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El Pollo Loco (LOCO) Competitors

El Pollo Loco logo
$15.18 +0.35 (+2.36%)
As of 02:02 PM Eastern

LOCO vs. WING, ARCO, WEN, BJRI, and CBRL

Should you buy El Pollo Loco stock or one of its competitors? El Pollo Loco's main competitors and comparable companies include Wingstop (WING), Arcos Dorados (ARCO), Wendy's (WEN), BJ's Restaurants (BJRI), and Cracker Barrel Old Country Store (CBRL). Companies are selected based on similarities in market, industry, and size. These companies are all part of the "restaurants" industry.

How does El Pollo Loco compare to Wingstop?

Wingstop (NASDAQ:WING) and El Pollo Loco (NASDAQ:LOCO) are both consumer discretionary companies, but which is the better business? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their dividends, analyst recommendations, profitability, earnings, risk, media sentiment, institutional ownership and valuation.

In the previous week, El Pollo Loco had 2 more articles in the media than Wingstop. MarketBeat recorded 19 mentions for El Pollo Loco and 17 mentions for Wingstop. El Pollo Loco's average media sentiment score of 0.71 beat Wingstop's score of 0.48 indicating that El Pollo Loco is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Wingstop
5 Very Positive mention(s)
3 Positive mention(s)
5 Neutral mention(s)
1 Negative mention(s)
2 Very Negative mention(s)
Neutral
El Pollo Loco
8 Very Positive mention(s)
2 Positive mention(s)
4 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Wingstop has a net margin of 16.15% compared to El Pollo Loco's net margin of 6.96%. El Pollo Loco's return on equity of 10.87% beat Wingstop's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Wingstop16.15% -16.31% 18.05%
El Pollo Loco 6.96%10.87%5.32%

Wingstop has higher revenue and earnings than El Pollo Loco. El Pollo Loco is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Wingstop, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Wingstop$696.85M4.42$174.27M$4.2126.88
El Pollo Loco$490.05M0.94$26.49M$1.1712.97

Wingstop has a beta of 1.81, suggesting that its stock price is 81% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, El Pollo Loco has a beta of 0.78, suggesting that its stock price is 22% less volatile than the broader market.

Wingstop currently has a consensus target price of $241.81, indicating a potential upside of 113.66%. El Pollo Loco has a consensus target price of $16.13, indicating a potential upside of 6.23%. Given Wingstop's stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, equities research analysts plainly believe Wingstop is more favorable than El Pollo Loco.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Wingstop
1 Sell rating(s)
6 Hold rating(s)
22 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.77
El Pollo Loco
0 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
3 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.63

81.3% of El Pollo Loco shares are held by institutional investors. 0.5% of Wingstop shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 3.0% of El Pollo Loco shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Summary

Wingstop beats El Pollo Loco on 11 of the 16 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does El Pollo Loco compare to Arcos Dorados?

El Pollo Loco (NASDAQ:LOCO) and Arcos Dorados (NYSE:ARCO) are both small-cap consumer discretionary companies, but which is the better business? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their dividends, risk, profitability, institutional ownership, media sentiment, valuation, earnings and analyst recommendations.

In the previous week, El Pollo Loco had 13 more articles in the media than Arcos Dorados. MarketBeat recorded 19 mentions for El Pollo Loco and 6 mentions for Arcos Dorados. Arcos Dorados' average media sentiment score of 0.81 beat El Pollo Loco's score of 0.71 indicating that Arcos Dorados is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
El Pollo Loco
8 Very Positive mention(s)
2 Positive mention(s)
4 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Arcos Dorados
2 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
2 Neutral mention(s)
1 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

El Pollo Loco has a beta of 0.78, meaning that its share price is 22% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Arcos Dorados has a beta of 0.48, meaning that its share price is 52% less volatile than the broader market.

El Pollo Loco has a net margin of 6.96% compared to Arcos Dorados' net margin of 4.86%. El Pollo Loco's return on equity of 10.87% beat Arcos Dorados' return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
El Pollo Loco6.96% 10.87% 5.32%
Arcos Dorados 4.86%10.47%2.06%

El Pollo Loco presently has a consensus price target of $16.13, indicating a potential upside of 6.23%. Arcos Dorados has a consensus price target of $10.50, indicating a potential upside of 32.91%. Given Arcos Dorados' higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Arcos Dorados is more favorable than El Pollo Loco.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
El Pollo Loco
0 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
3 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.63
Arcos Dorados
0 Sell rating(s)
2 Hold rating(s)
3 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.60

Arcos Dorados has higher revenue and earnings than El Pollo Loco. Arcos Dorados is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than El Pollo Loco, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
El Pollo Loco$490.05M0.94$26.49M$1.1712.97
Arcos Dorados$4.68B0.36$212.12M$1.117.12

81.3% of El Pollo Loco shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 55.9% of Arcos Dorados shares are owned by institutional investors. 3.0% of El Pollo Loco shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Summary

El Pollo Loco beats Arcos Dorados on 12 of the 16 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does El Pollo Loco compare to Wendy's?

Wendy's (NASDAQ:WEN) and El Pollo Loco (NASDAQ:LOCO) are both small-cap consumer discretionary companies, but which is the better stock? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their institutional ownership, risk, media sentiment, valuation, earnings, analyst recommendations, profitability and dividends.

In the previous week, Wendy's had 38 more articles in the media than El Pollo Loco. MarketBeat recorded 57 mentions for Wendy's and 19 mentions for El Pollo Loco. El Pollo Loco's average media sentiment score of 0.71 beat Wendy's' score of 0.07 indicating that El Pollo Loco is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Wendy's
15 Very Positive mention(s)
8 Positive mention(s)
12 Neutral mention(s)
14 Negative mention(s)
4 Very Negative mention(s)
Neutral
El Pollo Loco
8 Very Positive mention(s)
2 Positive mention(s)
4 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

El Pollo Loco has a net margin of 6.96% compared to Wendy's' net margin of 5.72%. Wendy's' return on equity of 115.31% beat El Pollo Loco's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Wendy's5.72% 115.31% 2.70%
El Pollo Loco 6.96%10.87%5.32%

Wendy's has higher revenue and earnings than El Pollo Loco. Wendy's is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than El Pollo Loco, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Wendy's$2.18B0.75$165.07M$0.6612.94
El Pollo Loco$490.05M0.94$26.49M$1.1712.97

Wendy's has a beta of 0.37, suggesting that its share price is 63% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, El Pollo Loco has a beta of 0.78, suggesting that its share price is 22% less volatile than the broader market.

Wendy's currently has a consensus price target of $7.76, suggesting a potential downside of 9.10%. El Pollo Loco has a consensus price target of $16.13, suggesting a potential upside of 6.23%. Given El Pollo Loco's stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe El Pollo Loco is more favorable than Wendy's.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Wendy's
6 Sell rating(s)
13 Hold rating(s)
2 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
1.81
El Pollo Loco
0 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
3 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.63

86.0% of Wendy's shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 81.3% of El Pollo Loco shares are owned by institutional investors. 17.1% of Wendy's shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 3.0% of El Pollo Loco shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Summary

El Pollo Loco beats Wendy's on 11 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does El Pollo Loco compare to BJ's Restaurants?

BJ's Restaurants (NASDAQ:BJRI) and El Pollo Loco (NASDAQ:LOCO) are both small-cap consumer discretionary companies, but which is the superior business? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, valuation, dividends, risk, profitability, earnings and media sentiment.

In the previous week, El Pollo Loco had 6 more articles in the media than BJ's Restaurants. MarketBeat recorded 19 mentions for El Pollo Loco and 13 mentions for BJ's Restaurants. El Pollo Loco's average media sentiment score of 0.71 beat BJ's Restaurants' score of 0.62 indicating that El Pollo Loco is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
BJ's Restaurants
7 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
1 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
El Pollo Loco
8 Very Positive mention(s)
2 Positive mention(s)
4 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

BJ's Restaurants has a beta of 1.32, meaning that its share price is 32% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, El Pollo Loco has a beta of 0.78, meaning that its share price is 22% less volatile than the broader market.

El Pollo Loco has a net margin of 6.96% compared to BJ's Restaurants' net margin of 2.86%. BJ's Restaurants' return on equity of 12.93% beat El Pollo Loco's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
BJ's Restaurants2.86% 12.93% 4.79%
El Pollo Loco 6.96%10.87%5.32%

BJ's Restaurants currently has a consensus price target of $56.88, suggesting a potential downside of 18.12%. El Pollo Loco has a consensus price target of $16.13, suggesting a potential upside of 6.23%. Given El Pollo Loco's stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe El Pollo Loco is more favorable than BJ's Restaurants.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
BJ's Restaurants
2 Sell rating(s)
5 Hold rating(s)
3 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.27
El Pollo Loco
0 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
3 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.63

100.0% of BJ's Restaurants shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 81.3% of El Pollo Loco shares are owned by institutional investors. 2.4% of BJ's Restaurants shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 3.0% of El Pollo Loco shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

BJ's Restaurants has higher revenue and earnings than El Pollo Loco. El Pollo Loco is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than BJ's Restaurants, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
BJ's Restaurants$1.40B1.06$48.81M$1.8737.14
El Pollo Loco$490.05M0.94$26.49M$1.1712.97

Summary

BJ's Restaurants beats El Pollo Loco on 8 of the 15 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does El Pollo Loco compare to Cracker Barrel Old Country Store?

El Pollo Loco (NASDAQ:LOCO) and Cracker Barrel Old Country Store (NASDAQ:CBRL) are both small-cap consumer discretionary companies, but which is the superior business? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their risk, valuation, media sentiment, analyst recommendations, dividends, earnings, institutional ownership and profitability.

El Pollo Loco has a net margin of 6.96% compared to Cracker Barrel Old Country Store's net margin of 0.79%. El Pollo Loco's return on equity of 10.87% beat Cracker Barrel Old Country Store's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
El Pollo Loco6.96% 10.87% 5.32%
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store 0.79%2.78%0.58%

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store has higher revenue and earnings than El Pollo Loco. El Pollo Loco is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
El Pollo Loco$490.05M0.94$26.49M$1.1712.97
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store$3.48B0.37$46.38M$1.1649.83

81.3% of El Pollo Loco shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 96.0% of Cracker Barrel Old Country Store shares are held by institutional investors. 3.0% of El Pollo Loco shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 1.4% of Cracker Barrel Old Country Store shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

El Pollo Loco has a beta of 0.78, suggesting that its share price is 22% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Cracker Barrel Old Country Store has a beta of 1.2, suggesting that its share price is 20% more volatile than the broader market.

El Pollo Loco presently has a consensus price target of $16.13, indicating a potential upside of 6.23%. Cracker Barrel Old Country Store has a consensus price target of $48.14, indicating a potential downside of 16.71%. Given El Pollo Loco's stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe El Pollo Loco is more favorable than Cracker Barrel Old Country Store.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
El Pollo Loco
0 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
3 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.63
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store
3 Sell rating(s)
5 Hold rating(s)
3 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.17

In the previous week, El Pollo Loco had 9 more articles in the media than Cracker Barrel Old Country Store. MarketBeat recorded 19 mentions for El Pollo Loco and 10 mentions for Cracker Barrel Old Country Store. Cracker Barrel Old Country Store's average media sentiment score of 1.07 beat El Pollo Loco's score of 0.71 indicating that Cracker Barrel Old Country Store is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
El Pollo Loco
8 Very Positive mention(s)
2 Positive mention(s)
4 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store
7 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
1 Neutral mention(s)
1 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Summary

El Pollo Loco beats Cracker Barrel Old Country Store on 9 of the 15 factors compared between the two stocks.

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New MarketBeat Followers Over Time

This chart shows the number of new MarketBeat users adding LOCO and its top 5 competitors to their watchlist. Each company is represented with a line over a 90 day period.
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Media Sentiment Over Time

This chart shows the average media sentiment of NASDAQ and its competitors over the past 90 days as caculated by MarketBeat. The averaged score is equivalent to the following: Very Negative Sentiment <= -1.5, Negative Sentiment > -1.5 and <= -0.5, Neutral Sentiment > -0.5 and < 0.5, Positive Sentiment >= 0.5 and < 1.5, and Very Positive Sentiment >= 1.5.
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LOCO vs. The Competition

MetricEl Pollo LocoHotels, Restaurants & Leisure IndustryConsumer Discretionary SectorNASDAQ Exchange
Market Cap$461.93M$8.31B$13.16B$12.96B
Dividend YieldN/A3.76%54.42%10.34%
P/E Ratio12.9722.8646.5525.28
Price / Sales0.94340.2690.1776.23
Price / Cash10.1022.0726.3750.42
Price / Book1.465.044.506.23
Net Income$26.49M$261.42M$443.65M$347.51M
7 Day Performance-10.65%0.44%-0.23%1.38%
1 Month Performance-8.83%0.93%1.72%-0.55%
1 Year Performance46.24%-2.75%1.45%21.00%

El Pollo Loco Competitors List

CompanyMarketRankShare PriceAnalysts' Price Target1Y Price PerformanceMarket CapRevenueP/E RatioEmployee CountIndicator(s)
LOCO
El Pollo Loco
3.1015 of 5 stars
$15.18
+2.4%
$16.13
+6.2%
+46.0%$461.93M$490.05M12.974,034
WING
Wingstop
4.9492 of 5 stars
$125.76
-3.6%
$241.81
+92.3%
-66.1%$3.42B$696.85M29.831,367
ARCO
Arcos Dorados
4.8528 of 5 stars
$8.31
+0.3%
$10.50
+26.3%
+16.9%$1.75B$4.82B7.4996,782
WEN
Wendy's
2.3204 of 5 stars
$7.67
+1.8%
$8.04
+4.9%
-26.8%$1.46B$2.18B9.8314,900
BJRI
BJ's Restaurants
3.5595 of 5 stars
$67.20
-1.6%
$56.88
-15.4%
+100.4%$1.41B$1.43B35.9522,000

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This page (NASDAQ:LOCO) was last updated on 8/12/2026 by MarketBeat.com Staff.
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