EL POLLO LOCO HOLDINGS INC (LOCO) Stock Fundamental Analysis

NASDAQ:LOCO • US2686031079

10.86 USD
+0.04 (+0.37%)
At close: Feb 20, 2026
10.86 USD
0 (0%)
After Hours: 2/20/2026, 8:00:01 PM
Overview Stock Chart Technical Analysis Fundamental Analysis Analyst Ratings Earnings Estimates Financials Ownership News
Fundamental Rating

5

We assign a fundamental rating of 5 out of 10 to LOCO. LOCO was compared to 126 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 scores decently on growth, while it is valued quite cheap. This could make an interesting combination.


Dividend Valuation Growth Profitability Health

6

1. Profitability

1.1 Basic Checks

  • LOCO had positive earnings in the past year.
  • 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

  • LOCO has a Return On Assets of 4.30%. This is in the better half of the industry: LOCO outperforms 63.49% of its industry peers.
  • Looking at the Return On Equity, with a value of 9.15%, LOCO is in the better half of the industry, outperforming 67.46% of the companies in the same industry.
  • LOCO has a Return On Invested Capital (5.65%) which is comparable to the rest of the industry.
  • LOCO had an Average Return On Invested Capital over the past 3 years of 5.08%. This is significantly below the industry average of 10.58%.
  • 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

  • LOCO has a Profit Margin of 5.39%. This is comparable to the rest of the industry: LOCO outperforms 57.94% of its industry peers.
  • 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 49.21% 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 61.90% 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. Health

2.1 Basic Checks

  • With a Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) below the Cost of Capital (WACC), LOCO is destroying value.
  • The number of shares outstanding for LOCO has been reduced compared to 1 year ago.
  • Compared to 5 years ago, LOCO has less shares outstanding
  • Compared to 1 year ago, LOCO has an improved debt to assets ratio.
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

  • LOCO has an Altman-Z score of 1.63. This is a bad value and indicates that LOCO is not financially healthy and even has some risk of bankruptcy.
  • LOCO's Altman-Z score of 1.63 is in line compared to the rest of the industry. LOCO outperforms 50.79% 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 has a better Debt to FCF ratio (2.91) than 81.75% of its industry peers.
  • A Debt/Equity ratio of 0.22 indicates that LOCO is not too dependend on debt financing.
  • The Debt to Equity ratio of LOCO (0.22) is better than 76.19% of its industry peers.
Industry RankSector Rank
Debt/Equity 0.22
Debt/FCF 2.91
Altman-Z 1.63
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

  • A Current Ratio of 0.41 indicates that LOCO may have some problems paying its short term obligations.
  • LOCO's Current ratio of 0.41 is on the low side compared to the rest of the industry. LOCO is outperformed by 84.13% 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.
  • LOCO has a Quick ratio of 0.38. This is amonst the worse of the industry: LOCO underperforms 81.75% 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. Growth

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.
  • The Revenue has been growing slightly by 1.35% on average over the past years.
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

  • The Earnings Per Share is expected to grow by 6.03% on average over the next years.
  • 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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8

4. Valuation

4.1 Price/Earnings Ratio

  • The Price/Earnings ratio is 11.55, which indicates a very decent valuation of LOCO.
  • 86.51% of the companies in the same industry are more expensive than LOCO, based on the Price/Earnings ratio.
  • Compared to an average S&P500 Price/Earnings ratio of 26.99, LOCO is valued rather cheaply.
  • The Price/Forward Earnings ratio is 11.21, which indicates a very decent valuation of LOCO.
  • Compared to the rest of the industry, the Price/Forward Earnings ratio of LOCO indicates a rather cheap valuation: LOCO is cheaper than 84.92% of the companies listed in the same industry.
  • The average S&P500 Price/Forward Earnings ratio is at 28.06. LOCO is valued rather cheaply when compared to this.
Industry RankSector Rank
PE 11.55
Fwd PE 11.21
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 cheaper than 88.89% of the companies in the same industry.
  • Based on the Price/Free Cash Flow ratio, LOCO is valued cheaper than 80.95% of the companies in the same industry.
Industry RankSector Rank
P/FCF 15.14
EV/EBITDA 6.6
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's PEG Ratio(NY), which compensates the Price/Earnings for growth, indicates a correct valuation of the company.
  • LOCO has a very decent profitability rating, which may justify a higher PE ratio.
PEG (NY)1.75
PEG (5Y)3.6
EPS Next 2Y4.34%
EPS Next 3Y6.03%

More info and screens

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

0

5. Dividend

5.1 Amount

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

More info and screens

Find the best dividend stocksShow peers with best dividend

EL POLLO LOCO HOLDINGS INC

NASDAQ:LOCO (2/20/2026, 8:00:01 PM)

After market: 10.86 0 (0%)

10.86

+0.04 (+0.37%)

Chartmill FA Rating
GICS IndustryGroupConsumer Services
GICS IndustryHotels, Restaurants & Leisure
Earnings (Last)10-30
Earnings (Next)03-05
Inst Owners92.54%
Inst Owner Change-1.31%
Ins Owners1.98%
Ins Owner Change0.24%
Market Cap325.26M
Revenue(TTM)480.81M
Net Income(TTM)25.90M
Analysts78.18
Price Target15.43 (42.08%)
Short Float %5.62%
Short Ratio7.29
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)1.68%
PT rev (3m)2.54%
EPS NQ rev (1m)-1.27%
EPS NQ rev (3m)-6.02%
EPS NY rev (1m)-0.8%
EPS NY rev (3m)2.42%
Revenue NQ rev (1m)-0.1%
Revenue NQ rev (3m)-0.95%
Revenue NY rev (1m)-0.02%
Revenue NY rev (3m)-0.25%
Valuation
Industry RankSector Rank
PE 11.55
Fwd PE 11.21
P/S 0.68
P/FCF 15.14
P/OCF 8.17
P/B 1.15
P/tB N/A
EV/EBITDA 6.6
EPS(TTM)0.94
EY8.66%
EPS(NY)0.97
Fwd EY8.92%
FCF(TTM)0.72
FCFY6.61%
OCF(TTM)1.33
OCFY12.24%
SpS16.05
BVpS9.45
TBVpS-0.92
PEG (NY)1.75
PEG (5Y)3.6
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 1.63
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 3Y18.44%
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 8 / 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 11.55 and the Price/Book (PB) ratio is 1.15.


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%.