6%
Revenue growth 3Y1.4%
Revenue growth 5Y2.84%
Sales Q2Q%8.08%
Revenue Next Year1.78%
Revenue Next 2Y2.87%
Revenue Next 3YN/A
Revenue Next 5YN/A
EBIT growth 1Y1.42%
EBIT growth 3Y11.66%
EBIT growth 5Y1.66%
EBIT Next Year52.4%
EBIT Next 3YN/A
EBIT Next 5YN/A
FCF growth 1Y-8.16%
FCF growth 3Y10.94%
FCF growth 5Y-5.56%
OCF growth 1Y2.77%
OCF growth 3Y7.64%
OCF growth 5Y3.46%

EL POLLO LOCO HOLDINGS INC / LOCO Fundamental Analysis 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 6 / 10 to EL POLLO LOCO HOLDINGS INC (LOCO). This can be considered as Fairly Valued.


How profitable is EL POLLO LOCO HOLDINGS INC (LOCO) stock?

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


How financially healthy is EL POLLO LOCO HOLDINGS INC?

The financial health rating of EL POLLO LOCO HOLDINGS INC (LOCO) is 4 / 10.


How sustainable is the dividend of EL POLLO LOCO HOLDINGS INC (LOCO) stock?

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