El Pollo Loco Stock Surges 53% in a Year: Is Further Upside Ahead?
LOCO's 53% rally rests on stronger margins, digital growth and faster expansion, but traffic and cost pressures remain key risks.
LOCO - El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc.
Price:
--
--
|
CONSENSUS:
Hold
DETAILS
|
PRICE TARGET:
$17.00
DETAILS
HIGH:
$17.00
LOW:
$17.00
MEDIAN:
$17.00
CONSENSUS:
$17.00
UPSIDE:
13.79%
Stock News
Should Value Investors Buy El Pollo Loco (LOCO) Stock?
Here at Zacks, our focus is on the proven Zacks Rank system, which emphasizes earnings estimates and estimate revisions to find great stocks. Nevertheless, we are always paying attention to the latest value, growth, and momentum trends to underscore strong picks.
El Pollo Loco to open first New York restaurant as it aims to become national chicken chain
El Pollo Loco will open its first New York City restaurant next year in Queens. The majority of the chicken chain's locations are in California, although it has been expanding.
El Pollo Loco Announces New York Expansion and Strengthens Leadership Team to Accelerate Growth
Brand signs first lease in New York (Queens) Enters into three development agreements for 15 area restaurants over the next five years COSTA MESA, Calif., Sept. 29, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- El Pollo Loco, the nation's leading fire-grilled chicken restaurant chain, today announced its planned entry into New York, including a signed lease for its first restaurant in the region, targeted to open in Queens in mid-2027.
El Pollo Loco® Showcases Fall Flavors in Latest Menu Items
Caramel Apple ChataCoffee™, Pumpkin Pie Mini Churros and Red & Green Chile Cheesy Enchilada Double Chicken Bowls all available for a limited time Caramel Apple ChataCoffee™, Pumpkin Pie Mini Churros and Red & Green Chile Cheesy Enchilada Double Chicken Bowls all available for a limited time
El Pollo Loco: Multiple Catalysts Driving Sales Strength
El Pollo Loco Holdings remains a high-quality value pick, outperforming the market with >40% YTD gains despite the recent pullback. LOCO raised FY26 comparable sales guidance to 3.5-4.5%, up from the prior 2-4%, signaling resilient demand in a tough consumer environment. Carryout sales and loyalty program strength are driving comps, with carryout up 12% y/y and Rewards members visiting 3x more frequently.
Are Investors Undervaluing El Pollo Loco (LOCO) Right Now?
Here at Zacks, our focus is on the proven Zacks Rank system, which emphasizes earnings estimates and estimate revisions to find great stocks. Nevertheless, we are always paying attention to the latest value, growth, and momentum trends to underscore strong picks.
Wall Street Analysts Think El Pollo Loco (LOCO) Could Surge 33.82%: Read This Before Placing a Bet
The average of price targets set by Wall Street analysts indicates a potential upside of 33.8% in El Pollo Loco (LOCO). While the effectiveness of this highly sought-after metric is questionable, the positive trend in earnings estimate revisions might translate into an upside in the stock.
El Pollo Loco: Taco Bell-ification Is Working
El Pollo Loco remains a Buy, supported by asset-light expansion, strong unit economics, and a shift beyond California. LOCO's franchise-led growth leverages low-cost conversions, driving higher ROI and expanding EBITDA margins toward a 20% long-term target. Management raised FY 2026 guidance: same-store sales to 3.5–4.5%, adjusted EBITDA to $68–70M, and reduced CapEx, supporting FCF and capital allocation flexibility.
El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. to Participate in Two Investor Conferences in September
COSTA MESA, Calif., Sept. 04, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. (“El Pollo Loco”) (NASDAQ: LOCO) today announced that it will participate in the following conferences:
Should Value Investors Buy El Pollo Loco (LOCO) Stock?
Here at Zacks, our focus is on the proven Zacks Rank system, which emphasizes earnings estimates and estimate revisions to find great stocks. Nevertheless, we are always paying attention to the latest value, growth, and momentum trends to underscore strong picks.
El Pollo Loco® Declares September 9 National Grilled Chicken Day
The fire-grilled chicken authority champions new holiday with month-long celebration of the much-loved protein The fire-grilled chicken authority champions new holiday with month-long celebration of the much-loved protein
489,247 Shares in El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. $LOCO Bought by Biglari Sardar
Biglari Sardar bought a new stake in El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: LOCO) during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor bought 489,247 shares of the restaurant operator's stock, valued at approximately $8,297,629,000. El Pollo
Biglari Capital CORP. Buys Shares of 3,777,400 El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. $LOCO
Biglari Capital CORP. purchased a new stake in El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: LOCO) during the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm purchased 3,777,400 shares of the restaurant operator's stock, valued at approximately $64,064,704,000. El Pollo Loco accounts for 5.4% of Biglari Capital CORP.'s portfolio,
Wall Street Analysts Believe El Pollo Loco (LOCO) Could Rally 26.64%: Here's is How to Trade
The mean of analysts' price targets for El Pollo Loco (LOCO) points to a 26.6% upside in the stock. While this highly sought-after metric has not proven reasonably effective, strong agreement among analysts in raising earnings estimates does indicate an upside in the stock.
El Pollo Loco Holdings Inc (LOCO) Stock Up 4.2% but GF Value Says Overvalued -- GF Score: 66/100
On August 21, 2026, El Pollo Loco Holdings Inc (LOCO) shares rose 4.2% today, bringing the current price to $16.03. This price is situated within a 52-week rang
El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. $LOCO Position Boosted by Assenagon Asset Management S.A.
Assenagon Asset Management S.A. lifted its holdings in El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: LOCO) by 97.4% during the undefined quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 301,505 shares of the restaurant operator's stock after purchasing an additional 148,738 shares during the
Are Investors Undervaluing El Pollo Loco (LOCO) Right Now?
Here at Zacks, our focus is on the proven Zacks Rank system, which emphasizes earnings estimates and estimate revisions to find great stocks. Nevertheless, we are always paying attention to the latest value, growth, and momentum trends to underscore strong picks.
El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. (LOCO) Q2 2026 Earnings Call Transcript
El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. (LOCO) Q2 2026 Earnings Call Transcript
El Pollo Loco Q2 Earnings Call Highlights
El Pollo Loco NASDAQ: LOCO reported second-quarter results marked by higher same-store sales, improved restaurant-level margins and continued expansion outside California, while raising its full-year sales and adjusted EBITDA outlook.
Price Targets
El Pollo Loco price target raised to $17 from $15 at DA Davidson
$17.00
(was $15.42)
D.A. Davidson
El Pollo Loco price target raised to $15 from $13 at DA Davidson
$15.00
(was $13.74)
Matt Curtis
·
D.A. Davidson
DA Davidson Reiterates Neutral Rating on El Pollo Loco (LOCO): 'recent openings outisde CA encouraging'
$11.00
(was $12.93)
Matt Curtis
·
D.A. Davidson
El Pollo Loco price target raised to $13.50 from $12 at Jefferies
$13.50
(was $11.62)
Jefferies
Craig-Hallum bullish on El Pollo Loco, initiates with a Buy
$18.00
(was $10.60)
Jeremy Hamblin
·
Craig-Hallum
El Pollo Loco price target raised to $12 from $10 at Truist
$12.00
(was $10.28)
Jake Bartlett
·
Truist Financial