Core Insights - El Pollo Loco Holdings reported revenue of $114.28 million for the quarter ended December 2024, marking a year-over-year increase of 1.8% and a surprise of +1.00% over the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $113.15 million [1] - The company achieved an EPS of $0.20, which is an increase from $0.16 a year ago, resulting in an EPS surprise of +53.85% compared to the consensus estimate of $0.13 [1] Financial Performance Metrics - Franchise advertising fee revenue was reported at $7.43 million, exceeding the three-analyst average estimate of $7.36 million, with a year-over-year change of +1.4% [4] - Franchise revenue reached $11.23 million, slightly above the estimated $11.17 million, representing a +2.5% change compared to the same quarter last year [4] - Company-operated restaurant revenue was $95.62 million, surpassing the average estimate of $94.62 million, reflecting a +1.8% year-over-year change [4] Stock Performance - Over the past month, shares of El Pollo Loco have returned -14.9%, in contrast to the Zacks S&P 500 composite's -3.5% change [3] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), suggesting potential for outperformance against the broader market in the near term [3]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For Q4 2024, total revenue was $114.3 million, up from $112.2 million in Q4 2023, representing a year-over-year increase [36] - Company-operated restaurant revenue increased by 1.8% to $95.6 million from $94 million in the same period last year, driven by a 1.6% increase in comparable restaurant sales [36] - Restaurant contribution margin for Q4 was 16.7%, compared to 15.8% in the prior year, indicating a 190 basis point improvement year-over-year [40] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Franchise revenue increased by 2.5% to $11.2 million during Q4, supported by four new franchise openings [37] - Average check size increased by 9%, while transactions decreased by approximately 6.8% during Q4 [37] - The company expects restaurant contribution margin for 2025 to be in the range of 17.25% to 17.75% [40] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - System-wide comparable same-store sales increased by 0.6% from January to February 2025, with a 2.3% increase in company-operated restaurants and a 0.4% decrease in franchise restaurants [37] - Food and paper costs as a percentage of company restaurant sales decreased by 180 basis points year-over-year to 25.1% due to higher menu pricing [38] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on a brand transformation to modernize its image and enhance customer experience, aiming to become the national fire-grilled chicken brand [11][34] - A new advertising campaign is set to launch, emphasizing the quality and value of the food offerings [13][19] - The company plans to open 10 new restaurants in 2025, primarily outside California, and is leveraging restaurant closures in the industry to convert locations to El Pollo Loco [27][29] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the brand's growth potential, citing a strong foundation established in 2024 and a robust product calendar for 2025 [31][34] - The company is addressing operational consistency and customer satisfaction as key focuses for 2025, with a new customer feedback system in place [22][34] - Management highlighted the importance of culinary innovation and value pairing in driving customer engagement and sales growth [18][32] Other Important Information - The company completed 8 company-operated remodels and 44 franchise remodels in 2024, with plans to remodel 60 to 80 restaurants in 2025 [43][30] - The company has $71 million in debt and $2.5 million in cash as of December 25, 2024, and repurchased approximately 104,000 shares for about $1.3 million [44] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you provide insights on the remodels and their impact on same-store sales? - Management noted excitement about the remodel program and positive consumer reactions, but specific data on sales lift from remodels is still being gathered [50][52] Question: What is the status of the franchisee pipeline and activity? - Management reported increased interest from franchise partners, with more meetings and discussions occurring as the brand shows growth in same-store sales and margins [53][56] Question: What factors are contributing to margin expansion? - Management highlighted improvements in supply chain efficiency and labor productivity as key drivers for margin expansion [60][62] Question: Can you clarify the build costs for the new restaurant prototype? - Management indicated that while the goal is to keep costs around $1.8 million, actual costs may vary based on location and market conditions [68][70] Question: What is the impact of the L.A. wildfires on operations? - Management confirmed no significant sales impact from the wildfires, as all team members were safe and only minor disruptions occurred [75] Question: How is the reception of the new Mango Habanero flavor? - Management reported that the new flavor is driving trial among both existing and new customers, contributing to a positive mix shift [78][82]

分组1 - El Pollo Loco Holdings reported quarterly earnings of $0.20 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.13 per share, and showing an increase from $0.16 per share a year ago, resulting in an earnings surprise of 53.85% [1] - The company achieved revenues of $114.28 million for the quarter ended December 2024, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1%, and up from $112.25 million year-over-year [2] - El Pollo Loco has outperformed consensus EPS estimates for four consecutive quarters and has topped consensus revenue estimates three times in the last four quarters [2] 分组2 - The stock has underperformed the market, losing about 8.8% since the beginning of the year, compared to the S&P 500's decline of -0.7% [3] - The current consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming quarter is $0.20 on revenues of $117.08 million, and for the current fiscal year, it is $0.95 on revenues of $491.64 million [7] - The Retail - Restaurants industry, to which El Pollo Loco belongs, is currently ranked in the top 27% of over 250 Zacks industries, indicating a favorable outlook for the sector [8]

Financial Performance - Company-operated restaurant revenue for Q4 2024 increased to $95.6 million, up from $94.0 million in Q4 2023, reflecting a 1.6% increase in comparable restaurant revenue[5] - Total revenue for Q4 2024 was $114.3 million, compared to $112.2 million in Q4 2023, representing a year-over-year increase of 1.9%[6] - Net income for Q4 2024 was $6.0 million, or $0.20 per diluted share, compared to $4.4 million, or $0.14 per diluted share in Q4 2023, marking a 36.4% increase in net income[11] - Adjusted EBITDA for Q4 2024 was $14.3 million, an increase from $13.6 million in Q4 2023[6] - Total revenue for the thirteen weeks ended December 25, 2024, was $114,284,000, an increase from $112,247,000 for the same period in 2023, representing a growth of 1.8%[35] - Net income for the thirteen weeks ended December 25, 2024, was $5,953,000, up from $4,351,000 in the same period of 2023, indicating a growth of 37.0%[39] - Adjusted EBITDA for the thirteen weeks ended December 25, 2024, was $14,339,000, compared to $13,570,000 in the prior year, representing an increase of 5.7%[39] - The adjusted net income for the fifty-two weeks ended December 25, 2024, was $26.801 million, up from $24.526 million in 2023, reflecting a growth of 9.2%[45] Sales and Revenue Growth - System-wide comparable restaurant sales increased by 0.5% in Q4 2024, driven by a 9.0% increase in average check size, despite a 6.8% decrease in transactions[6][7] - Franchise revenue in Q4 2024 rose by 2.5% to $11.2 million, attributed to the opening of four new franchise-operated restaurants[8] - Comparable restaurant sales growth was 2.8% for the fifty-two weeks ended December 25, 2024, compared to 0.3% in the previous year[36] - Franchise revenue increased to $11,232,000 for the thirteen weeks ended December 25, 2024, from $10,956,000 in 2023, marking a growth of 2.5%[38] - System-wide sales for the thirteen weeks ended December 25, 2024, reached $262,248,000, compared to $257,619,000 in the same period of 2023, reflecting a growth of 1.0%[38] Expenses and Debt - General and administrative expenses for Q4 2024 were $11.1 million, up from $10.6 million in Q4 2023, primarily due to increased labor-related costs[10] - As of December 25, 2024, the company's outstanding debt was $71.0 million, with $2.5 million in cash and cash equivalents[12] - Total debt decreased to $71,000,000 as of December 25, 2024, down from $84,000,000 as of December 27, 2023[36] Restaurant Operations and Expansion - The company plans to open one to two new company-operated restaurants and eight to nine new franchised restaurants in 2025[13] - The number of company-operated restaurants at the end of the period increased to 173 from 172 in the previous year[36] - El Pollo Loco operates over 495 company-owned and franchised restaurants across seven U.S. states and has ten licensed locations in the Philippines[27] Strategic Focus and Risks - The company aims to expand its digital business, delivery orders, and catering services to enhance customer engagement[29] - The company is subject to various risks, including inflationary pressures and changes in consumer spending, which could impact financial performance[29] - The company faces challenges in opening new restaurants, including site selection and lease negotiations[29] Financial Reporting and Measures - El Pollo Loco utilizes non-GAAP financial measures such as System-wide sales and Adjusted EBITDA to evaluate operational performance[32] - The company is committed to transparency in its financial reporting, providing reconciliations of non-GAAP measures to GAAP measures[33] - El Pollo Loco's financial measures may not be directly comparable to those of other companies, highlighting the importance of context in financial analysis[33] Other Financial Details - The restaurant contribution margin for the thirteen weeks ended December 25, 2024, was 16.7%, compared to 15.8% in the same period of 2023, showing an improvement of 0.9 percentage points[46] - During the year ended December 25, 2024, the company recognized non-cash impairment charges of $0.1 million, primarily related to two restaurants in Nevada[41] - The company completed the sale of one restaurant in California for cash proceeds of $0.1 million during the year ended December 25, 2024, resulting in a net loss of less than $0.1 million[40] - In the year ended December 27, 2023, the company sold 18 restaurants for cash proceeds of $7.7 million, resulting in a net gain of $5.0 million[40] - Restructuring charges incurred in the year ended December 25, 2024, amounted to $551,000, while the previous year saw restructuring costs of $1.055 million[45] - The company recorded a loss on disposal of assets of $40,000 for the thirteen weeks ended December 25, 2024, compared to a loss of $226,000 for the same period in 2023[46]

Core Insights - El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. reported financial results for the 13- and 52-week periods ended December 25, 2024, highlighting a foundational year with significant progress and a positive outlook for 2025 [4][5]. Financial Performance - Company-operated restaurant revenue for Q4 2024 increased to $95.6 million, up from $94.0 million in Q4 2023, driven by a $1.5 million increase in comparable restaurant revenue (1.6%) and $0.5 million from new restaurant openings [5][9]. - Franchise revenue rose by 2.5% to $11.2 million, attributed to the opening of four franchise-operated restaurants and the sale of one company-operated restaurant to franchisees [6]. - Total revenue for Q4 2024 was $114.3 million, compared to $112.2 million in Q4 2023, with system-wide comparable restaurant sales increasing by 0.5% [9]. - Net income for Q4 2024 was $6.0 million ($0.20 per diluted share), compared to $4.4 million ($0.14 per diluted share) in Q4 2023 [10][9]. - Adjusted EBITDA for Q4 2024 was $14.3 million, an increase from $13.6 million in the previous year [9]. Operational Metrics - Income from operations in Q4 2024 was $9.0 million, up from $7.5 million in Q4 2023, with restaurant contribution at $16.0 million (16.7% of company-operated restaurant revenue) compared to $14.8 million (15.8%) in the prior year [7][9]. - General and administrative expenses increased to $11.1 million in Q4 2024 from $10.6 million in Q4 2023, primarily due to higher labor-related costs [8]. Debt and Shareholder Actions - As of December 25, 2024, the company had an outstanding debt balance of $71.0 million, with $2.5 million in cash and cash equivalents. The company repurchased 103,702 shares for approximately $1.3 million during the fourth quarter [11]. Future Outlook - The company anticipates opening one to two new company-operated restaurants and eight to nine new franchised restaurants in 2025, with capital spending projected between $30.0 million and $34.0 million [16].

Core Viewpoint - El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. is set to report its fourth-quarter 2024 results on March 6, 2025, with expectations of a mixed performance in earnings and revenue compared to the previous year [1][3]. Earnings Performance - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fourth-quarter earnings is 13 cents per share, reflecting an 18.8% decrease from 16 cents reported a year ago [3]. - The company has consistently surpassed earnings estimates in the last four quarters, with an average beat of 26.1% [2]. Revenue Expectations - The consensus estimate for quarterly revenues is $113.2 million, indicating a slight increase of 0.8% from the prior-year figure [3]. - Revenue from company-operated restaurants is estimated at $95 million, up 1.1% year-over-year, while franchise revenues are pegged at $11.2 million, implying a 1.9% increase [5]. Factors Influencing Results - The anticipated revenue growth is attributed to menu innovation, competitive pricing, and marketing efforts, alongside a flexible unit expansion plan and remodeling initiatives [4]. - However, lower transaction volumes in December may have negatively impacted the company's top line [4]. Cost Considerations - Increased general and administrative expenses, particularly from labor-related costs and franchise expenses, are expected to adversely affect the bottom line [6]. - The company's cost-saving initiatives are anticipated to provide some benefits while maintaining food quality and enhancing guest experience [6]. Earnings Prediction Model - The current model does not predict an earnings beat for El Pollo Loco Holdings, with an Earnings ESP of 0.00% [7]. - The company holds a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), indicating a positive outlook despite the earnings prediction [8].

Core Viewpoint - El Pollo Loco Holdings (LOCO) is expected to report a quarterly earnings decline of 18.8% year-over-year, with earnings per share projected at $0.13, while revenues are forecasted to increase by 0.8% to $113.15 million [1] Earnings Projections - Analysts have not revised the consensus EPS estimate for the quarter over the past 30 days, indicating stability in projections [1][2] - Revisions to earnings projections are crucial for predicting investor behavior and short-term stock performance [2] Revenue Estimates - Revenue from Franchise advertising fees is estimated to be $7.36 million, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 0.4% [4] - Franchise revenue is projected at $11.17 million, indicating a year-over-year change of 1.9% [4] - Company-operated restaurant revenue is expected to reach $94.62 million, suggesting a 0.7% increase year-over-year [4] Store Metrics - The number of Franchise restaurants at the end of the period is forecasted to be 326, up from 323 a year ago [5] - Company-owned restaurants are expected to total 173, compared to 172 in the previous year [5] - Total restaurants are projected to reach 499, an increase from 495 in the same quarter last year [5] Stock Performance - Over the past month, El Pollo Loco shares have declined by 5%, while the Zacks S&P 500 composite has decreased by 1.3% [6] - The company holds a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), suggesting it may outperform the overall market in the near future [6]

Core Insights - El Pollo Loco is expanding its Mango Habanero Chicken flavor to include new Mango Habanero Double Tostadas, available starting February 20, 2025 [1][3] - The new Tostadas come in three variations: classic Fire-Grilled Chicken, Baja shrimp, or a combination of chicken and shrimp, with protein content ranging from 40 to 65 grams [2] - Pricing for the new menu item starts at $11.29, with availability limited to select locations [3] 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 495 restaurants across seven U.S. states and has expanded internationally with eight locations in the Philippines [5] - El Pollo Loco has been awarded as the 1 "Best Restaurant for Quick, Healthy Food" in USA TODAY's 10 Best Readers' Choice Awards [5]

Following the success of Mango Habanero Chicken Meals, the brand announces more sweet heat offerings New Mango Habanero Double Tostadas El Pollo Loco’s new Mango Habanero Double Tostadas are available for a limited time. COSTA MESA, Calif., Feb. 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- El Pollo Loco, the nation’s leading fire-grilled chicken restaurant, is building on the success of its recent Mango Habanero Chicken Meals by extending the flavor to its Tostadas. Starting February 20, fans can delight in the sweet an ...

Core Viewpoint - El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. will host a conference call on March 6, 2025, to discuss its fourth quarter and full year 2024 financial results, led by CEO Liz Williams and CFO Ira Fils [1]. Group 1: Conference Call Details - The conference call is scheduled for March 6, 2025, at 4:30 PM Eastern Time [1]. - Access to the call can be made via phone at 201-493-6780, with a replay available until March 20, 2025, by dialing 412-317-6671 and using the passcode 13750792 [2]. - The call will also be webcast live on the company's corporate website, with an archive available shortly after the call [3]. Group 2: Company Overview - El Pollo Loco is recognized as the leading fire-grilled chicken restaurant in the U.S., offering flavorful and healthier menu options made with quality ingredients [4]. - The company operates over 495 company-owned and franchised restaurants across seven U.S. states and has eight licensed locations in the Philippines [4]. - El Pollo Loco emphasizes inclusivity within its workforce of over 4,000 employees, reflecting its commitment to a diverse workplace [4].