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Portillo's (PTLO)
NASDAQ:PTLO
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Portillo's (PTLO) AI Stock Analysis

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PTLO

Portillo's

(NASDAQ:PTLO)

Rating:68Neutral
Price Target:
$11.00
▲(36.48% Upside)
Portillo's overall stock score is driven by strong financial performance and positive corporate events. However, bearish technical indicators and valuation concerns, along with neutral earnings call sentiment, moderate the score.
Positive Factors
Customer Loyalty
The Perks loyalty membership has grown to over 1.9 million members, surpassing its target.
Operational Efficiency
Drive-thru speed of service continued to improve as Portillo’s works to recapture pre-pandemic levels, with a visual queuing system successfully driving speed improvements.
Technological Advancements
Kiosks have bolstered comps since being fully deployed, with adoption rates approaching 30% of walk-in traffic and a 15% lift in average ticket.
Negative Factors
Cost Management
Restaurant-level margin contracted a greater-than-expected 110 basis points to 20.8% on higher commodity and labor costs.
Regional Performance
Locations in Texas are lagging expectations, with continued underperformance in Houston and rapid densification of Dallas translating to lower average unit volumes.
Revenue Performance
Portillo’s second-quarter revenue growth of 4% was below expectations for a 7% to 8% increase, with weaker-than-expected new unit productivity accounting for roughly two-thirds of the sales shortfall.

Portillo's (PTLO) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Portillo's Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionPortillo's (PTLO) is a renowned American fast-casual restaurant chain, primarily known for its Chicago-style hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches, burgers, and other classic American comfort foods. Founded in 1963, the company has grown to become a beloved brand with a strong presence in several states. Portillo's offers a diverse menu that caters to a wide range of tastes, emphasizing quality ingredients and authentic recipes, which has garnered a loyal customer base.
How the Company Makes MoneyPortillo's generates revenue primarily through the sale of food and beverages at its restaurant locations. The company's revenue streams include in-restaurant dining, takeout, and drive-thru services. Additionally, Portillo's leverages its brand reputation to engage in catering services, which constitute a significant part of its revenue, especially for events and large gatherings. The company also benefits from its online ordering platform, which facilitates delivery and pick-up services, further expanding its customer reach. Strategic location choices and a focus on high-traffic areas contribute to its earnings, along with seasonal promotions and limited-time menu offerings that drive customer engagement and sales. Portillo's does not currently have any significant partnerships that substantially affect its revenue model.

Portillo's Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Aug 05, 2025
(Q2-2025)
|
% Change Since: -15.07%|
Next Earnings Date:Oct 30, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call highlighted significant achievements in loyalty program growth and cost management for new restaurant development, alongside innovative marketing initiatives. However, these positives were offset by challenges in Texas market performance, increased operating expenses, and pressures from commodity and labor costs, resulting in a neutral overall sentiment.
Q2-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Loyalty Program Growth
Portillo's Perks loyalty program now has over 1.9 million members, exceeding initial expectations and providing a platform for guest engagement, acquisition, and retention.
New Restaurant Development and Cost Reductions
Portillo's is on track to open 12 new restaurants in the second half of 2025, with build cost reductions tracking in the range of $5.2 million to $5.5 million per restaurant, saving over $1 million per restaurant compared to the class of 2024.
Innovative Marketing Initiatives
Successful marketing campaigns, such as Italian beef month and the introduction of The Leo sandwich, drove engagement and positive transactions, providing valuable insights for future promotions.
Positive Employee and Brand Recognition
Portillo's was named in the top 10 for employee satisfaction among nearly 90 restaurant companies and ranked 25th out of 700 in Newsweek's America's most trusted companies list.
Negative Updates
Underperformance in Texas Markets
Non-comp restaurants in Texas have started slower than expected, putting pressure on overall top-line revenue performance. Efforts are being made to build awareness and drive revenue in these areas.
Increased Operating Expenses
Other operating expenses increased by 9.8% due to new restaurant openings and higher repair, maintenance, and utilities expenses, impacting margins.
Same-Restaurant Sales and Transaction Declines
Same-restaurant sales increased by only 0.7%, driven by an increase in average check, while transactions decreased by 1.4%.
Commodity and Labor Cost Pressures
Commodity inflation, particularly with beef, and labor costs remain pressures, with labor inflation expected to be 3% to 4% for the full year.
Company Guidance
During Portillo's Second Quarter 2025 Earnings Conference Call, the company provided several key metrics and insights into its performance and strategic initiatives. Portillo's reported a restaurant-level adjusted EBITDA of $44.5 million with a margin of 23.6% for the quarter. Transactions were down 1.4%, although they showed a 170-basis-point sequential improvement over Q1. The company achieved a revenue growth of 3.6% year-over-year, with revenues reaching $188.5 million, driven by a 0.7% increase in same-restaurant sales and contributions from noncomp restaurants. However, challenges were noted in the performance of noncomp restaurants in Texas. Portillo's highlighted its focus on four key initiatives for growth: multichannel marketing, operational improvements, kiosk adoption, and enhancing the Portillo's Perks loyalty program, which now boasts over 1.9 million members. The company also discussed its efforts to reduce build costs, with new restaurant builds tracking at $5.2 million to $5.5 million each, reflecting significant savings over previous classes. Looking ahead, Portillo's plans to open 12 new restaurants in the latter half of 2025 and anticipates its 2026 pipeline to include diverse formats, with an emphasis on further cost reduction and operational efficiency.

Portillo's Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Portillo's demonstrates strong financial health with robust revenue growth and improved profitability metrics, though there is room for improvement in operating efficiencies and capital expenditure management.
Income Statement
85
Very Positive
Portillo's exhibits strong revenue growth with a TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months) increase of 6.0% from the previous year. The gross profit margin has improved to 42.8% from 38.8% in 2022, showing enhanced cost efficiency. Net profit margin stands at 3.9% TTM, which is a positive turn from previous losses, indicating better profitability management. However, the EBITDA margin at 13.0% suggests room for improving operating efficiencies compared to industry standards.
Balance Sheet
78
Positive
The company's balance sheet shows a moderate Debt-to-Equity ratio of 1.50 TTM, indicating a balanced leverage position relative to equity. Return on Equity (ROE) has improved to 6.9% TTM, reflecting better utilization of equity to generate profits. The equity ratio is 27.1% TTM, which suggests a stable capital structure but indicates potential risk if debt levels increase.
Cash Flow
80
Positive
Operating cash flow to net income ratio of 3.48 TTM highlights strong cash generation relative to net profits. Free cash flow growth rate is negative at -17.6% TTM, mainly due to increased capital expenditures, which could impact cash reserves if not managed carefully. The free cash flow to net income ratio is 0.29 TTM, demonstrating some reliance on free cash flow to support net income.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue721.16M710.55M679.90M587.10M534.95M455.47M
Gross Profit308.37M168.11M275.17M132.51M142.08M121.94M
EBITDA93.72M94.79M79.85M61.50M52.78M81.22M
Net Income28.27M29.52M18.42M10.85M-54.00M-8.26M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets1.50B1.50B1.39B1.28B999.57M910.22M
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments12.94M22.88M10.44M44.43M39.26M41.21M
Total Debt611.60M596.23M550.41M523.60M319.15M469.70M
Total Liabilities1.00B1.01B925.43M847.18M576.17M769.51M
Stockholders Equity406.88M401.06M322.38M256.34M171.26M140.71M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow8.12M9.85M-17.14M9.83M6.69M36.82M
Operating Cash Flow98.41M98.04M70.78M56.89M42.87M58.27M
Investing Cash Flow-90.22M-88.11M-87.84M-47.02M-36.26M-21.42M
Financing Cash Flow-8.45M2.51M-16.93M-4.71M-8.78M-18.05M

Portillo's Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price8.06
Price Trends
50DMA
10.78
Negative
100DMA
11.19
Negative
200DMA
11.66
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
-0.96
Positive
RSI
32.38
Neutral
STOCH
25.98
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For PTLO, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 8.06 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 9.51, below the 50-day MA of 10.78, and below the 200-day MA of 11.66, indicating a bearish trend. The MACD of -0.96 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 32.38 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 25.98 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for PTLO.

Portillo's Risk Analysis

Portillo's disclosed 46 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Portillo's reported the most risks in the "Finance & Corporate" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Portillo's Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (61)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
77
Outperform
$3.11B19.1941.01%1.67%4.77%38.24%
68
Neutral
$597.51M17.667.36%3.62%17.67%
68
Neutral
$1.09B272.170.69%14.53%-83.26%
64
Neutral
$759.52M30.337.12%4.07%-1.24%
63
Neutral
$1.33B23.2412.90%1.62%2.84%-4.44%
61
Neutral
$17.22B11.53-5.99%3.08%1.40%-15.51%
60
Neutral
$1.51B20.33-20.16%3.87%-1.46%8.10%
* Consumer Cyclical Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
PTLO
Portillo's
8.06
-3.80
-32.04%
BJRI
BJ's Restaurants
36.06
6.94
23.83%
CBRL
Cracker Barrel
61.72
21.94
55.15%
PZZA
Papa John's International
47.54
2.67
5.95%
CAKE
Cheesecake Factory
64.78
28.33
77.72%
FWRG
First Watch Restaurant Group
17.90
1.17
6.99%

Portillo's Corporate Events

Business Operations and StrategyFinancial Disclosures
Portillo’s Reports Strong Q2 2025 Financial Results
Positive
Aug 5, 2025

Portillo’s Inc. reported its financial results for the second quarter of 2025, showing a revenue increase of 3.6% to $188.5 million and a net income rise of 17.7% to $10 million compared to the same period in 2024. Despite a challenging traffic environment, the company managed to maintain strong earnings and plans to open 12 new restaurants in the second half of 2025, focusing on expanding in the Sunbelt region and introducing new restaurant formats to improve efficiency and consumer engagement.

The most recent analyst rating on (PTLO) stock is a Buy with a $18.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Portillo’s stock, see the PTLO Stock Forecast page.

Executive/Board ChangesBusiness Operations and Strategy
Portillo’s Appoints Eugene Lee to Board of Directors
Positive
Jun 16, 2025

On June 16, 2025, Portillo’s announced the appointment of Eugene I. Lee, Jr., a seasoned leader in the restaurant industry, to its Board of Directors. Mr. Lee, who previously served as CEO of Darden Restaurants, is expected to bring valuable expertise in operations and growth strategy to Portillo’s. His appointment aligns with Portillo’s cooperation agreement and is supported by Engaged Capital, LLC, highlighting the company’s focus on continued growth and value creation for stakeholders.

The most recent analyst rating on (PTLO) stock is a Buy with a $18.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Portillo’s stock, see the PTLO Stock Forecast page.

Executive/Board ChangesShareholder Meetings
Portillo’s Holds Annual Shareholders Meeting, Elects Directors
Neutral
Jun 13, 2025

On June 10, 2025, Portillo’s Inc. held its Annual Meeting of Shareholders where eight directors were elected to serve until the next annual meeting in 2026. Shareholders approved the compensation of the company’s Named Executive Officers and ratified Deloitte & Touche LLP as the independent auditor for fiscal year 2025. A shareholder proposal regarding stockholders’ ability to call special meetings was rejected. The company had previously announced a cooperation agreement with Engaged Capital, LLC on April 28, 2025.

The most recent analyst rating on (PTLO) stock is a Buy with a $18.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Portillo’s stock, see the PTLO Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyFinancial Disclosures
Portillo’s Reports Q1 Revenue Growth Amid Expansion Plans
Neutral
May 6, 2025

Portillo’s Inc. reported its financial results for the first quarter ended March 30, 2025, showing a 6.4% increase in total revenue to $176.4 million, primarily due to new restaurant openings and a rise in same-restaurant sales. Despite facing challenging macro conditions, the company managed to improve operating income slightly to $10.4 million, though net income decreased by $1.4 million to $4.0 million. The company is focusing on strategies to drive traffic and improve margins, including the launch of a loyalty program and testing breakfast offerings. Portillo’s plans to open 12 new restaurants in 2025, targeting expansion in the Sunbelt region.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Aug 06, 2025