El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. reports developments from its fast-casual restaurant business, which operates and franchises El Pollo Loco restaurants centered on citrus-marinated fire-grilled chicken and Mexican-inspired menu items such as burritos, tostadas, bowls, salads and bone-in chicken meals. News commonly covers quarterly financial results, system-wide and company-operated restaurant sales trends, restaurant contribution, operating costs and debt levels.
Company updates also include menu innovation, product tests, loyalty program activity through Loco Rewards, marketing partnerships and brand initiatives tied to its restaurant base. These releases connect operating performance with customer traffic, pricing, menu mix and franchise activity in the limited-service restaurant market.
El Pollo Loco (NASDAQ: LOCO) appointed Frank Garrido as an independent director, effective March 1, 2026, filling the vacancy created by Mark Buller’s retirement effective February 28, 2026. Garrido is Executive Vice President – Chief Restaurant Officer at Domino’s and joined Domino’s in 2017.
The Board and CEO highlighted Garrido’s restaurant operations experience and Buller’s 10-year service as relevant to the company’s expansion and operations priorities.
El Pollo Loco (NASDAQ: LOCO) and WNBA star Arike Ogunbowale launched the “Bring the Fire” contest via the El Pollo Loco Foundation to support school sports teams nationwide. Five teams will each receive $2,000 in new equipment, totaling $10,000. The contest runs through February 19, 2026, with winners announced mid‑March 2026 on El Pollo Loco’s Instagram. The initiative follows a $10,000 donation and surprise visit to Lancaster High School, and entries require an Instagram video tagging @elpolloloco, @arike_ogunbowale, and hashtags #EPLfire and #Contest.
El Pollo Loco (NASDAQ: LOCO) will participate in the 28th Annual ICR Conference in Orlando, FL on January 12, 2026. The company will host a fireside chat at 11:30 AM ET and meet with institutional investors during the conference. The fireside chat will be webcast live and accessible via the company website under the Investors tab at www.elpolloloco.com.
El Pollo Loco (NASDAQ: LOCO) on January 5, 2026 introduced Double Pollo Salads, a new product line featuring double portions of its citrus-marinated, fire-grilled chopped chicken breast across three flavors: Mexican Caesar, Street Corn and limited-time Bacon Ranch. The Street Corn and Mexican Caesar versions contain 52 grams of protein each; Bacon Ranch contains 61 grams of protein (all protein counts exclude dressing). Each salad pairs two scoops of chicken with super greens, avocado, cotija cheese and signature dressings.
The salads are available now nationwide for customers to order.
El Pollo Loco (NASDAQ: LOCO) announced that Robert D. Wright and Tana Davila will join the Board as independent directors, effective January 1, 2026. Wright is CEO of Potbelly and led its expansion and digital growth through a 2025 acquisition by RaceTrac. Davila is CMO of Dutch Bros Coffee and previously held CMO roles at CKE and P.F. Chang’s. William “Bill” Floyd and Samuel Borgese will retire from the Board effective December 31, 2025, and Douglas Babb will become Chairperson upon Floyd’s retirement. Deborah Gonzales and Joe Taylor will assume Compensation and Audit committee chair roles, respectively.
El Pollo Loco (NASDAQ: LOCO) is bringing back its fourth annual “12 Days of Pollo” promotion, offering a new daily deal for Loco Rewards members from December 1–12, 2025. Deals include BOGO burritos and quesadillas, family meals, percent-off offers, bonus rewards points, and meal discounts. Same-day sign-ups are eligible for that day’s offer. On Giving Tuesday (Dec 2), the company will donate $2 per $10 Classic Tostada Combo redeemed, up to $15,000, to No Kid Hungry. The campaign also features social-media surprises and a holiday character called the “Chicken in the Kitchen.” Full terms and rewards details are available at ElPolloLoco.com.
El Pollo Loco (Nasdaq: LOCO) reported third quarter 2025 results for the 13-week period ended September 24, 2025. Total revenue was $121.5 million versus $120.4 million a year earlier. Income from operations rose to $11.5 million from $10.1 million and net income was $7.4 million, or $0.25 per diluted share, versus $6.2 million, or $0.21. Adjusted EBITDA was $17.4 million compared to $15.5 million. System-wide comparable restaurant sales declined 0.8% while company-operated comparable sales fell 1.1% (average check -1.3%, transactions +0.1%).
The company reported $61.0 million of debt at September 24, 2025 (subsequently reduced to $55.0 million as of October 30, 2025), cash of $10.9 million, at least 10 restaurant openings planned for 2025, and 2025 capex of $28.0–$30.0 million.
El Pollo Loco (NASDAQ: LOCO) will announce third quarter 2025 results on Thursday, October 30, 2025. A press release with Q3 2025 financial results will be issued shortly after the market close that day.
The company will host a conference call at 4:30 PM Eastern Time on October 30, 2025, hosted by CEO Liz Williams and CFO Ira Fils. Investors can listen live by phone at 201-493-6780 or via webcast at investor.elpolloloco.com under the Events & Presentations page. A replay is available by dialing 412-317-6671 with passcode 13755803 through Thursday, November 13, 2025. An archived webcast will be posted on the corporate website shortly after the call.
El Pollo Loco (NASDAQ: LOCO) announced the opening of its 500th U.S. restaurant in Colorado Springs on Oct 17, 2025, marking the chain’s 50th anniversary milestone. The new location at 825 E. Fillmore Street is the brand’s third Colorado restaurant and arrives amid a year of expansion with 10 new openings planned in 2025, most outside California. The company highlighted a strong development pipeline with restaurants under construction in El Paso, Dallas, Albuquerque, and Greater Seattle, and promotional activity including a $5 Two-Piece Chicken offer for Loco Rewards members on Oct 17, 2025.
The announcement emphasizes brand marketing initiatives, recent menu innovations, athlete partnerships, and ongoing franchise interest as drivers for national growth.
El Pollo Loco (NASDAQ:LOCO) has launched new Double Chicken Burrito Bowls featuring two variants: the Queso Crunch and Street Corn Burrito Bowls. Each bowl comes with a double portion of the brand's signature citrus-marinated, fire-grilled chicken, priced at $11.79 for a la carte and $14.59 for combo meals.
The Queso Crunch bowl features warm queso blanco and tortilla strips, while the Street Corn variant includes corn, red peppers, and cotija cheese. Additionally, the company introduced the Fam Feast meal deal at $29.99, which includes 8 pieces of fire-grilled chicken, three large sides, churros, tortillas, and salsa, serving 3-4 people.