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LOCO Stock Forecast 2025-2026
$11.29
Current Price
$338.65M
Market Cap
Buy 2
Hold 3
Sell 0
Wall St Analyst Ratings
Distance to LOCO Price Targets
+59.4%
To High Target of $18.00
+6.3%
To Median Target of $12.00
-2.6%
To Low Target of $11.00
LOCO Price Momentum
+3.5%
1 Week Change
+8.0%
1 Month Change
-6.1%
1 Year Change
-2.2%
Year-to-Date Change
-14.1%
From 52W High of $13.14
+36.2%
From 52W Low of $8.29
📊 TOP ANALYST CALLS
Did LOCO Make This Month's Elite Buy List?
We don't follow just any analyst — only the top 3% with a proven track record make our cut. See if El Pollo Loco is one of their latest high-conviction picks.
Latest LOCO Stock Price Targets & Analyst Predictions
Based on our analysis of 6 Wall Street analysts, LOCO has a neutral consensus with a median price target of $12.00 (ranging from $11.00 to $18.00). The overall analyst rating is N/A (N/A/10). Currently trading at $11.29, the median forecast implies a 6.3% upside. This outlook is supported by 2 Buy, 3 Hold, and 0 Sell ratings.
The most optimistic forecast comes from Jeremy Hamblin at Craig-Hallum, projecting a 59.4% upside.
Please note that analyst price targets are forward-looking estimates subject to substantial market, economic, and company-specific risks. Past performance does not guarantee future results, and actual stock performance may materially differ from these projections. Investors should conduct their own due diligence and consider their investment objectives and risk tolerance before making investment decisions.
LOCO Analyst Ratings
2
Buy
3
Hold
0
Sell
LOCO Price Target Range
Low
$11.00
Average
$12.00
High
$18.00
Current: $11.29
Latest LOCO Stock Forecasts by Analyst
These are the latest 20 analyst ratings and price targets for LOCO.
| Date | Firm | Analyst | Rating | Change | Price Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 11, 2025 | Craig-Hallum | Jeremy Hamblin | Buy | Initiates | $18.00 |
| Mar 10, 2025 | Benchmark | Todd Brooks | Hold | Reiterates | $N/A |
| Aug 2, 2024 | Truist Securities | Jake Bartlett | Hold | Maintains | $13.00 |
| May 23, 2024 | Benchmark | Todd Brooks | Hold | Reiterates | $N/A |
| May 3, 2024 | Truist Securities | Jake Bartlett | Hold | Maintains | $12.00 |
| Nov 12, 2021 | Benchmark | Todd Brooks | Hold | Initiates | $N/A |
| Feb 8, 2021 | Truist Securities | Hold | Downgrade | $N/A | |
| May 1, 2020 | SunTrust Robinson Humphrey | Buy | Maintains | $14.00 | |
| Apr 9, 2020 | SunTrust Robinson Humphrey | Jake Bartlett | Buy | Maintains | $12.00 |
| Apr 1, 2020 | SunTrust Robinson Humphrey | Buy | Upgrade | $N/A | |
| Nov 2, 2018 | Baird | David Tarantino | Neutral | Maintains | $14.00 |
| Oct 3, 2018 | Guggenheim | Matthew Difrisco | Buy | Maintains | $17.00 |
| Mar 12, 2018 | Morgan Stanley | Equal-Weight | Maintains | $11.00 | |
| Nov 3, 2017 | Baird | David Tarantino | Neutral | Maintains | $12.00 |
| Aug 7, 2017 | Morgan Stanley | Equal-Weight | Maintains | $13.00 | |
| Nov 4, 2016 | William Blair | Market Perform | Downgrade | $N/A | |
| Nov 4, 2016 | Wells Fargo | Market Perform | Downgrade | $N/A | |
| Jul 26, 2016 | Stifel Nicolaus | Hold | Downgrade | $N/A | |
| Jul 26, 2016 | Stifel | Hold | Downgrade | $N/A | |
| Apr 27, 2016 | SunTrust Robinson Humphrey | Neutral | Downgrade | $N/A |
El Pollo Loco Holdings Inc. (LOCO) Competitors
The following stocks are similar to El Pollo Loco based on their market capitalization and industry sector. These similar stocks potentially provide investors with alternative investment opportunities within the same market segment.
El Pollo Loco Holdings Inc. (LOCO) Financial Data
El Pollo Loco Holdings Inc. has a market capitalization of $338.65M with a P/E ratio of 12.8x. The company generates $480.82M in trailing twelve-month revenue with a 5.4% profit margin.
Revenue growth is +0.9% quarter-over-quarter, while maintaining an operating margin of +9.8% and return on equity of +9.6%.
Valuation Metrics
Market Cap
$338.65M
Enterprise Value
$579.66M
P/E Ratio
12.8x
PEG Ratio
0.7x
Price/Sales
0.7x
Growth & Margins
Revenue Growth (YoY)
+0.9%
Gross Margin
+22.9%
Operating Margin
+9.8%
Net Margin
+5.4%
EPS Growth
+18.9%
Financial Health
Cash/Price Ratio
+3.2%
Current Ratio
0.4x
Debt/Equity
89.2x
ROE
+9.6%
ROA
+4.5%
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El Pollo Loco Holdings Inc. (LOCO) Business Model
About El Pollo Loco Holdings Inc.
What They Do
Specializes in fire-grilled chicken restaurants.
Business Model
El Pollo Loco Holdings Inc. operates a chain of restaurants that generates revenue primarily through the sale of fire-grilled chicken and related Mexican-inspired dishes. The company attracts a diverse customer base, including individuals and families, by offering dine-in and drive-thru services, emphasizing convenience and freshness in its food offerings.
Additional Information
Founded in 1975 and headquartered in Costa Mesa, California, El Pollo Loco has established a strong brand identity around its high-quality, freshly prepared food. The company is positioned within the casual fast-food sector, focusing on healthier dining options and utilizing proprietary cooking methods to maintain a competitive edge. Its stock performance is indicative of consumer dining trends and the overall quick-service restaurant industry's health.
Company Information
Sector
Consumer Cyclical
Industry
Restaurants
Employees
4,143
CEO
Ms. Elizabeth Goodwin Williams
Country
United States
IPO Year
2014
Website
www.elpolloloco.comEl Pollo Loco Holdings Inc. (LOCO) Latest News & Analysis
Featured Analysis
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Latest News
Quick Summary
A dining promotion featuring BOGO burritos and family meal deals has been launched, aimed at enhancing customer engagement and sales through comfort food offerings.
Why It Matters
Promotions like BOGO burritos could boost sales and customer traffic, indicating potential revenue growth for the company, which may positively impact stock performance.
Source: GlobeNewsWire
Market Sentiment:
Neutral
Quick Summary
Zacks uses its Rank system, focusing on earnings estimates and revisions, to identify strong stock picks while monitoring value, growth, and momentum trends.
Why It Matters
The Zacks Rank system highlights stocks with solid earnings potential, guiding investors toward profitable opportunities amidst shifting market trends.
Source: Zacks Investment Research
Market Sentiment:
Positive
Wall Street Analysts See a 33.5% Upside in El Pollo Loco (LOCO): Can the Stock Really Move This High?
17 days ago
Quick Summary
Wall Street analysts suggest a potential upside of 33.5% for El Pollo Loco (LOCO), supported by positive earnings estimate revisions.
Why It Matters
A 33.5% potential upside in El Pollo Loco's price targets, coupled with positive earnings revisions, suggests strong growth prospects, attracting investor interest and potentially driving stock prices higher.
Source: Zacks Investment Research
Market Sentiment:
Positive
Quick Summary
LOCO, OPFI, EIX, SCSC, and ZION are noted for their appealing EV-to-EBITDA ratios and positive earnings forecasts, indicating potential investment opportunities.
Why It Matters
Attractive EV-to-EBITDA ratios and strong earnings outlooks for LOCO, OPFI, EIX, SCSC, and ZION suggest potential undervaluation and growth opportunities, influencing investment decisions.
Source: Zacks Investment Research
Market Sentiment:
Positive
Quick Summary
Zacks uses its Rank system, focusing on earnings estimates and revisions, to identify strong stocks, while also monitoring value, growth, and momentum trends.
Why It Matters
The Zacks Rank system highlights stocks with favorable earnings estimates, indicating potential growth. Tracking value, growth, and momentum trends helps investors identify strong investment opportunities.
Source: Zacks Investment Research
Market Sentiment:
Positive
Wall Street Analysts See a 35.92% Upside in El Pollo Loco (LOCO): Can the Stock Really Move This High?
1 month ago
Quick Summary
El Pollo Loco (LOCO) has a consensus price target indicating a 35.9% upside potential, supported by an upward trend in earnings estimate revisions.
Why It Matters
The 35.9% upside potential signals strong growth expectations for El Pollo Loco, while positive earnings revisions suggest possible near-term stock appreciation.
Source: Zacks Investment Research
Market Sentiment:
Positive
Frequently Asked Questions About LOCO Stock
What is El Pollo Loco Holdings Inc.'s (LOCO) stock forecast for 2026?
Based on our analysis of 6 Wall Street analysts, El Pollo Loco Holdings Inc. (LOCO) has a median price target of $12.00. The highest price target is $18.00 and the lowest is $11.00.
Is LOCO stock a good investment in 2026?
According to current analyst ratings, LOCO has 2 Buy ratings, 3 Hold ratings, and 0 Sell ratings. The stock is currently trading at $11.29. Always conduct your own research and consider your investment goals before making investment decisions.
What is the long-term price prediction for LOCO stock?
Wall Street analysts predict LOCO stock could reach $12.00 in the next 12 months. This represents a 6.3% increase from the current price of $11.29. Please note that this is a projection by Wall Street analysts and not a guarantee.
What is El Pollo Loco Holdings Inc.'s business model?
El Pollo Loco Holdings Inc. operates a chain of restaurants that generates revenue primarily through the sale of fire-grilled chicken and related Mexican-inspired dishes. The company attracts a diverse customer base, including individuals and families, by offering dine-in and drive-thru services, emphasizing convenience and freshness in its food offerings.
What is the highest forecasted price for LOCO El Pollo Loco Holdings Inc.?
The highest price target for LOCO is $18.00 from Jeremy Hamblin at Craig-Hallum, which represents a 59.4% increase from the current price of $11.29.
What is the lowest forecasted price for LOCO El Pollo Loco Holdings Inc.?
Price targets from Wall Street analysts for LOCO are not currently available. The stock is trading at $11.29.
What is the overall LOCO consensus from analysts for El Pollo Loco Holdings Inc.?
The overall analyst consensus for LOCO is neutral. Out of 6 Wall Street analysts, 2 rate it as Buy, 3 as Hold, and 0 as Sell, with a median price target of $12.00.
How accurate are LOCO stock price projections?
Stock price projections, including those for El Pollo Loco Holdings Inc., are based on various factors including financial models, market conditions, and analyst forecasts. While these predictions provide valuable insights, they should be considered alongside your own research and risk tolerance.
Important Disclaimer
The information provided by Ticker Nerd is for educational and informational purposes only. It should not be considered financial or investment advice. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Always conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. Analyst ratings and price forecasts are sourced from Wall St analysts and other experts. These projections are speculative and do not guarantee future stock performance.
Last updated: December 7, 2025 9:48 AM UTC