Veteran marketing leader brings proven expertise in driving guest engagement, sales, and modern growth strategies Portillo's Appoints Denise Lauer as Chief Marketing Officer Photo Credit: Lori Sapio Photography OAK BROOK, Ill., Sept. 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Portillo’s (NASDAQ: PTLO), the one-of-a-kind restaurant concept known for its menu of Chicago-style favorites, today announced the appointment of Denise Lauer as Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), effective September 22, 2025. Lauer brings more than ...

OAK BROOK, Il., Aug. 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Portillo's Inc. ("Portillo's" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: PTLO), the one-of-a-kind restaurant concept known for its menu of Chicago-style favorites, today reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 29, 2025. Second Quarter 2025 Performance Highlights (vs. Second Quarter 2024): (1) Adjusted EBITDA and Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP measures. Please see definitions and the reconciliations of these non-GAAP measures accompanying ...

Company Overview - Portillo's, Inc. (NASDAQ: PTLO) has expanded from a small hot dog trailer in Chicago to over 90 restaurants across 10 states [2] - The brand is recognized for its unique menu, which includes Italian beef sandwiches, Chicago-style hot dogs, char-grilled burgers, fresh salads, and chocolate cake [2] - Portillo's operates a company-owned model that focuses on creating experience-oriented destinations, offering dine-in, drive-thru, takeout, and delivery services [2] Upcoming Events - Portillo's will host a Q2 2025 Earnings Webcast on August 5, 2025, at 10 a.m. EST [1] - The earnings release for Q2 2025 will be available before the market opens on the same day [1] - The webcast will be accessible for replay on the Portillo's Investor Relations website [1]

"Gene has dedicated his career to the restaurant industry," said Mike Miles, Chairman of the Board of Portillo's. "His rise from bussing tables to running the world's premier casual-dining company gives him an understanding of all facets of the business, from how to run a great shift to how to best position brands for growth in new markets. He has a passion for the people who work on the front lines and for delivering value to customers and shareholders. We are excited to have his experience and wisdom on t ...

Company Overview - Portillo's Inc. is a fast-casual restaurant chain known for its American classics with a Chicago twist, operating over 90 restaurants across 10 states [1] - The company was founded in 1963 by Dick Portillo, who started with a $1,100 investment in a hot dog stand called "The Dog House" [1] Investor Engagement - CFO Michelle Hook will present at William Blair's 45th Annual Growth Stock Conference on June 3, 2025, at 12:20 p.m. Eastern Time, with a presentation available at investors.portillos.com [3] - On June 4, 2025, CFO Michelle Hook will host a fireside chat at Baird's 2025 Global Consumer, Technology & Services Conference at 3:45 p.m. Eastern Time, along with in-person investor meetings [3] - CEO Michael Osanloo and CFO Michelle Hook will conduct in-person investor meetings at the Jefferies Consumer Conference on June 17 and 18, 2025 [3] Customer Engagement - Portillo's offers a loyalty program called Portillo's Perks, allowing fans to earn and redeem rewards [2] - Customers can order ahead for pickup or delivery through the Portillo's App or website, with food shipping available to all 50 states [2]

CHICAGO, May 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Portillo's Inc. ("Portillo's" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: PTLO), the restaurant concept known for its menu of Chicago-style favorites, today reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 30, 2025. Financial Highlights for the First Quarter 2025 vs. First Quarter 2024: (1) Adjusted EBITDA and Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP measures. Please see definitions and the reconciliations of these non-GAAP measures accompanying this release. "We're ...

Core Viewpoint - Portillo's Inc. has entered into a cooperation agreement with Engaged Capital to identify a new director with restaurant operations experience for its Board of Directors [1][2] Group 1: Cooperation Agreement - The cooperation agreement aims to enhance the Board's expertise by adding a director with relevant restaurant operating experience [1][2] - Engaged Capital played a role in introducing Jack Hartung to the Board in January, indicating a collaborative relationship [2] - Engaged Capital has agreed to customary standstill and voting agreements as part of the cooperation [2] Group 2: Company Strategy and Performance - Portillo's Board is focused on driving traffic, improving margins, and delivering industry-leading unit economics for shareholders [2] - The company is taking actions to shrink restaurant size, drive sustainable same-store sales, and improve restaurant margins, indicating a strategic focus on operational efficiency [2] - Portillo's is recognized for its iconic brand and industry-leading average unit volumes (AUVs) both in and outside of Chicago [2] Group 3: Company Background - Portillo's was founded in 1963 and has grown to over 90 restaurants across 10 states, known for its Chicago-style hot dogs and other menu items [4] - The company offers a loyalty program and ships food nationwide, enhancing customer engagement and market reach [4] Group 4: Engaged Capital Overview - Engaged Capital is an investment advisor focused on building sustainable businesses and creating long-term stockholder value [5] - The firm engages with management and boards of undervalued public companies to unlock embedded value [5]

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].