Restaurant Operations on Christmas Day - Applebee's locations will be open on Christmas, but hours may vary by restaurant [1] - Most McDonald's outlets will remain open on Christmas, with operating hours differing by location [2] - Wendy's will have several restaurants open on Christmas, with varying hours by location [3] - El Pollo Loco will keep select locations open on Christmas Day, with a complete list available on their website [4] - IHOP will be open on Christmas, though hours may differ by location [5] - McCormick & Schmick's locations will also be open on Christmas Day [6] Specific Operating Hours - Bertucci's will welcome customers from 4 pm to 9 pm on Christmas Day [2] - Fogo de Chão will operate from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Christmas [4] - Kona Grill will be open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Christmas Day [5] - Most Legal Sea Foods restaurants will be open between noon and 8 p.m. on Christmas [5] - Main Event venues will open at 12 p.m. on Christmas [5]

Core Viewpoint - El Pollo Loco has appointed Robert D Wright and Tana Davila as independent board members effective January 1, 2026, to enhance its leadership team as it aims for growth in existing and new markets [1][3]. Group 1: Board Appointments - Robert D Wright, currently CEO of Potbelly Sandwich Works since 2020, has a background in senior roles at Wendy's, Charley's Philly Steaks, and Domino's Pizza [1][2]. - Tana Davila, chief marketing officer at Dutch Bros Coffee since 2023, has previously held marketing leadership positions at CKE Restaurant Holdings and P.F. Chang's [2]. - The appointments are set to follow the retirements of current board members William "Bill" Floyd and Samuel Borgese on December 31, 2025, with Floyd also stepping down as board chair [3]. Group 2: Leadership Transition - Douglas Babb, a board member since 2018, has been elected to succeed Floyd as chair upon his retirement, bringing experience from his previous role as CEO of Cooper Clinic [4]. - Independent board member Deborah Gonzales will chair the Compensation Committee, while Joe Taylor will chair the Audit Committee, effective upon the retirements of Floyd and Borgese [4].

Core Viewpoint - El Pollo Loco has appointed Robert D. Wright and Tana Davila as independent members of its Board of Directors, effective January 1, 2026, to enhance its growth strategy in existing and new markets [1][2][4]. Group 1: Board Appointments - Robert D. Wright, CEO of Potbelly Sandwich Works, brings significant restaurant industry experience and has successfully expanded Potbelly's footprint and digital platform [2][3]. - Tana Davila, Chief Marketing Officer of Dutch Bros Coffee, has driven brand recognition and sales growth while expanding the brand's presence across the U.S. [3]. - Douglas Babb has been elected as Chairperson of the Board following the retirements of William "Bill" Floyd and Samuel Borgese, effective December 31, 2025 [4][6]. Group 2: Leadership Impact - The new board members are expected to leverage their experience in scaling successful brands to support El Pollo Loco's growth strategy [6]. - The company acknowledges the contributions of retiring board members Floyd and Borgese, highlighting their role in menu innovation and operational excellence [5][7]. Group 3: Company Overview - El Pollo Loco is recognized as the leading fire-grilled chicken restaurant in the U.S., with over 500 locations and a commitment to quality ingredients and innovative meals [7][8]. - The company has been awarded by USA Today as a "Best Restaurant for Quick, Healthy Food" for two consecutive years, reflecting its focus on healthier offerings [7].

Core Points - El Pollo Loco is launching its annual "12 Days of Pollo" promotion from December 1 to December 12, offering daily deals exclusively for Loco Rewards members [1][2] - The promotion includes a charitable component where $2 will be donated to No Kid Hungry® for every $10 Classic Tostada Combo redeemed on Giving Tuesday, with a maximum donation of $15,000 [3] - The campaign features a new holiday character, "Chicken in the Kitchen," who will reveal daily deals through social media [4] Promotion Details - Daily deals for the "12 Days of Pollo" include: - Dec. 1: BOGO Fire-Grilled Chicken Burrito - Dec. 2: $10 Classic Tostada Combo - Dec. 3: 20% Off a Purchase - Dec. 4: $8 3-piece Leg and Thigh meal - Dec. 5: $5 off $20 or $10 off $30 - Dec. 6: $25 12-piece Leg and Thigh Family Meal - Dec. 7: Free Caramel Flan or 2 Churros with $15 Purchase - Dec. 8: $9 Double Chicken Burrito Bowl - Dec. 9: +2500 Bonus Points on all Orders - Dec. 10: $20 8-piece Leg and Thigh Family Meal - Dec. 11: $10 Double Chicken Tostada - Dec. 12: BOGO Quesadilla [6] Company Overview - El Pollo Loco is recognized as the leading fire-grilled chicken restaurant in the U.S., known for its flavorful and healthier menu options [5] - The company operates over 500 locations across several states and has expanded internationally with licensed locations in the Philippines [5] - El Pollo Loco Foundation, established in 2004, aims to support youth development and success [7]

Core Insights - Maria Hollandsworth is leaving El Pollo Loco effective December 26, 2023, after serving as president and chief operating officer since 2022 and briefly as interim CEO [1][2] Company Leadership Changes - Hollandsworth's departure follows her interim role as CEO after Larry Roberts left in November 2023 [1] - Liz Williams, who became CEO in February 2024, is leading a turnaround plan for the company [4] Employee Compensation - Hollandsworth will receive accrued benefits, with all restricted stock awards and stock options vesting as of her departure date [2] Industry Experience - Hollandsworth has extensive experience in the restaurant industry, previously serving as regional vice president of operations at Dunkin' and holding various leadership roles at Jack in the Box for over 20 years [3] Turnaround Strategy - The turnaround plan under CEO Liz Williams focuses on operational efficiencies, customer feedback, and the use of artificial intelligence to enhance management practices [4] - The company is also simplifying cooking processes and enhancing training standards [4]

Core Viewpoint - El Pollo Loco Holdings (LOCO) has seen a 7.1% increase in share price over the past four weeks, closing at $10.24, with a potential upside indicated by Wall Street analysts' price targets suggesting a mean estimate of $13.67, representing a 33.5% upside [1][2]. Price Targets and Analyst Estimates - The mean estimate consists of three short-term price targets with a standard deviation of $3.79, where the lowest estimate of $11.00 indicates a 7.4% increase, and the highest estimate of $18.00 suggests a 75.8% increase [2]. - A low standard deviation among price targets indicates a strong agreement among analysts regarding the stock's price movement, which can be a useful starting point for further research [9]. Earnings Estimates and Analyst Sentiment - Analysts show strong agreement in revising earnings per share (EPS) estimates higher, which correlates with potential stock price increases, as indicated by a 6.7% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate over the past month [11][12]. - LOCO holds a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy), placing it in the top 5% of over 4,000 ranked stocks based on earnings estimate factors, suggesting a strong potential upside [13]. Conclusion on Price Movement - While the consensus price target may not be a reliable indicator of the extent of potential gains, the implied direction of price movement appears to be a valid guide for investors [14].

Core Viewpoint - El Pollo Loco Holdings (LOCO) has shown a significant price increase of 11.1% over the past four weeks, with a mean price target of $14 indicating a potential upside of 35.9% from the current price of $10.3 [1] Price Targets and Analyst Estimates - The mean estimate for LOCO comprises three short-term price targets with a standard deviation of $3.61, suggesting variability in analyst predictions. The lowest estimate is $11.00 (6.8% increase), while the highest is $18.00 (74.8% increase) [2] - A low standard deviation among price targets indicates a high degree of agreement among analysts regarding the stock's price movement direction, which can serve as a starting point for further research [9] Earnings Estimates and Analyst Sentiment - Analysts have shown increasing optimism about LOCO's earnings prospects, as evidenced by a strong consensus in revising EPS estimates higher, which correlates with potential stock price increases [11] - Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has risen by 6.9%, with two estimates moving higher and no negative revisions [12] - LOCO holds a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy), placing it in the top 5% of over 4,000 ranked stocks based on earnings estimate factors, indicating strong potential for upside [13] Caution on Price Targets - While consensus price targets are often sought after, they may not reliably indicate actual stock price movements, and investors should approach them with skepticism [3][10]

Core Insights - El Pollo Loco experienced increased traffic and expanded margins in Q3, attributed to menu innovations, operational improvements, and targeted value offerings [1] - The company is outperforming competitors in sales and transactions, indicating effective strategies in a challenging consumer environment [2][3] Menu Innovations - New product launches include the premium Creamy Chipotle and Salsa Verde quesadillas, which have been added to the permanent menu [3] - The company is expanding portable offerings with new Double Chicken Street Corn and Queso Crunch burrito bowls, and plans for 2026 include Double Pollo Salads and additional portable items [3] - El Pollo Loco is testing Loco Tenders with signature dipping sauces and a new fire-fried chicken sandwich, which offers a unique twist on traditional fried sandwiches [4] Brand Campaigns - The new brand campaign "Let's Get Loco," launched in May, has generated momentum, featuring initiatives like the AI Chicken Challenge on social media [5] - The campaign includes a functional call to action, encouraging customer engagement through creative submissions [5] Beverage Strategy - El Pollo Loco plans to enter the competitive beverage market in 2026, recognizing it as a significant opportunity to increase check sizes and enhance brand relevance [4]

Core Insights - The restaurant sector is experiencing significant volatility during the Q3 earnings season, with investors feeling particularly anxious due to multiple challenges such as cost inflation and weak consumer spending [1]. Industry Summary - The restaurant industry is facing headwinds that include rising costs and a decline in consumer spending, impacting major players like Chipotle [1].

Core Insights - The fast-casual restaurant sector has potential for growth, needing more investors and a compelling narrative to attract Wall Street interest [1] Company Insights - The research firm Goulart's Restaurant Stocks specializes in the U.S. restaurant industry, covering various segments from quick-service to fine dining [2] - The firm employs advanced financial modeling and sector-specific KPIs to identify hidden value in public equities, particularly focusing on micro and small-cap companies [2] Analyst Background - The founder of Goulart's Restaurant Stocks has a strong academic background with an MBA in Controllership and Accounting Forensics, and a Bachelor's in Business Administration [2] - The founder has practical experience in finance and business management, including a brief stint as a franchise partner for a regional ice cream shop [2]