El Pollo LoCo (LOCO)
NASDAQ:LOCO
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Earnings Data
Report Date
Jul 30, 2026After Close (Confirmed)
Period Ending
2026 (Q2)Consensus EPS Forecast
0.28Last Year’s EPS
0.28Same Quarter Last Year
Moderate Buy
Based on 4 Analysts Ratings
Earnings Call Summary
Earnings Call Sentiment|Positive
The call conveyed clear operational momentum: strong comparable sales (+5.8% in Q1), meaningful restaurant-level margin expansion (+320 bps to 19.2%), higher profitability (adjusted EBITDA +31%) and successful product innovation and loyalty engagement. Management raised full-year comps and EBITDA guidance and outlined an aggressive unit growth plan. Key risks include a modest near-term liquidity position (low cash vs. outstanding debt and elevated planned capex), a timing-related decline in franchise revenue, ongoing commodity/wage inflation and continued focus needed on speed-of-service. Overall, positive fundamentals and upgraded guidance outweigh the highlighted challenges.Company Guidance
System-Wide Same-Store Sales Growth
System-wide same-store sales increased 5.8% in Q1 2026, with system-wide traffic turning positive up 0.6% and company-operated comparable store sales up 5.4%.
Company-Operated Revenue and Total Revenue Growth
Total revenue grew to $126.2M from $119.2M (+5.9% YoY). Company-operated restaurant revenue rose 7.6% to $105.9M from $98.4M, driven by comps and 2 net new company restaurants.
Restaurant-Level Margin Expansion
Restaurant contribution margin improved to 19.2% in Q1 2026 from 16.0% a year ago, a 320 basis point expansion; management expects full-year restaurant-level margins of 18.25%–18.75% (guidance nudged higher).
Profitability and Adjusted EBITDA Improvement
GAAP net income increased to $8.2M ($0.27/share) from $5.5M ($0.19/share). Adjusted EBITDA rose to $18.2M from $13.9M (+31% YoY). Adjusted net income was $8.3M ($0.28/share) vs $5.5M ($0.19/share) prior year.
Operational Cost Improvements
Food & paper costs decreased 30 basis points to 24.9% of company restaurant sales despite ~70 bps of commodity inflation. Labor and related expenses decreased ~260 basis points to 30.1% with manageable Q1 wage inflation of 0.4%.
Successful Innovation and Menu Mix Gains
Baja Double Tostadas delivered an 8.3% sales mix and tostada+salad category peaked at over 20% of total sales. Loco Tenders launched late April with strong early trial and product reception.
Loyalty & Digital Momentum
Digital accounted for ~28% of company restaurant sales. Loco Rewards participation rose to 21% from 19%, redemptions increased 30% YoY, member frequency up 13% (trailing 12) and member spend up over 17% YoY. National Burrito Day produced the highest loyalty sales day in company history.
Raised Full-Year Guidance and Unit Growth Plan
Company increased system-wide comparable store growth guidance to 2%–4% and raised adjusted EBITDA guidance to $67.5M–$69.5M. Planned system openings of 18–20 restaurants in 2026 (majority outside California).
Strong Consumer & Channel Diversification
Broad-based traffic and demographic improvements including an outperformance among younger consumers; franchise comparable store sales also increased 6.1% with franchise openings contributing to growth.
LOCO Earnings History
The table shows recent earnings report dates and whether the forecast was beat or missed. See the change in forecast and EPS from the previous year.
Beat
Missed
LOCO Earnings-Related Price Changes
Report Date | Price 1 Day Before | Price 1 Day After | Percentage Change |
|---|---|---|---|
May 07, 2026 | $13.51 | $14.00 | +3.63% |
Mar 12, 2026 | $10.88 | $12.72 | +16.91% |
Oct 30, 2025 | $9.06 | $10.22 | +12.80% |
Jul 31, 2025 | $10.30 | $10.45 | +1.46% |
Earnings announcements can affect a stock’s price. This table shows the stock's price the day before and the day after recent earnings reports, including the percentage change.
FAQ
When does El Pollo LoCo (LOCO) report earnings?
El Pollo LoCo (LOCO) is schdueled to report earning on Jul 30, 2026, After Close (Confirmed).
What is El Pollo LoCo (LOCO) earnings time?
El Pollo LoCo (LOCO) earnings time is at Jul 30, 2026, After Close (Confirmed).
Where can I see when companies are reporting earnings?
You can see which companies are reporting today on our designated earnings calendar.
What companies are reporting earnings today?
You can see a list of the companies which are reporting today on TipRanks earnings calendar.
What is LOCO EPS forecast?
LOCO EPS forecast for the fiscal quarter 2026 (Q2) is 0.28.