William Blair Decreases Earnings Estimates for El Pollo Loco

Key Points

• William Blair has revised its Q3 2025 earnings per share (EPS) estimate for El Pollo Loco to $0.23, down from a previous estimate of $0.24.
• El Pollo Loco's FY2025 earnings are now projected at $0.90 EPS with FY2026 estimated at $0.94 EPS.
• Wall Street Zen has downgraded El Pollo Loco from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating as of May 2nd.

El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:LOCO - Free Report) - Analysts at William Blair decreased their Q3 2025 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for El Pollo Loco in a research report issued on Friday, August 1st. William Blair analyst S. Zackfia now anticipates that the restaurant operator will post earnings of $0.23 per share for the quarter, down from their previous estimate of $0.24. The consensus estimate for El Pollo Loco's current full-year earnings is $0.83 per share. William Blair also issued estimates for El Pollo Loco's FY2025 earnings at $0.90 EPS and FY2026 earnings at $0.94 EPS.

El Pollo Loco (NASDAQ:LOCO - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 31st. The restaurant operator reported $0.28 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.25 by $0.03. The company had revenue of $125.83 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $124.24 million. El Pollo Loco had a return on equity of 9.83% and a net margin of 5.15%. El Pollo Loco's revenue was up 3.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company earned $0.26 earnings per share.

Separately, Wall Street Zen lowered El Pollo Loco from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Friday, May 2nd.

El Pollo Loco Trading Up 0.4%

Shares of NASDAQ LOCO traded up $0.04 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $10.28. 84,893 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 294,258. The stock has a market capitalization of $308.52 million, a P/E ratio of 12.27 and a beta of 1.01. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26, a quick ratio of 0.29 and a current ratio of 0.35. El Pollo Loco has a twelve month low of $8.29 and a twelve month high of $14.25. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $10.76 and a 200 day simple moving average of $10.57.

Institutional Trading of El Pollo Loco

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. CWM LLC lifted its holdings in shares of El Pollo Loco by 31.3% during the second quarter. CWM LLC now owns 4,229 shares of the restaurant operator's stock valued at $47,000 after acquiring an additional 1,008 shares during the period. Quantbot Technologies LP boosted its holdings in El Pollo Loco by 27.3% in the 1st quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP now owns 7,722 shares of the restaurant operator's stock valued at $80,000 after purchasing an additional 1,658 shares during the period. Quarry LP boosted its position in El Pollo Loco by 235.6% in the fourth quarter. Quarry LP now owns 7,389 shares of the restaurant operator's stock valued at $85,000 after buying an additional 5,187 shares in the last quarter. Trexquant Investment LP acquired a new stake in El Pollo Loco during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $105,000. Finally, Aquatic Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of El Pollo Loco in the 4th quarter valued at about $107,000. 81.28% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About El Pollo Loco

El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc, through its subsidiary, El Pollo Loco, Inc, develops, franchises, licenses, and operates quick-service restaurants under the El Pollo Loco name. It operates and franchises restaurants located in California, Nevada, Arizona, Texas, Colorado, Utah, and Louisiana. It also licenses its brand to restaurants in the Philippines.