El Pollo Loco price target lowered to $12 from $13 at Jefferies

Jefferies analyst Andy Barish lowered the firm’s price target on El Pollo Loco (LOCO) to $12 from $13 and keeps a Buy rating on the shares. Q3 margins and EBITDA beat despite softer same-store sales, although quarter-to-date SSS improved to up 2.2% and the firm expects Q4 and all of FY26 SSS to be roughly 2% or better, supported by a number of catalysts, the analyst tells investors in a research note. The firm added that the long-term growth opportunity is underappreciated with FY26 expected to see unit growth acceleration.