El Pollo Loco Q3 adjusted EPS beats on margin expansion and higher menu prices

El Pollo Loco Holdings

30/10/2025 20:53

Overview

El Pollo Loco Q3 revenue missed analyst expectations, per LSEG data

Adjusted EPS for Q3 beats consensus

Company opened its 500th restaurant, highlighting expansion efforts

Outlook

Company plans to open at least ten system-wide restaurants in 2025

Capital spending projected between $28.0 mln and $30.0 mln

G&A expenses expected between $47.5 mln and $49.5 mln, excluding one-time costs

Result Drivers

TRAFFIC GROWTH - Positive traffic growth driven by targeted value and innovations, enhancing brand equity

MARGIN EXPANSION - Margin expansion achieved through operational efficiencies and higher menu prices

FRANCHISE REVENUE - Increase in franchise revenue due to new restaurant openings and POS system rollout

Key Details

Metric
Beat/Miss
Actual
Consensus Estimate
Q3 Revenue
Miss
$121.50 mln
$123.41 mln (5 Analysts)
Q3 Adjusted EPS
Beat
$0.27
$0.21 (5 Analysts)
Q3 EPS
$0.25
Q3 Adjusted Net Income
$7.80 mln
Q3 Net Income
$7.40 mln
Q3 Adjusted EBITDA
$17.40 mln
Q3 Operating Income
$11.50 mln


Analyst Coverage

The current average analyst rating on the shares is "buy" and the breakdown of recommendations is 2 "strong buy" or "buy", 3 "hold" and no "sell" or "strong sell"

The average consensus recommendation for the restaurants & bars peer group is "buy"

Wall Street's median 12-month price target for El Pollo Loco Holdings Inc is $15.00, about 36.6% above its October 29 closing price of $9.51

Press Release: ID:nGNX3NVPVn

For questions concerning the data in this report, contact Estimates.Support@lseg.com. For any other questions or feedback, contact RefinitivNewsSupport@thomsonreuters.com.

(This story was created using Reuters automation and AI based on LSEG and company data. It was checked and edited by a Reuters journalist prior to publication.)