📊 LOCO Key Takeaways
Is El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. (LOCO) a Good Investment?
El Pollo Loco operates a profitable restaurant business with stable 3.6% revenue growth and reasonable 6.5% net margins, but faces critical liquidity challenges with a dangerously low current ratio of 0.34x and minimal cash position of only $3.9M. Weak capital efficiency (2.7% ROE, 1.3% ROA) combined with minimal free cash flow generation ($2.8M) and insufficient operating cash flow conversion limits financial flexibility and sustainability.
El Pollo Loco shows steady top-line growth, solid operating profitability, and strong cash generation with low leverage and excellent interest coverage. However, very weak liquidity and flat net income despite revenue growth point to limited near‑term upside and execution risks. Monitoring margin discipline and working capital improvement is key before a more constructive stance.
El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. Key Strengths (LOCO)
- Profitable operations with 9.7% operating margin typical of restaurant industry
- Strong interest coverage ratio of 7.8x indicates manageable debt servicing ability
- Stable revenue growth of 3.6% YoY demonstrates consistent market demand
- Moderate leverage with 0.15x debt-to-equity ratio provides some balance sheet stability
- Low leverage with high interest coverage (26.9x)
- Consistent free cash flow and good cash conversion
- Stable operating margin (8.6%) with revenue growth (+3.6% YoY)
LOCO Stock Risks: El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. Investment Risks
- Critical liquidity risk: current ratio of 0.34x and quick ratio of 0.32x indicate severe short-term solvency stress
- Dangerously low cash position of $3.9M provides minimal buffer for operational disruptions or unexpected obligations
- Minimal free cash flow of $2.8M (2.2% margin) insufficient for capital investment, debt reduction, or shareholder returns
- Poor capital efficiency: ROE of 2.7% and ROA of 1.3% indicate inefficient use of shareholder capital
- Margin compression: net income growth (3.1%) lagging revenue growth (3.6%) signals operational headwinds
- Very weak liquidity (current ratio 0.32x; low cash)
- Flat net income despite revenue growth indicates margin/cost pressure
- Restaurant sector sensitivity to labor and commodity costs
Key Metrics to Watch
- Current ratio and cash position - immediate liquidity crisis indicator
- Operating cash flow and free cash flow generation - sustainability of operations
- Same-store sales growth and unit economics - organic growth quality
- Debt levels and covenant compliance - refinancing risk assessment
- Operating margin
- Current ratio
El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. (LOCO) Financial Metrics & Key Ratios
💡 AI Analyst Insight
The relatively thin 2.2% FCF margin may limit capital allocation flexibility. The current ratio below 1.0x warrants monitoring of short-term liquidity.
LOCO Profit Margin, ROE & Profitability Analysis
LOCO vs Consumer Sector: How El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. Compares
How El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. compares to Consumer sector averages
Sector benchmarks are approximate industry averages. Actual sector performance may vary.
Is El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. Stock Overvalued? LOCO Valuation Analysis 2026
Based on fundamental analysis, El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. has mixed fundamental signals relative to the Consumer sector in 2026.
Note: This is a fundamental analysis based on SEC filings. For P/E ratio, price targets, and market-based valuation, consult financial data providers. This is not investment advice.
El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. Balance Sheet: LOCO Debt, Cash & Liquidity
LOCO Revenue & Earnings Growth: 5-Year Financial Trend
5-Year Trend Summary: El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc.'s revenue has shown modest growth of 8% over the 5-year period. The most recent EPS of $0.74 reflects profitable operations.
LOCO Revenue Growth, EPS Growth & YoY Performance
LOCO Quarterly Earnings & Performance
| Quarter | Revenue | Net Income | EPS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 2026 | $119.2M | $5.5M | $0.19 |
| Q3 2025 | $120.4M | $6.2M | $0.21 |
| Q2 2025 | $122.2M | $7.1M | $0.24 |
| Q1 2025 | $116.2M | $5.5M | $0.19 |
| Q3 2024 | $120.4M | $6.2M | $0.21 |
| Q2 2024 | $121.5M | $7.1M | $0.20 |
| Q1 2024 | $114.5M | $4.9M | $0.13 |
| Q3 2023 | $119.9M | $5.0M | $0.14 |
Data sourced from SEC EDGAR 10-Q quarterly filings. Figures may represent quarterly or cumulative values.
El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. Dividends, Buybacks & Capital Allocation
LOCO SEC Filings: Latest 10-K & 10-Q Analysis
Access official SEC EDGAR filings for El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. (CIK: 0001606366)
📋 Recent SEC Filings
❓ Frequently Asked Questions about LOCO
What is the AI rating for LOCO?
El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. (LOCO) has a Combined AI Grade of C from Claude (C) and ChatGPT (B) with 71% combined confidence, based on fundamental analysis of SEC EDGAR filings.
What are LOCO's key strengths?
Claude: Profitable operations with 9.7% operating margin typical of restaurant industry. Strong interest coverage ratio of 7.8x indicates manageable debt servicing ability. ChatGPT: Low leverage with high interest coverage (26.9x). Consistent free cash flow and good cash conversion.
What are the risks of investing in LOCO?
Claude: Critical liquidity risk: current ratio of 0.34x and quick ratio of 0.32x indicate severe short-term solvency stress. Dangerously low cash position of $3.9M provides minimal buffer for operational disruptions or unexpected obligations. ChatGPT: Very weak liquidity (current ratio 0.32x; low cash). Flat net income despite revenue growth indicates margin/cost pressure.
What is LOCO's revenue and growth?
El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. reported revenue of $126.2M.
Does LOCO pay dividends?
El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. pays dividends, with $55.6M distributed to shareholders in the trailing twelve months.
Where can I find LOCO SEC filings?
Official SEC filings for El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. (CIK: 0001606366) including 10-K, 10-Q, and 8-K reports are available on SEC EDGAR.
What is LOCO's EPS?
El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. has a diluted EPS of $0.27.
How is the AI analysis conducted?
Two independent AI systems — Claude (Anthropic) and ChatGPT (OpenAI) — analyze SEC EDGAR filings including 10-K annual reports and 10-Q quarterly reports. Each AI evaluates financial health, profitability ratios, balance sheet strength, and growth metrics. The combined grade reflects both perspectives for balanced insights.
What is LOCO's fundamental grade?
Based on our AI fundamental analysis in May 2026, El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. has a C grade with 71% confidence. Review the strengths and risks sections above for full context. This is not investment advice.
Is LOCO stock overvalued or undervalued?
Valuation metrics for LOCO: ROE of 2.7% (sector avg: 18%), net margin of 6.5% (sector avg: 8%). Compare these metrics with sector averages to assess valuation.
What is LOCO's AI grade for 2026?
Our dual AI analysis gives El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. a combined C grade for 2026. Revenue is data pending, with profitability at or below sector average. Always conduct your own research.
What is LOCO's free cash flow?
El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc.'s operating cash flow is $13.0M, with capital expenditures of $10.2M. FCF margin is 2.2%.
How does LOCO compare to other Consumer stocks?
Vs Consumer sector averages: Net margin 6.5% (avg: 8%), ROE 2.7% (avg: 18%), current ratio 0.34 (avg: 1.5).