OAK BROOK, Ill., April 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Portillo’s Inc. (“Portillo’s”) (Nasdaq: PTLO), the fast-casual restaurant concept known for its menu of Chicago-style favorites, today announced that it will report first quarter 2025 financial results on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, before the market opens. A live audio webcast is scheduled for 10:00 AM ET that same day. Michael Osanloo, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Michelle Hook, Chief Financial Officer, will host the webcast. The webcast will be ...

Core Viewpoint - Portillo's, despite a significant stock decline, shows strong business performance and growth potential, making it an attractive investment opportunity [1][2]. Company Overview - Portillo's originated as a local chain in Chicago, specializing in hot dogs and Italian beef sandwiches, and has a strong local following [3]. - The company was acquired by a private equity firm and went public in 2021, with plans for national expansion [4]. Growth Strategy - Portillo's is expanding its location count by over 10% annually, aiming to exceed 100 locations by the end of 2025, with a long-term goal of nearly 1,000 locations across the U.S. [4]. - The company is focusing on expanding into Sun Belt markets like Arizona, Texas, and Florida, where brand recognition is already established due to the migration of Chicagoans [5]. Financial Performance - Since going public, Portillo's revenue has increased by 43%, with management projecting 11% to 12% revenue growth for 2025 compared to 2024 [5]. - The average unit volume (AUV) for Portillo's is reported at $8.7 million in 2024, which is among the highest in the industry [10]. Comparable-Store Sales - Concerns have arisen regarding Portillo's comparable-store sales growth, which has seen declines in the first three quarters of 2024, with a slight positive growth of 0.4% in Q4 [6][7]. - Management anticipates flat to 2% growth in comparable-store sales for 2025, which is lower than competitors like Chipotle [7]. Long-Term Outlook - Despite current comparable-store sales challenges, the initial high traffic at new locations in new markets is expected to balance out over time, maintaining profitability [9][10]. - If Portillo's continues to grow its locations by 12% annually, it could reach approximately 132 locations and generate around $1.2 billion in revenue, leading to a projected net income of $120 million [13][14]. Investment Potential - The current market cap of Portillo's is approximately $888 million, with a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 7.4, indicating a potentially undervalued stock [14].

Core Viewpoint - Portillo's Inc. (PTLO) has demonstrated strong stock performance, with a 38.3% increase over the past three months, significantly outperforming the industry and the S&P 500 [1] Group 1: Stock Performance - As of the latest close, PTLO shares were priced at $12.42, which is below the 52-week high of $15.78 but above the 52-week low of $8.38 [1] - PTLO has outperformed competitors such as BJ's Restaurants, Cracker Barrel, and Kura Sushi in the same period [1] Group 2: Growth Factors - The company is experiencing solid revenue growth, expansion efforts, and operational efficiency, aided by increased digital engagement and optimized off-premise business channels [4] - Portillo's is actively pursuing expansion, having opened 10 new locations in 2024, including two prototypes designed for cost-effectiveness and operational efficiency [5] - Plans for 2025 include 12 new openings, focusing on Texas and entering Georgia, with a balanced pipeline expected in 2026 [6] Group 3: Customer Engagement Initiatives - The upcoming launch of Portillo's Perks Loyalty program aims to enhance customer engagement through a digital wallet and personalized marketing strategies, targeting 1.5-1.7 million sign-ups by July [7][9] - The program will be tailored to different markets, encouraging frequent visits in established areas while building brand awareness in newer markets [8] Group 4: Market Position and Future Outlook - Despite a recent 11.2% pullback in stock price, attributed to market volatility and competition, the long-term growth prospects for PTLO remain strong [10] - The company's focus on operational efficiency, innovative restaurant formats, and customer-centric initiatives positions it well for sustained success [11]

Core Viewpoint - Portillo's Inc. (PTLO) has been upgraded to a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy), indicating a positive outlook driven by an upward trend in earnings estimates [1][3]. Earnings Estimates and Stock Price Impact - The Zacks rating system emphasizes the importance of changing earnings estimates, which are strongly correlated with stock price movements [4][6]. - An increase in earnings estimates typically leads to higher fair value calculations by institutional investors, influencing their buying or selling decisions [4]. Company Performance Indicators - Portillo's Inc. is expected to earn $0.36 per share for the fiscal year ending December 2025, reflecting a year-over-year decline of 21.7% [8]. - Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for Portillo's Inc. has increased by 13%, indicating a positive revision trend [8]. Zacks Rating System Overview - The Zacks Rank system classifies stocks into five groups based on earnings estimates, with Zacks Rank 1 stocks historically generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988 [7]. - Only the top 5% of Zacks-covered stocks receive a 'Strong Buy' rating, highlighting their superior earnings estimate revision features [10].

Core Insights - Portillo's Inc. has launched an app-less loyalty program called Portillo's Perks, aiming for 1.5 to 1.7 million signups by mid-summer 2025 [1][2] - The stock experienced a slight decline of 0.07% during trading hours but increased by 0.3% in after-hours trading [1] Loyalty Program Features - Portillo's Perks offers a fully digital experience that adapts to customer behaviors, providing personalized rewards based on visit frequency and ordering habits [2] - Customers must check in with their digital Perks card to access rewards, which include free large French fries and other retail items, and the program is applicable across all ordering channels [3] Traffic Driving Strategies - In addition to the loyalty program, Portillo's is implementing various strategies to drive traffic growth, including expanding kiosk usage, advertising beyond the Chicagoland area, and improving operational efficiency [4] - The company plans to increase its restaurant count, opening 10 new locations in 2024 and 12 in 2025, primarily in Texas [5] Stock Performance - PTLO shares have increased by 16.3% over the past six months, outperforming the Zacks Retail - Restaurants industry, which grew by 10.8% [7] - The company aims to enhance traffic, improve margins, and deliver shareholder value through its new strategies [7]

CHICAGO, March 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Portillo's Inc. ("Portillo's" or the "Company") (NASDAQ:PTLO), the fast-casual restaurant concept known for its menu of Chicago-style favorites, today confirmed that its Board of Directors has received a letter from an affiliate of Engaged Capital, LLC ("Engaged Capital") stating that it intends to nominate two director candidates to stand for election to the Company's Board of Directors at Portillo's 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Portillo's issued the foll ...

Confirms Receipt of Director Nominations from Engaged. No Shareholder Action Required at This Time.CHICAGO, March 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Portillo’s Inc. (“Portillo’s” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: PTLO), the fast-casual restaurant concept known for its menu of Chicago-style favorites, today confirmed that its Board of Directors has received a letter from an affiliate of Engaged Capital, LLC (“Engaged Capital”) stating that it intends to nominate two director candidates to stand for election to the Compan ...

CHICAGO, March 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Portillo's, the fast-casual restaurant concept known for its menu of Chicago-style favorites, today announced the launch of Portillo's Perks, an app-less loyalty program that rewards guests for their love of Portillo's. Portillo's Perks reimagines the traditional loyalty program by offering a fully digital experience that adapts to guest behaviors. Unlike standard point-based apps, Portillo's Perks lives in guests' digital wallets and delivers personalized rewards ...

Core Insights - Portillo's has launched a new loyalty program called Portillo's Perks, which is designed to enhance the guest experience through a digital wallet integration rather than a traditional app-based system [1][2][3] Company Overview - Portillo's was founded in 1963 by Dick Portillo with an initial investment of $1,100, starting as a hot dog stand called "The Dog House" in Villa Park, Illinois [5] - The company has expanded to over 90 restaurants across 10 states, offering a menu that includes Chicago-style hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches, char-grilled burgers, fresh salads, and chocolate cake [5] Loyalty Program Details - Portillo's Perks offers a fully digital experience that adapts to guest behaviors, providing personalized rewards based on visit frequency and ordering habits [2][3] - Guests can check in with their digital Perks card to earn badges and unlock rewards, such as free large French fries and retail items, with a goal of achieving 1.5-1.7 million membership signups by midsummer 2025 [3][4] - The program aims to remove friction from the guest experience by integrating directly with existing digital wallets, eliminating the need for additional apps or passwords [4]

Group 1 - The article discusses the investment position of Travis Hoium in Portillo's, indicating a personal stake in the company [1] - The Motley Fool, the platform associated with Travis Hoium, does not hold any positions in the stocks mentioned, suggesting a separation between personal and organizational interests [1] - There is a mention of a disclosure policy by The Motley Fool, which highlights the importance of transparency in investment recommendations [1]