Margins tighten as Portillo’s (NASDAQ: PTLO) posts Q1 2026 net loss

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Portillo’s Inc. reported softer first-quarter results as margins compressed and earnings turned negative. Revenue rose to $182.6 million, up 3.5% year over year, driven mainly by new restaurant openings, while same-restaurant sales dipped 0.1% as lower average check offset slightly higher traffic.

Operating income fell to $4.5 million from $10.4 million, and the company posted a net loss of $0.5 million versus prior net income of $4.0 million. Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA declined to $34.8 million, and Adjusted EBITDA to $18.5 million, reflecting higher labor, occupancy, pre‑opening, and advertising costs and deleverage from newer units.

Portillo’s operated 106 restaurants as of March 29, 2026 and opened four new locations in Texas during the quarter, with more openings planned, including an airport site at Dallas–Fort Worth. The company highlighted negative same-restaurant sales trends in April and expects further near-term headwinds as it laps prior promotions, while implementing about 2.0% menu price increases in April 2026. Liquidity included $24.0 million in cash and $41.6 million of revolver availability, against $349.3 million of debt and a $344.2 million Tax Receivable Agreement liability. Leadership changes continued, including appointment of a new CEO and an upcoming CFO departure.

Positive

• None.

Negative

• Profitability and comps deteriorated: Q1 2026 revenue grew only 3.5% to $182.6 million while same-restaurant sales declined 0.1%, operating income fell to $4.5 million from $10.4 million, and results moved to a $0.5 million net loss with lower Adjusted EBITDA and Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA.

Insights

Restaurant sector financial analyst

Unit growth continues but comps, margins and earnings weakened this quarter.

Portillo’s grew revenue 3.5% to $182.6 million, mainly from new openings, but same-restaurant sales slipped 0.1%. Lower average check and modest traffic growth show a tougher demand backdrop, especially as the company laps prior menu initiatives and promotions.

Profitability deteriorated. Operating income dropped to $4.5 million and results swung to a $0.5 million net loss. Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA fell to $34.8 million and Adjusted EBITDA to $18.5 million, pressured by higher labor, occupancy, pre-opening and marketing costs plus new-unit deleverage.

Leverage remains meaningful, with $349.3 million drawn under the 2025 Credit Agreement and a $344.2 million Tax Receivable Agreement liability, partially offset by $24.0 million in cash and $41.6 million of revolver capacity. Management flagged negative April same-restaurant sales and further near-term headwinds as it laps last year’s breakfast pilot and promotions, while pursuing pricing and operational initiatives to support Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA and cash flow.

Key Figures

Revenue: $182.6M Same-restaurant sales change: -0.1% Net (loss) income: -$0.5M +5 more

8 metrics

Revenue $182.6M Quarter ended March 29, 2026

Same-restaurant sales change -0.1% Quarter ended March 29, 2026 vs prior year

Net (loss) income -$0.5M Quarter ended March 29, 2026

Operating income $4.5M Quarter ended March 29, 2026

Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA $34.8M Quarter ended March 29, 2026

Adjusted EBITDA $18.5M Quarter ended March 29, 2026

Total debt outstanding $349.3M Under 2025 Credit Agreement as of March 29, 2026

Cash and equivalents $24.0M As of March 29, 2026

Key Terms

Tax Receivable Agreement, Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA, same-restaurant sales, non-controlling interest, +1 more

5 terms

Tax Receivable Agreement financial

"we estimated that our obligation for future payments under the TRA liability totaled $344.2 million"

A contract in which a company agrees to pay a specified party (often former owners after a spinoff or IPO) a share of future tax savings the company realizes. Think of it like agreeing to share a future tax refund with someone who helped create the conditions for that refund. For investors it matters because those payments reduce the cash the company can use for dividends, buybacks, or reinvestment, and therefore affect valuation and returns.

Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA financial

"Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA* of $34.8 million, a decrease of $1.8 million"

Restaurant-level adjusted EBITDA measures the cash profit generated by the restaurants themselves, before corporate overhead, interest, taxes, depreciation and other one-time or non-cash items. Think of it as the profit from each store’s everyday operations — like a household budget that counts only the money coming in and out of the kitchen, not the family’s mortgage or investment income — and it helps investors compare underlying operating strength and margins across restaurant chains.

same-restaurant sales financial

"Same-restaurant sales decrease of -0.1%"

Same-restaurant sales measure how revenue from locations open for a full prior period compares to revenue from those same locations in the current period, isolating performance at existing stores rather than growth from new ones. Investors care because it reveals whether a business is selling more to the same customers or improving pricing and efficiency—like checking whether a bakery is selling more loaves at the same shops rather than just opening more bakeries—and helps judge organic growth and management execution.

non-controlling interest financial

"we report a non-controlling interest to reflect the entitlement of the pre-IPO LLC Members"

Non-controlling interest represents the portion of ownership in a company held by investors who do not have a controlling stake, meaning they do not have enough voting power to make major decisions. It is similar to owning a minority share of a business partner’s company—while they benefit from profits, they cannot control how the company is run. This matters to investors because it shows how much of the company's value is owned by outside shareholders and affects overall financial reporting.

Deferred Compensation Plan financial

"Deferred Compensation Plan - The Company maintains a rabbi trust to fund obligations under a deferred compensation plan."

A deferred compensation plan is an arrangement where an employer agrees to pay part of an employee’s pay or bonus at a later date instead of immediately, often to reduce current tax bills or to tie rewards to long-term performance. For investors it matters because these promises create future cash obligations and influence executive incentives and retention; they can affect a company’s reported liabilities, cash flow planning and the risk profile if the business faces financial trouble.

10-Q Quarterly Reports: What Changes Quarter to Quarter →

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

☒     QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED March 29, 2026

☐     TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM         TO

COMMISSION FILE NUMBER: 001-40951

PORTILLO'S INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware						87-1104304
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)						(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
2001 Spring Road, Suite 400, Oak Brook, Illinois 60523
(Address of principal executive offices)

(630) 954-3773

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

N/A

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class			Trading Symbol			Name of each exchange on which registered
Class A common stock, $0.01 par value per share			PTLO			Nasdaq Global Select Market

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. ☒     Yes    ☐     No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).

☒     Yes ☐     No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. (See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company" and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Large accelerated filer

☒

Accelerated filer

☐

Non-accelerated filer

☐

Smaller reporting company

☐

Emerging growth company

☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

☐     Yes     ☒     No

As of April 28, 2026, there were 72,380,958 shares of the registrant's Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share, and 3,424,546 shares of the registrant's Class B common stock, par value $0.00001 per share, issued and outstanding.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information									1
Part I			Financial Information
			Item 1.			Financial Statements (Unaudited)			3
						Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets			3
						Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations			4
						Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity			5
						Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows			6
						Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements			8
			Item 2.			Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations			20
			Item 3.			Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk			30
			Item 4.			Controls and Procedures			31
Part II			Other Information
			Item 1.			Legal Proceedings			32
			Item 1A.			Risk Factors			32
			Item 2.			Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds			32
			Item 3.			Defaults Upon Senior Securities			32
			Item 4.			Mine Safety Disclosures			32
			Item 5.			Other Information			32
			Item 6.			Exhibits			33
			Signatures						34

Table of Contents

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q ("Form 10-Q") contains forward-looking statements, within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 ("PSLRA"), which are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause actual results to be materially different from the statements made herein. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. Many of the forward-looking statements are located in Part I, Item 2 of this Form 10-Q under the heading "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations." Forward-looking statements discuss our current expectations and projections relating to our financial position, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance and business. You can identify forward-looking statements by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. These statements may include words such as "aim," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "forecast," "future," "outlook," "potential," "project," "projection," "plan," "intend," "seek," "may," "could," "would," "will," "should," "can," "can have," "likely," the negatives thereof and other similar expressions.

Forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and assumptions regarding our business, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, by their nature, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that we may not predict. As a result, our actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements, and you should not unduly rely on these statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include regional, national or global political, economic, business, competitive, market and regulatory conditions and the following:

•risks related to or arising from our organizational structure;

•risks of food-borne illness and food safety and other health concerns about our food;

•risks relating to the economy and financial markets, including in relation to trade and tax policy changes and other macroeconomic uncertainty, including inflation, fluctuating interest rates, stock market volatility, recession concerns, and other factors;

•risks associated with onboarding new members of management, including the Chief Executive Officer;

•the impact of unionization activities of our Team Members on our reputation, operations and profitability;

•risks associated with our reliance on certain information technology systems, and potential failures or interruptions;

•risks associated with data, privacy, cyber security and the use and implementation of information technology systems, including our digital ordering and payment platforms for our delivery business;

•risks associated with increased adoption, implementation and use of artificial intelligence ("AI") technologies across our business;

•the impact of competition, including from our competitors in the restaurant industry or our own restaurants;

•the increasingly competitive labor market and our ability to attract and retain the best talent and qualified employees;

•the impact of federal, state or local government regulations relating to privacy, data protection, advertising and consumer protection, building and zoning requirements, labor and employment matters, costs of or ability to open new restaurants, or the sale of food and alcoholic beverages;

•inability to achieve our growth strategy, including as a result of, among other things, the availability of suitable new restaurant sites in existing and new markets and opening of new restaurants at the anticipated rate and on the anticipated timeline;

•the impact of consumer sentiment and other economic factors on our sales;

•fluctuation in food and other operating costs, tariffs and import taxes, and supply shortages; and

•other risks identified in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC").

All forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. You should evaluate all forward-looking statements made in this Form 10-Q in the context of the risks and uncertainties disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2025 filed with the SEC on February 24, 2026, and subsequent filings with the SEC, which are available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

The forward-looking statements included in this Form 10-Q are made only as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by law.

Portillo's Inc. Form 10-Q | 1

Table of Contents

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited)
			Page
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets			3
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations			4
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity			5
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows			6
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements			8
Note 1. Description Of Business			8
Note 2. Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies			8
Note 3. Revenue Recognition			10
Note 4. Inventories			10
Note 5. Property & Equipment, Net			10
Note 6. Goodwill & Intangible Assets			11
Note 7. Fair Value of Financial Instruments			12
Note 8. Debt			13
Note 9. Non-Controlling Interests			14
Note 10. Equity-Based Compensation			15
Note 11. Income Taxes			15
Note 12. Earnings Per Share			16
Note 13. Contingencies			17
Note 14. Segment Information			17
Note 15. Related Party Transactions			18
Note 16. Subsequent Events			19

Portillo's Inc. Form 10-Q | 2

PORTILLO'S INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(UNAUDITED)

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

			March 29, 2026						December 28, 2025
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash			$	23,993					$	19,963
Accounts and tenant improvement receivables			13,137						16,502
Inventories			7,668						8,207
Prepaid expenses and other			7,127						6,844
Total current assets			51,925						51,516
Property and equipment, net			428,546						420,263
Operating lease assets			264,851						261,086
Goodwill			394,298						394,298
Trade names			221,725						221,725
Other intangible assets, net			22,714						23,391
Equity method investment			15,624						15,696
Deferred tax assets			211,473						211,267
Other assets			6,680						7,292
Total other assets			872,514						873,669
TOTAL ASSETS			$	1,617,836					$	1,606,534
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable			$	39,058					$	43,210
Current portion of long-term debt			6,250						6,250
Current portion of Tax Receivable Agreement liability			1,315						7,910
Short-term debt			104,000						90,000
Deferred revenue			5,541						7,472
Short-term operating lease liabilities			6,922						6,878
Accrued expenses			36,848						32,236
Total current liabilities			199,934						193,956
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES:
Long-term debt, net of current portion			236,585						237,977
Tax Receivable Agreement liability			342,841						344,524
Long-term operating lease liabilities			334,827						329,190
Other long-term liabilities			3,394						3,614
Total long-term liabilities			917,647						915,305
Total liabilities			1,117,581						1,109,261
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (NOTE 13)
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share, 10,000,000 shares authorized, none issued or outstanding			—						—
Class A common stock, $0.01 par value per share, 380,000,000 shares authorized, and 72,159,742 and 71,971,736 shares issued and outstanding at March 29, 2026 and December 28, 2025 , respectively.			722						720
Class B common stock, $0.00001 par value per share, 50,000,000 shares authorized, and 3,424,546 and 3,442,335 shares issued and outstanding at March 29, 2026 and December 28, 2025, respectively.			—						—
Additional paid-in-capital			408,161						404,603
Retained earnings			62,072						62,474
Total stockholders' equity attributable to Portillo's Inc.			470,955						467,797
Non-controlling interest			29,300						29,476
Total stockholders' equity			500,255						497,273
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY			$	1,617,836					$	1,606,534

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

Portillo's Inc. Form 10-Q | 3

PORTILLO'S INC

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

(UNAUDITED)

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

			Quarter Ended
			March 29, 2026						March 30, 2025
REVENUES, NET			$	182,623					$	176,437
COST AND EXPENSES:
Restaurant operating expenses:
Food, beverage and packaging costs			63,285						61,102
Labor			49,195						46,868
Occupancy			11,184						10,021
Other operating expenses			24,115						21,790
Total restaurant operating expenses			147,779						139,781
General and administrative expenses			20,359						18,903
Pre-opening expenses			2,550						508
Depreciation and amortization			7,936						7,040
Net income attributable to equity method investment			(206)						(164)
Other income, net			(287)						(12)
OPERATING INCOME			4,492						10,381
Interest expense			5,627						5,749
Interest income			(50)						(71)
Tax Receivable Agreement liability adjustment			(412)						(647)
(LOSS) INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES			(673)						5,350
Income tax (benefit) expense			(164)						1,360
NET (LOSS) INCOME			(509)						3,990
Net (loss) income attributable to non-controlling interests			(107)						677
NET (LOSS) INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO PORTILLO'S INC.			$	(402)					$	3,313
Net (loss) income per common share attributable to Portillo's Inc.:
Basic			$	(0.01)					$	0.05
Diluted			$	(0.01)					$	0.05
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:
Basic			72,076,398						63,837,940
Diluted			72,076,398						66,468,491

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

Portillo's Inc. Form 10-Q | 4

PORTILLO'S INC

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

(UNAUDITED)

(In thousands, except share data)

Quarter Ended March 29, 2026 and March 30, 2025
																		Class A Common Stock												Class B Common Stock
																								Shares						Amount						Shares						Amount						Additional Paid-in Capital						Retained Earnings						Non-Controlling Interest						Total Stockholders' Equity
Balance at December 29, 2024																								63,674,579						$	637					10,732,800						$	—					$	357,295					$	43,129					$	89,042					$	490,103
Net income																								—						—						—						—						—						3,313						677						3,990
Equity-based compensation																								—						—						—						—						1,669						—						281						1,950
Activity under equity-based compensation plans																								230,551						2						—						—						652						—						—						654
Non-controlling interest adjustment																								—						—						—						—						182						—						(182)						—
Distributions paid to non-controlling interest holders																								—						—						—						—						—						—						(1,291)						(1,291)
Balance at March 30, 2025																								63,905,130						639						10,732,800						—						359,798						46,442						88,527						495,406
Balance at December 28, 2025																								71,971,736						720						3,442,335						—						404,603						62,474						29,476						497,273
Net loss																								—						—						—						—						—						(402)						(107)						(509)
Equity-based compensation																								—						—						—						—						3,083						—						147						3,230
Activity under equity-based compensation plans																								170,217						2						—						—						289						—						—						291
Redemption of LLC Units																								17,789						—						(17,789)						—						—						—						—						—
Non-controlling interest adjustment																								—						—						—						—						190												(190)						—
Distributions paid to non-controlling interest holders																								—						—						—						—						—						—						(376)						(376)
Establishment of liabilities under Tax Receivable Agreement and related changes to deferred tax assets associated with increases in tax basis																								—						—						—						—						(4)						—						—						(4)
Contributions from non-controlling interest holders																								—						—						—						—						—						—						350						350
Balance at March 29, 2026																								72,159,742						$	722					3,424,546						$	—					$	408,161					$	62,072					$	29,300					$	500,255

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

Portillo's Inc. Form 10-Q | 5

PORTILLO'S INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(UNAUDITED)

(In thousands)

			Quarter Ended
			March 29, 2026						March 30, 2025
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net (loss) income			$	(509)					$	3,990
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization			7,936						7,040
Amortization of debt issuance costs and discount			170						176
Loss on sales of assets			72						61
Equity-based compensation			3,230						1,950
Deferred income tax (benefit) expense			(164)						1,360
Tax Receivable Agreement liability adjustment			(412)						(647)
Gift card breakage			(336)						(301)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable			1,434						527
Receivables from related parties			(16)						(8)
Inventories			539						1,240
Other current assets			(281)						(897)
Operating lease assets			2,475						2,383
Accounts payable			(1,378)						(6,876)
Accrued expenses and other liabilities			2,970						(227)
Operating lease liabilities			(785)						(975)
Deferred lease incentives			2,091						—
Other assets and liabilities			518						654
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES			17,554						9,450
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchase of property and equipment			(18,461)						(19,040)
Other			156						—
NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES			(18,305)						(19,040)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from short-term debt, net			14,000						48,000
Payments of long-term debt			(1,562)						(38,750)
Distributions paid to non-controlling interest holders			(376)						(1,291)
Proceeds from stock option exercises			231						587
Employee withholding taxes related to net settled equity awards			(29)						(61)
Proceeds from Employee Stock Purchase Plan purchases			80						114
Payments of Tax Receivable Agreement liability			(7,913)						(7,686)
Payment of deferred financing costs			—						(1,263)
Contributions from non-controlling interests			350						—
NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES			4,781						(350)
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH			4,030						(9,940)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH AT BEGINNING OF THE PERIOD			19,963						22,876
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH AT END OF THE PERIOD			$	23,993					$	12,936

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

Portillo's Inc. Form 10-Q | 6

PORTILLO'S INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(UNAUDITED)

(In thousands)

			Quarter Ended
			March 29, 2026						March 30, 2025
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION
Interest paid			$	5,643					$	6,158
Income tax paid			—						—
NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Accrued capital expenditures			$	8,433					$	8,007
Establishment of liabilities under Tax Receivable Agreement			47						—

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

Portillo's Inc. Form 10-Q | 7

PORTILLO'S INC.

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1.    DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

Portillo’s Inc. ("Inc.") was incorporated as a Delaware corporation on June 8, 2021, for the purpose of completing an initial public offering ("IPO") and related reorganization transactions in order to carry on the business of PHD Group Holdings LLC and its subsidiaries ("Portillo's OpCo"). Portillo's Inc. is the sole managing member of Portillo’s OpCo, and as sole managing member, Inc. operates and controls all of the business and affairs of Portillo's OpCo and reports a non-controlling interest representing the economic interest in Portillo's OpCo held by the other members of Portillo's OpCo (the "pre-IPO LLC Members"). Unless the context otherwise requires, references to "we," "us," "our," "Portillo's," and the "Company" refer to Portillo's Inc. and its subsidiaries, including Portillo's OpCo.

The Company operates restaurants in 11 states that serve Chicago-style hot dogs and sausages, Italian beef sandwiches, char-grilled burgers, chopped salads, crinkle-cut fries, homemade chocolate cake and more, along with two food production commissaries in Illinois. As of March 29, 2026, the Company had 105 restaurants in operation. The Company also had one non-traditional location in operation, a food truck. Portillo's additionally has a 50% interest in a single restaurant owned by C&O Chicago, L.L.C. ("C&O"), which is excluded from the Company's restaurant count noted above. The Company’s principal corporate offices are located in Oak Brook, Illinois.

The Company entered into a joint venture agreement to develop and operate a restaurant at the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport ("DFW") which is expected to commence operations in the second quarter of 2026. The Company holds a 65% ownership interest in AP Dogs, LLC ("AP Dogs") and has day-to-day operational and managerial control over its business and affairs. Accordingly, the Company consolidates the joint venture and reports a noncontrolling interest representing the economic interest in AP Dogs held by the other partner.

NOTE 2.    SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation

The Company has prepared the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") for interim financial statements and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments consisting of normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of our financial position and results of operations. Interim results of operations are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be achieved for the full year. The financial statements and related notes do not include all information and footnotes required by GAAP for annual reports. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2025.

All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The Company does not have any components of other comprehensive income (loss) recorded within its condensed consolidated financial statements, and therefore, does not separately present a statement of comprehensive income (loss).

Fiscal Year

The Company uses a 52- or 53-week fiscal year ending on the Sunday prior to or on December 31. In a 52-week fiscal year, each quarterly period is comprised of 13 weeks. An additional week in a 53-week fiscal year is added to the fourth quarter. Fiscal 2026 and 2025 consist of 52 weeks. The fiscal periods presented in this report are the quarters ended March 29, 2026 and March 30, 2025.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of these condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of sales and expenses during the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Portillo's Inc. Form 10-Q | 8

PORTILLO'S INC.

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In November 2024, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standard Update ("ASU") 2024-03, Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income - Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40): Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses, which requires disaggregation of certain expense captions into specified categories in disclosures within the footnotes to the financial statements. In January 2025, the FASB issued ASU 2025-01 "Income Statement-Reporting Comprehensive Income-Expense Disaggregation Disclosures-Clarifying the Effective Date", which amends the effective date of ASU 2024-03 to clarify that all public business entities are required to adopt the guidance in annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim periods within annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2027. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the effect of adopting this ASU.

In September 2025, the FASB issued ASU 2025-06, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Targeted Improvements to the Accounting for Internal-Use Software, which updates the cost capitalization threshold for internal-use software development costs by removing all references to software project development stages and providing new guidance on how to evaluate whether the probable-to-complete recognition threshold has been met. ASU 2025-06 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2027, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the effect of adopting this ASU.

In December 2025, the FASB issued ASU 2025-11, Interim Reporting (Topic 270), which clarifies existing interim reporting guidance under U.S. GAAP. The ASU clarifies the scope and application of interim reporting requirements, the form and content of interim financial statements and disclosures, and consolidates required interim disclosures within Topic 270. The ASU also introduces a principle requiring disclosure of material events occurring after the annual reporting period but before the issuance of interim financial statements. The amendments do not change underlying interim reporting requirements but improve clarity and consistency. ASU 2025-11 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2028, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the effect of adopting this ASU.

In December 2025, the FASB issued ASU 2025-12, Codification Improvements, which makes technical corrections and clarifications for a broad range of topics within the FASB Accounting Standards Codification to improve clarity and consistency in the application of existing guidance. The improvements are not expected to have a significant effect on current accounting practice or result in significant costs to most entities. ASU 2025-12 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2026, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the effect of adopting this ASU.

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740) Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures, which requires public entities to disclose specific categories in the rate reconciliation and provide additional information for reconciling items that meet a quantitative threshold on an annual basis. ASU 2023-09 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted this standard during the fiscal year ended December 28, 2025.

The Company reviewed all other recently issued accounting pronouncements and concluded that they were either not applicable or not expected to have a significant impact to its condensed consolidated financial statements.

Portillo's Inc. Form 10-Q | 9

PORTILLO'S INC.

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 3.    REVENUE RECOGNITION

Revenues from retail restaurants are presented net of discounts and recognized when food and beverage products are sold to the end customer. Sales taxes collected from customers are excluded from revenues and the obligation is included in accrued liabilities until the taxes are remitted to the appropriate taxing authorities. The Company also offers delivery services to customers which are generally classified as either Dispatch Sales or Marketplace Sales.

The Company sells gift cards which do not have expiration dates. The Company recognized gift card breakage of $0.3 million for both the quarters ended March 29, 2026 and March 30, 2025.

The gift card liability included in deferred revenue on the condensed consolidated balance sheets is as follows (in thousands):

			March 29, 2026						December 28, 2025
Gift card liability			$	5,021					$	6,965

Revenue recognized in the condensed consolidated statement of operations for the redemption of gift cards that were included in their respective gift card liability balances at the beginning of the year is as follows (in thousands):

									Quarter Ended
															March 29, 2026						March 30, 2025
Revenue recognized from gift card liability balance at the beginning of the year															$	2,022					$	2,021

During fiscal 2025, the Company launched Portillo’s Perks™ ("Perks"), an app-less loyalty program that lives in guests’ digital wallets. Perks is a visit-based program, and guests earn rewards based on qualified visits. The Perks liability was $0.2 million as of both March 29, 2026 and December 28, 2025, which is included in deferred revenue on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

NOTE 4.    INVENTORIES

Inventories consisted of the following (in thousands):

						March 29, 2026						December 28, 2025
Raw materials						$	4,923					$	5,408
Work in progress						126						156
Finished goods						1,772						1,827
Consigned inventory						847						816
						$	7,668					$	8,207

NOTE 5.    PROPERTY & EQUIPMENT, NET

Property and equipment, net consisted of the following (in thousands):

			March 29, 2026						December 28, 2025
Land and land improvements			$	27,681					$	26,944
Buildings and improvements			5,813						5,790
Furniture, fixtures, and equipment			202,984						195,341
Leasehold improvements			351,228						327,138
Transportation equipment			1,782						1,956
Construction-in-progress			17,122						34,384
			606,610						591,553
Less accumulated depreciation			(178,064)						(171,290)
			$	428,546					$	420,263

Portillo's Inc. Form 10-Q | 10

PORTILLO'S INC.

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Depreciation expense was $7.2 million and $6.3 million for the quarters ended March 29, 2026 and March 30, 2025, respectively, and is included in depreciation and amortization in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

NOTE 6.    GOODWILL & INTANGIBLE ASSETS

The Company has one reporting unit for goodwill which is evaluated for impairment annually in the fourth quarter of each fiscal year, along with indefinite-lived intangibles, or more frequently when impairment indicators are present. There were no impairment indicators during the quarter ended March 29, 2026.

Intangible assets, net consisted of the following (in thousands):

			As of March 29, 2026
			Gross Carrying Amount						Accumulated Amortization												Net Carrying Amount
Indefinite-lived intangible assets:
Trade names			$	221,725					$	—											$	221,725
Intangible subject to amortization:
Recipes			56,117						(33,403)												22,714
			$	277,842					$	(33,403)											$	244,439

			As of December 28, 2025
			Gross Carrying Amount						Accumulated Amortization												Net Carrying Amount
Indefinite-lived intangible assets:
Trade names			$	221,725					$	—											$	221,725
Intangible subject to amortization:
Recipes			56,117						(32,726)												23,391
			$	277,842					$	(32,726)											$	245,116

Amortization expense was $0.7 million for both the quarters ended March 29, 2026 and March 30, 2025, and is included in depreciation and amortization in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

The estimated aggregate amortization expense related to intangible assets held at March 29, 2026 for the remainder of this year and the succeeding five years and thereafter is as follows (in thousands):

			Estimated Amortization
2026 (excluding the quarter ended March 29, 2026)			$	2,030
2027			2,707
2028			2,707
2029			2,150
2030			1,369
2031			1,369
2032 and thereafter			10,382
			$	22,714

Portillo's Inc. Form 10-Q | 11

PORTILLO'S INC.

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 7.    FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

The carrying value of the Company's cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, accounts and tenant improvement receivables, accounts payable and all other current assets and liabilities, approximate fair values due to the short-term nature of these financial instruments.

Other assets consist of long-term prepaid expenses and a deferred compensation plan with related assets held in a rabbi trust. Other long-term liabilities consist of a deferred gain on a supplier arrangement. Long-term prepaid expenses and other long-term liabilities approximate fair values due to the nature of these financial instruments.

Deferred Compensation Plan - The Company maintains a rabbi trust to fund obligations under a deferred compensation plan. Amounts in the rabbi trust are invested in mutual funds, which are designated as trading securities carried at fair value. The fair value measurement of these trading securities is considered Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy as they are measured using quoted market prices.

As of March 29, 2026 and December 28, 2025, the fair value of the mutual fund investments and deferred compensation obligations were as follows (in thousands):

			March 29, 2026						December 28, 2025
			Level 1																		Level 1
Assets - Investments designated for deferred compensation plan
Cash accounts			$	842																	$	881
Mutual funds			2,026																		2,219
Total assets			$	2,868																	$	3,100

As of March 29, 2026 and December 28, 2025, we had no Level 2 or Level 3 assets.

The deferred compensation investments and obligations are included in other assets, accrued expenses and other long-term liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Changes in the fair value of securities held in the rabbi trust are recognized as trading gains and losses and included in other income in the condensed consolidated statements of operations and offsetting increases or decreases in the deferred compensation obligation are recorded in accrued expenses and other long-term liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Refer to Note 8. Debt for additional information relating to the fair value of the Company's outstanding debt instruments.

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Non-Recurring Basis

Assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis include property and equipment, net, operating lease assets, equity-method investment, goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets. These assets are measured at fair value whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable.

Portillo's Inc. Form 10-Q | 12

PORTILLO'S INC.

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 8.     DEBT

Debt consisted of the following (in thousands):

			March 29, 2026						December 28, 2025
Term Loan			$	245,313					$	246,875
Revolver Facility			104,000						90,000
Unamortized discount and debt issuance costs			(2,478)						(2,648)
Total debt, net			346,835						334,227
Less: Short-term debt			(104,000)						(90,000)
Less: Current portion of long-term debt			(6,250)						(6,250)
Long-term debt, net			$	236,585					$	237,977

2025 Credit Agreement

On January 27, 2025 (the “2025 Credit Agreement Closing Date”), PHD Intermediate LLC ("Holdings"), Portillo’s Holdings LLC (the "Borrower"), the other Guarantors party thereto, the Lenders from time to time party thereto and Fifth Third Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent (in such capacities, the "Administrative Agent"), the L/C Issuer and the Swing Line Lender entered into an amendment (the “Amendment”) to the credit agreement, dated as of February 2, 2023 (the "Existing Credit Agreement" and the Existing Credit Agreement as amended by the Amendment and as may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time thereafter, the "2025 Credit Agreement"), by and among Holdings, the Borrower, the other Guarantors from time to time party thereto, the Lenders from time to time party thereto and the Administrative Agent. The arrangement was accounted for as a debt modification.

The Existing Credit Agreement provided for a term A loan (the "2023 Term Loan Facility") in an initial aggregate principal amount of $300.0 million and revolving credit commitments in an initial aggregate principal amount of $100.0 million (the "2023 Revolver Facility"). The Amendment provides for, among other things, (i) a $250 million term loan A facility (the "2025 Term Loan Facility") and (ii) revolving credit commitments in an initial aggregate principal amount of $150 million (the "2025 Revolver Facility" and, together with the Term Loan Facility, the "2025 Facilities"). The loans under each of the 2025 Facilities mature on January 27, 2030. The proceeds of the 2025 Term Loan Facility were used to pay off in full amounts outstanding under the 2023 Term Loan Facility outstanding on the 2025 Credit Agreement Closing Date.

The 2023 Term Loan Facility and 2023 Revolver Facility accrued, and the 2025 Term Loan and 2025 Revolver Facility accrue interest at the forward-looking secured overnight financing rate ("SOFR") plus an applicable rate determined upon the consolidated total net rent adjusted leverage ratio, in each case subject to a 0.00% floor.

As of March 29, 2026, the interest rate on both the 2025 Term Loan Facility and 2025 Revolver Facility was 6.17%. Pursuant to the 2025 Credit Agreement, as of March 29, 2026, the commitment fees to maintain the 2025 Revolver Facility were 0.20%, and letter of credit fees were 2.50%. Commitment fees and letter of credit fees are recorded as interest expense in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. As of March 29, 2026, the effective interest rate was 6.52%.

As of March 30, 2025, the interest rate on the 2025 Term Loan and 2025 Revolver Facility was 6.58% and 6.57%, respectively. Pursuant to the Existing Credit Agreement as of March 30, 2025, the commitment fees to maintain the 2023 Revolver Facility were 0.20% and letter of credit fees were 2.25%. As of March 30, 2025, the effective interest rate was 7.02%.

The 2025 Term Loan Facility will amortize in quarterly installments, commencing on the last day of the first full fiscal quarter ended after the 2025 Credit Agreement Closing Date, equaling an aggregate amount of $6.3 million for the first 2 years following the 2025 Credit Agreement Closing Date, (ii) $12.5 million for the third and fourth years following the 2025 Credit Agreement Closing Date and (iii) $25.0 million for the fifth year following the 2025 Credit Agreement Closing Date, with the balance payable on the final maturity date.

As of March 29, 2026, outstanding borrowings under the 2025 Credit Agreement totaled $349.3 million, comprised of $245.3 million under the 2025 Term Loan Facility, and $104.0 million under the 2025 Revolver Facility. Letters of credit issued under the 2025 Revolver Facility totaled $4.4 million. As a result, as of March 29, 2026, the Company had $41.6 million available under the 2025 Revolver Facility.

As of December 28, 2025, outstanding borrowings under the 2025 Credit Agreement totaled $336.9 million, comprised of $246.9 million under the 2025 Term Loan Facility, and $90.0 million under the 2025 Revolver Facility. Letters of credit issued under the 2025 Revolver Facility totaled

Portillo's Inc. Form 10-Q | 13

PORTILLO'S INC.

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

$4.4 million. As a result, as of December 28, 2025, the Company had $55.6 million available under the 2025 Revolver Facility.

Discount, Debt Issuance Costs and Interest Expense

Pursuant to the 2025 Credit Agreement, the Company capitalized deferred financing costs and issuance discounts of $1.3 million. The remaining unamortized costs under the 2023 Credit Agreement were $2.0 million. The total deferred financing costs and issuance discounts of $3.3 million will be amortized over the term of the 2025 Credit Agreement.

The Company amortized an immaterial amount of deferred financing costs during both the quarters ended March 29, 2026 and March 30, 2025, which is included in interest expense in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. In addition, the Company also amortized $0.2 million and $0.1 million in original issue discount related to the long-term debt during the quarters ended March 29, 2026 and March 30, 2025, respectively, which is included in interest expense in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Total interest expense was $5.6 million and $5.7 million for the quarters ended March 29, 2026 and March 30, 2025, respectively.

Fair Value of Debt

As of March 29, 2026 and December 28, 2025, the fair value of long-term debt approximates the carrying value as it is variable rate debt. The fair value measurement of this debt is considered Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy as inputs to interest are observable, unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities.

Guarantees and Covenants

The 2025 Credit Agreement contains customary representations and warranties, events of default, reporting and other affirmative covenants and negative covenants, including limitations on indebtedness, liens, investments, negative pledges, dividends, junior financings and other fundamental changes. The 2025 Facilities are guaranteed, subject to customary exceptions, by all of the Borrower’s wholly-owned domestic restricted subsidiaries and Holdings, and are secured by a lien on substantially all of the Borrower’s assets, including fixed assets and intangibles, and the assets of the Guarantors, in each case, subject to customary exceptions. Failure to comply with these covenants and restrictions could result in an event of default under the 2025 Credit Agreement. In such an event, all amounts outstanding under the 2025 Credit Agreement, together with any accrued interest, could then be declared immediately due and payable.

As of March 29, 2026, the Company was in compliance with the financial covenants in the 2025 Credit Agreement.

NOTE 9.     NON-CONTROLLING INTERESTS

We are the sole managing member of Portillo's OpCo, and as a result, consolidate the financial results of Portillo's OpCo. We report a non-controlling interest to reflect the entitlement of the pre-IPO LLC Members who retained their equity ownership in Portillo's OpCo (the "pre-IPO LLC Members"). Changes in our ownership interest in Portillo's OpCo while we retain our controlling interest in Portillo's OpCo will be accounted for as equity transactions. As such, future redemptions or direct exchanges of LLC Units in Portillo's OpCo by the pre-IPO LLC members will result in a change in ownership and reduce the amount recorded as non-controlling interest and increase additional paid-in capital.

The following table summarizes the LLC interest ownership by Portillo's Inc. and pre-IPO LLC members:

			March 29, 2026												December 28, 2025
			LLC Units						Ownership %						LLC Units						Ownership %
Portillo's Inc.			72,159,742						95.5		%				71,971,736						95.4		%
pre-IPO LLC Members			3,424,546						4.5		%				3,442,335						4.6		%
Total			75,584,288						100.0		%				75,414,071						100.0		%

The weighted average ownership percentages for the applicable reporting periods are used to attribute net income (loss) to Portillo's Inc. and the pre-IPO LLC Members. The pre-IPO LLC Members' weighted average ownership percentage for the quarters ended March 29, 2026 and March 30, 2025 was 4.6% and 14.4%, respectively.

Portillo's Inc. Form 10-Q | 14

PORTILLO'S INC.

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The following table summarizes the effects of changes in ownership in Portillo's OpCo on the Company’s equity (in thousands):

			Quarter Ended
			March 29, 2026						March 30, 2025
Net (loss) income attributable to Portillo's Inc.			$	(402)					$	3,313
Activity under equity-based compensation plans			289						652
Non-controlling interest adjustment			190						182
Establishment of liabilities under Tax Receivable Agreement and related changes to deferred tax assets associated with increases in tax basis			(4)						—
Total effect of changes in ownership interest on equity attributable to Portillo's Inc.			$	73					$	4,147

The Company entered into a joint venture agreement to develop and operate a restaurant at DFW airport, which is expected to commence operations in the second quarter of 2026. The Company holds a 65% ownership interest in AP Dogs. In the quarter ended March 29, 2026, $0.4 million of contributions from non-controlling interests were received. There were no contributions from non-controlling interests during the quarter ended March 30, 2025.

NOTE 10.    EQUITY-BASED COMPENSATION

Equity-based compensation expense is calculated based on equity awards ultimately expected to vest and is reduced for estimated forfeitures. Forfeitures are revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates and an adjustment to equity-based compensation expense will be recognized at that time.

Equity-based compensation expense included in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations is as follows (in thousands):

									Quarter Ended
															March 29, 2026						March 30, 2025
Labor															$	403					$	353
General and administrative															2,827						1,597
Total equity-based compensation expense															$	3,230					$	1,950

During the quarter ended March 29, 2026, the Company granted 248,045 RSUs, under the Portillo's Inc. 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (the "2021 Plan") to certain employees, including the Company's Chief Executive Officer, Brett Patterson, and the Company's former Interim Chief Executive Officer, Michael A. Miles Jr. During the quarter ended March 29, 2026, we also granted 291,007 RSUs to non-employee directors under the 2021 Plan. The weighted average fair value of these awards was determined using the Company's closing stock price on the applicable grant dates, which was $4.97. Outstanding time-based RSUs generally vest equally over periods ranging from one to three years on each of the anniversaries of the date of grant subject to continued service on such date.

During the quarter, the Company recognized accelerated and incremental equity‑based compensation expense related to the modification of outstanding equity awards in connection with the announced retirement of our former Interim Chief Executive Officer and Director.

NOTE 11.    INCOME TAXES

We are the sole managing member of Portillo's OpCo, and as a result, consolidate the financial results of Portillo's OpCo. Portillo's OpCo is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal and most applicable state and local income tax purposes. As a partnership, Portillo's OpCo is generally not subject to U.S. federal and state and local income taxes. Any taxable income or loss generated by Portillo's OpCo is passed through to and included in the taxable income or loss of its members, including us, based upon the respective member's ownership percentage in Portillo's OpCo. We are subject to U.S. federal income taxes, in addition to state and local income taxes with respect to our allocable share of any taxable income or loss of Portillo's OpCo, as well as any stand-alone income or loss generated by Portillo's Inc.

Portillo's Inc. Form 10-Q | 15

PORTILLO'S INC.

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Income Tax Expense

The effective income tax rate for the quarters ended March 29, 2026 and March 30, 2025 was 24.4% and 25.4%, respectively. The decrease in our effective income tax rate for the quarter ended March 29, 2026 compared to the quarter ended March 30, 2025 was primarily driven by an increase in the valuation allowance related to equity-based compensation expense for certain executive officers. This decreases the effective income tax rate because the Company recorded a pre-tax loss for the quarter ended March 29, 2026. This decrease is partially offset by an increase in the Company's ownership interest in Portillo's OpCo, which increases its share of taxable income (loss) of Portillo's OpCo. The Company’s annual effective tax rate differs from the statutory rate of 21% primarily because of state and local taxes, deferred tax adjustments and impacts from equity-based award activity partially offset by the portion of Portillo's OpCo earnings that are attributable to non-controlling interest that the Company is not liable for federal or state income taxes.

We evaluate the realizability of our deferred tax assets on a quarterly basis and establish valuation allowances when it is more likely than not that all or a portion of a deferred tax asset may not be realized. As of March 29, 2026, the Company concluded, based on the weight of all available positive and negative evidence, that all of its deferred tax assets (except for those deferred tax assets relating to the basis difference in its investment in Portillo's OpCo that will never be realizable or only reverse upon the eventual sale of its interest in Portillo's OpCo, which we expect would result in a capital loss which we do not expect to be able to utilize) are more likely than not to be realized.

Tax Receivable Agreement

As of March 29, 2026, we estimated that our obligation for future payments under the TRA liability totaled $344.2 million. During the quarter ended March 29, 2026 and March 30, 2025, the Company made TRA payments of $7.9 million relating to tax year 2024 and $7.7 million relating to tax year 2023, respectively. We expect a payment of $1.3 million relating to tax year 2025 to be paid within the next 12 months.

NOTE 12.    EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic net (loss) earnings per share of Class A common stock is computed by dividing net (loss) income attributable to Portillo's Inc. by the weighted-average number of Class A common stock outstanding.

Diluted net (loss) earnings per share is computed by dividing net (loss) income attributable to Portillo's Inc. by the weighted-average number of dilutive securities, using the treasury stock method.

The computations of basic and diluted net (loss) earnings per share for the quarters ended March 29, 2026 and March 30, 2025 are as follows (in thousands):

			Quarter Ended
			March 29, 2026						March 30, 2025
Net (loss) income			$	(509)					$	3,990
Net (loss) income attributable to non-controlling interests			(107)						677
Net (loss) income attributable to Portillo's Inc.			$	(402)					$	3,313
Shares:
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding-basic			72,076						63,838
Dilutive share awards			—						2,631
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding-diluted			72,076						66,468
Basic net (loss) income per share			$	(0.01)					$	0.05
Diluted net (loss) income per share			$	(0.01)					$	0.05

Portillo's Inc. Form 10-Q | 16

PORTILLO'S INC.

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Shares of the Company’s Class B Common Stock do not participate in the earnings or losses of Portillo's Inc. and are therefore not participating securities. As such, separate presentation of basic and diluted earnings per share of Class B Common Stock under the two-class method has not been presented.

The following shares were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share because they would be antidilutive or subject to performance conditions which have not been satisfied by the end of the reporting period (in thousands):

			Quarter Ended
			March 29, 2026						March 30, 2025
Performance Stock Options			345						1,377
Performance Stock Units			221						291
Restricted Stock Units			2,055						3
Stock Options			3,400						311
Total shares excluded from diluted net (loss) income per share			6,021						1,982

NOTE 13.    CONTINGENCIES

The Company is party to legal proceedings and potential claims arising in the normal conduct of business, including claims related to employment matters, contractual disputes, customer injuries, and property damage. Although the ultimate outcome of these claims and lawsuits cannot be predicted with certainty, management believes that the resulting liability, including as a result of the matter described below, if any, will not have a material effect on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

During 2024, a former team member from one of the Company's two California restaurants filed a class action lawsuit alleging wage and hour violations and unfair competition, as well as claims under the California Private Attorneys General Act (“PAGA”). The parties agreed to settlement terms in November 2025, subject to court approval. As of March 29, 2026, a $0.8 million litigation reserve has been recorded in accounts payable on our condensed consolidated balance sheet.

During 2025, plaintiffs filed a wrongful death and survival action in Cook County, Illinois, arising out of a vehicle accident that occurred at a Portillo’s location in Oswego, Illinois. Discovery is expected to continue in the coming months. At this time a loss is reasonably possible but not estimable, and as a result, no litigation reserve has been recorded on our condensed consolidated balance sheet as of March 29, 2026.

On January 19, 2024, Maverick BJK, LLC ("Maverick"), which owns a 50% interest in C&O, initiated arbitration against the Company. Maverick asserts claims for breach of contract, alleging that the sales of the Company's “Ghost Kitchen” location should have been included in C&O’s financials under the terms of the operating agreement. The matter remains pending after unsuccessful mediation efforts in January and March 2026. At this time, a loss is reasonably possible but not estimable, and as a result, no litigation reserve has been recorded on our condensed consolidated balance sheet as of March 29, 2026.

NOTE 14.    SEGMENT INFORMATION

The Company's chief operating decision maker (the "CODM") is its Chief Executive Officer. As the CODM reviews financial performance and allocates resources at a consolidated level on a recurring basis, the Company has one operating segment and one reportable segment.

The CODM allocates resources and assesses performance of the Company based on net income (loss), as reported on the condensed consolidated statement of operations, which as the segment measure of profit and loss that is closest to GAAP, is the required segment measure. Net loss was $0.5 million for the quarter ended March 29, 2026 and net income was $4.0 million for the quarter ended March 30, 2025. In addition to net income (loss), the CODM also reviews revenue, operating income (loss), restaurant-level adjusted EBITDA, and adjusted EBITDA.

The CODM reviews these measures (i) to evaluate the Company's operating results and the effectiveness of business strategies, (ii) internally as benchmarks to compare the Company's performance to its competitors and (iii) as factors in evaluating management's performance when determining incentive compensation. Additionally, the Company believes these measures are important to evaluate the performance and profitability of our restaurants, individually and in the aggregate.

Portillo's Inc. Form 10-Q | 17

PORTILLO'S INC.

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The CODM does not review segment assets and segment expenses at a level different than what is reported in the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheet and condensed consolidated statement of operations. Additionally, the CODM regularly receives information about the Company's capital expenditures which are reported in the Company's condensed consolidated statement of cash flows as purchase of property and equipment under investing activities.

No guest accounts for 10% or more of our revenues.

NOTE 15.    RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

As of March 29, 2026 and December 28, 2025 the related parties’ receivables balance consisted of $0.3 million, due from C&O, which is included in accounts and tenant improvement receivables in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Olo, Inc.

Noah Glass, a member of the Company's Board, is the founder and CEO of Olo, Inc. ("Olo"), a platform the Company uses in connection with our mobile ordering application and delivery.

The Company incurred the following Olo-related costs for the quarters ended March 29, 2026 and March 30, 2025 (in thousands):

			Quarter Ended
			March 29, 2026						March 30, 2025
Food, beverage and packaging costs			$	549					$	487
Other operating expenses			152						151
Total Olo-related costs			$	701					$	638

As of March 29, 2026 and December 28, 2025, $0.4 million and $0.3 million, respectively, were payable to Olo and were included in accounts payable in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Tax Receivable Agreement

We are party to a TRA with certain members of Portillo's OpCo that provides for the payment by us of 85% of the amount of tax benefits, if any, that Portillo's Inc. actually realizes or in some cases is deemed to realize as a result of certain transactions. During the quarter ended March 29, 2026 and March 30, 2025, the Company made TRA payments of $7.9 million relating to tax year 2024 and $7.7 million relating to tax year 2023, respectively. We expect a payment of $1.3 million relating to tax year 2025 to be paid within the next 12 months.

(in thousands)						March 29, 2026						December 28, 2025
Current portion of Tax Receivable Agreement liability						$	1,315					$	7,910
Tax receivable agreement liability						342,841						344,524

Transactions with Non-Controlling Interest Holders

									Quarter Ended
(in thousands)															March 29, 2026						March 30, 2025
Distributions paid to non-controlling interest holders															$	376					$	1,291
Contributions from non-controlling interest holders															$	350					$	—

Portillo's Inc. Form 10-Q | 18

PORTILLO'S INC.

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 16.    SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

On April 30, 2026, Michelle Hook informed the Chief Executive Officer and General Counsel and Secretary of the Company that she will depart from her role as Chief Financial Officer of the Company, effective May 5, 2026.

The Board has initiated a process to identify her successor and has engaged an executive search firm to assist in the search process.

Portillo's Inc. Form 10-Q | 19

Table of Contents

Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

The following discussion contains, in addition to historical information, forward-looking statements that include risks and uncertainties. Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including those set forth under the heading “Cautionary Statements Concerning Forward-Looking Statements” in this report and under the heading “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item IA of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2025 and Part II, Item 1A of this Form 10-Q. The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2025 and the condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q. All information presented herein is based on our fiscal calendar. Unless otherwise stated, references to particular years, quarters, months or periods refer to our fiscal years and the associated quarters, months and periods of those fiscal years.

Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable based on our current knowledge of our business and operations, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. We assume no obligation to provide revisions to any forward-looking statements should circumstances change.

The following discussion summarizes the significant factors affecting the condensed consolidated operating results, financial condition, liquidity and cash flows of our Company as of and for the periods presented below.

We have prepared the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") for interim financial statements and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC").

Overview

Portillo’s serves iconic Chicago street food in high-energy, multichannel restaurants designed to ignite the senses and create memorable dining experiences. Since our founding in 1963 in a small trailer that Dick Portillo called “The Dog House,” we have grown to become a treasured brand with a passionate (some might say obsessed) nationwide following. Our diverse menu features all-American favorites such as Chicago-style hot dogs and sausages, Italian beef sandwiches, char-broiled burgers, fresh chopped salads, crinkle-cut fries, homemade chocolate cake and our signature chocolate cake shake. We create a consumer experience like no other by combining the best attributes of fast-casual and quick-service concepts with an exciting energy-filled atmosphere in a restaurant model capable of generating tremendous volumes. Nearly all of our restaurants were built with double lane drive-thrus and have been thoughtfully designed with a layout that accommodates a variety of access modes including dine-in, carryout, delivery and catering to quickly and efficiently serve our guests. We believe the combination of our craveable food, multichannel sales model, dedication to operational excellence, and distinctive team member-driven culture gives us a competitive advantage.

As of March 29, 2026, we owned and operated 106 Portillo’s restaurants across eleven states, including a restaurant owned by C&O Chicago, L.L.C. ("C&O") of which Portillo’s owns 50% of the equity.

Financial Highlights for the Quarter Ended March 29, 2026 vs. Quarter Ended March 30, 2025:

•Total revenue of $182.6 million, an increase of 3.5% or $6.2 million

•Same-restaurant sales decrease of -0.1%

•Operating income of $4.5 million, a decrease of $5.9 million

•Net loss of $0.5 million, a decrease of $4.5 million from net income of $4.0 million

•Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA* of $34.8 million, a decrease of $1.8 million

•Adjusted EBITDA* of $18.5 million, a decrease of $2.8 million

* Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP measures. Definitions and reconciliations of Adjusted EBITDA to net (loss) income and Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA to operating income, the most directly comparable financial measures presented in accordance with GAAP, are set forth under the section "Key Performance Indicators and Non-GAAP Financial Measures".

Portillo's Inc. Form 10-Q | 20

Recent Developments and Trends

We have announced the following leadership and governance changes:

•Brett Patterson was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer, effective February 23, 2026, and as principal executive officer effective February 25, 2026.

•Eugene I. Lee, Jr. was appointed Chair of the Board of Directors, effective March 10, 2026.

•Jennifer Pecoraro‑Striepling was appointed Chief Development Officer, effective March 16, 2026.

•Michelle Hook announced that she will depart from her role as Chief Financial Officer, effective May 5, 2025.

Additionally, during the first quarter of 2026, we introduced select permanent and limited time menu enhancements, intended to support guest engagement and increase attachment, consistent with our ongoing focus on menu innovation.

We will concentrate our strategic priorities on three key areas: operational excellence across all channels; a more integrated and targeted marketing approach; and a disciplined development strategy. These priorities support our commitment to improving transactions and Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA, positive free cash flow and delivering long-term shareholder value.

In the quarter ended March 29, 2026, total revenue grew 3.5% or $6.2 million, primarily due to new restaurant openings in 2025 and 2026, partially offset by a decline in same-restaurant sales. Same-restaurant sales declined 0.1% during the quarter ended March 29, 2026, compared to a 1.8% increase during the quarter ended March 30, 2025. Refer to "Selected Operating Data" section below for definition of Same-Restaurant Sales.

During April, we have experienced negative same-restaurant sales trends, driven primarily by negative transaction and mix trends as we are lapping the benefit of our breakfast pilot from the prior year. We expect to have continued headwinds in May as we will be lapping our buy-one-get-one beef promotion from the prior year.

In the quarter ended March 29, 2026, commodity inflation was 1.8%, compared to 3.4% for the quarter ended March 30, 2025. Labor, as a percentage of revenue, net increased 0.3% during the quarter ended March 29, 2026, compared to the quarter ended March 30, 2025, primarily due to higher benefit costs, incremental wage rate increases and deleverage from our newer restaurant openings, partially offset by labor efficiencies. We increased certain menu prices by approximately 2.0% in April 2026.

Development Highlights

During the quarter ended March 29, 2026, we opened four restaurants. Subsequent to March 29, 2026, we opened one additional restaurant, bringing our total restaurant count to 107, as of the filing of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including a restaurant owned by C&O, of which Portillo’s owns 50% of the equity. We plan to open three additional restaurants in the remainder of fiscal 2026, including our first airport location at Dallas–Fort Worth International Airport and our second in-line location which will be in Chicago.

Below are the restaurants opened thus far in fiscal 2026:

Location			Opening Month			Fiscal Quarter Opened
Fort Worth, Texas			January 2026			Q1 2026
Humble, Texas			February 2026			Q1 2026
Dallas, Texas			March 2026			Q1 2026
El Paso, Texas			March 2026			Q1 2026
Frisco, Texas			April 2026			Q2 2026

Portillo's Inc. Form 10-Q | 21

Table of Contents

Consolidated Results of Operations

The following table summarizes our results of operations for the quarters ended March 29, 2026 and March 30, 2025 (in thousands):

			Quarter Ended
			March 29, 2026												March 30, 2025
REVENUES, NET			$	182,623					100.0		%				$	176,437					100.0		%
COST AND EXPENSES:
Restaurant operating expenses:
Food, beverage and packaging costs			63,285						34.7		%				61,102						34.6		%
Labor			49,195						26.9		%				46,868						26.6		%
Occupancy			11,184						6.1		%				10,021						5.7		%
Other operating expenses			24,115						13.2		%				21,790						12.4		%
Total restaurant operating expenses			147,779						80.9		%				139,781						79.2		%
General and administrative expenses			20,359						11.1		%				18,903						10.7		%
Pre-opening expenses			2,550						1.4		%				508						0.3		%
Depreciation and amortization			7,936						4.3		%				7,040						4.0		%
Net income attributable to equity method investment			(206)						(0.1)		%				(164)						(0.1)		%
Other income, net			(287)						(0.2)		%				(12)						—		%
OPERATING INCOME			4,492						2.5		%				10,381						5.9		%
Interest expense			5,627						3.1		%				5,749						3.3		%
Interest income			(50)						—		%				(71)						—		%
Tax Receivable Agreement liability adjustment			(412)						(0.2)		%				(647)						(0.4)		%
(LOSS) INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES			(673)						(0.4)		%				5,350						3.0		%
Income tax (benefit) expense			(164)						(0.1)		%				1,360						0.8		%
NET (LOSS) INCOME			(509)						(0.3)		%				3,990						2.3		%
Net (loss) income attributable to non-controlling interests			(107)						(0.1)		%				677						0.4		%
NET (LOSS) INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO PORTILLO'S INC.			$	(402)					(0.2)		%				$	3,313					1.9		%

Revenues, Net

Revenues primarily represent the aggregate sales of food and beverages, net of discounts. Sales taxes collected from customers are excluded from revenues. Revenues in any period are directly influenced by, among other factors, the number of operating weeks in the period, the number of open restaurants, restaurant traffic, our menu prices, third-party delivery platform prices and product mix.

Revenues for the quarter ended March 29, 2026 were $182.6 million compared to $176.4 million for the quarter ended March 30, 2025, an increase of $6.2 million or 3.5%. The increase in revenues was primarily attributed to the opening of eight restaurants in fiscal 2025 and four restaurants during the quarter ended March 29, 2026, partially offset by a decrease in our same-restaurant sales. Restaurants not in our Comparable Restaurant Base (as defined in "Selected Operating Data" below) contributed $7.7 million of the total year-over-year increase. Same-restaurant sales decreased 0.1%, or $0.2 million in the quarter. The same-restaurant sales decline was attributable to a decrease in average check of 0.9%, partially offset by an increase in transactions of 0.8%. The lower average check was driven by an approximate 1.0% decrease in product mix, partially offset by a 0.1% increase in certain menu prices, net of promotional offers. For the purpose of calculating same-restaurant sales for the quarter ended March 29, 2026, sales for 83 restaurants that were open for at least 24 full fiscal periods were included in the Comparable Restaurant Base.

Portillo's Inc. Form 10-Q | 22

Table of Contents

The following table summarizes the Company's revenue for the quarter ended March 29, 2026 and March 30, 2025 (in thousands):

			Quarter Ended
			March 29, 2026						March 30, 2025						$ Change						% Change
Same-restaurant sales (83 restaurants) (1)			$	161,263					$	161,420					$	(157)					(0.1)		%
Restaurants not yet in comparable base opened in fiscal 2026 (4 restaurants) (1)			1,536						—						1,536						nm
Restaurants not yet in comparable base opened in fiscal 2025 (8 restaurants) (1)			9,771						—						9,771						nm
Restaurants not yet in comparable base opened in fiscal 2024 (10 restaurants) (1)			8,363						11,939						(3,576)						(30.0)		%
Other (2)			1,690						3,078						(1,388)						(45.1)		%
Revenues, net			$	182,623					$	176,437					$	6,186					3.5		%

(1) Total restaurants indicated are as of March 29, 2026. Excludes a restaurant that is owned by C&O of which Portillo’s owns 50% of the equity.

(2) Includes revenue from direct shipping sales and non-traditional locations.

Food, Beverage and Packaging Costs

Food, beverage and packaging costs include the direct costs associated with food, beverage and packaging of our menu items and third-party delivery commissions. The components of food, beverage and packaging costs are variable by nature, change with sales volume, are impacted by product and channel mix and are subject to increases or decreases in commodity costs, as well as geographic scale and proximity.

Food, beverage and packaging costs for the quarter ended March 29, 2026 were $63.3 million compared to $61.1 million for the quarter ended March 30, 2025, an increase of $2.2 million or 3.6%. This increase was primarily driven by a 1.8% increase in commodity prices and the opening of eight restaurants in 2025 and four restaurants during the quarter ended March 29, 2026. As a percentage of revenues, net, food, beverage and packaging costs increased 0.1% during the quarter ended March 29, 2026. The increase was primarily due to an increase in certain commodity prices, partially offset by an increase in certain menu prices, net of promotional offers.

Labor Expenses

Labor expenses include hourly and management wages, bonuses and equity-based compensation, payroll taxes, workers’ compensation expense, and team member benefits. Factors that influence labor costs include wage inflation and payroll tax legislation, health care costs and the staffing needs of our restaurants.

Labor expenses for the quarter ended March 29, 2026 were $49.2 million compared to $46.9 million for the quarter ended March 30, 2025, an increase of $2.3 million or 5.0%. This increase was primarily driven by the opening of eight restaurants in 2025 and four restaurants during the quarter ended March 29, 2026, and incremental investments to support our team members. As a percentage of revenues, net, labor increased 0.3% during the quarter ended March 29, 2026. The increase was primarily due to deleverage from our newer restaurant openings, higher benefit costs, and incremental wage rate increases, partially offset by labor efficiencies.

Occupancy Expenses

Occupancy expenses primarily consist of rent, property insurance and property taxes, and exclude occupancy expenses associated with unopened restaurants, which are recorded separately in pre-opening expenses.

Occupancy expenses for the quarter ended March 29, 2026 were $11.2 million compared to $10.0 million for the quarter ended March 30, 2025, an increase of $1.2 million or 11.6%, primarily driven by the opening of eight restaurants in 2025 and four restaurants during the quarter ended March 29, 2026. As a percentage of revenues, net, occupancy expenses increased 0.4% primarily driven by higher occupancy costs and revenue deleverage at new restaurants.

Other Operating Expenses

Other operating expenses consist of direct marketing expenses, utilities and other expenses incidental to operating our restaurants, such as credit card fees and repairs and maintenance.

Other operating expenses for the quarter ended March 29, 2026 were $24.1 million compared to $21.8 million for the quarter ended March 30,

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2025, an increase of $2.3 million or 10.7%, primarily due to the opening of eight restaurants in 2025 and four restaurants during the quarter ended March 29, 2026, and an increase in repairs and maintenance, operating supplies and insurance expense partially offset by lower cleaning expenses. As a percentage of revenues, net, operating expenses increased 0.8% primarily due to the aforementioned increases in expenses and revenue deleverage at new restaurants.

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses primarily consist of costs associated with our corporate and administrative functions that support restaurant development and operations, including marketing and advertising costs incurred as well as legal and professional fees. General and administrative expenses also include equity-based compensation expense. General and administrative expenses are impacted by changes in our team member count and costs related to strategic and growth initiatives.

General and administrative expenses for the quarter ended March 29, 2026 were $20.4 million compared to $18.9 million for the quarter ended March 30, 2025, an increase of $1.5 million or 7.7%. This increase was primarily driven by higher equity‑based compensation and an increase in advertising and professional fees, including $0.5 million of dead site costs. The increase was partially offset by lower vacation-related wage expense, software licensing and legal expenses.

Pre-Opening Expenses

Pre-opening expenses consist primarily of wages, occupancy expenses, which represent rent expense recognized during the period between the date of possession and the restaurant opening date, travel for the opening team and other supporting team members, food, beverage, the initial stocking of operating supplies and legal fees. All such costs incurred prior to the opening are expensed in the period in which the expense was incurred. Pre-opening expenses can fluctuate significantly from period to period, based on the number and timing of openings and the specific pre-opening expenses incurred for each restaurant. Additionally, restaurant openings in new geographic market areas will experience higher pre-opening expenses than our established geographic market areas, such as the Chicagoland area, where we have greater economies of scale and incur lower travel and lodging costs for our training team.

Pre-opening expenses for the quarter ended March 29, 2026 were $2.6 million compared to $0.5 million for the quarter ended March 30, 2025, an increase of $2.0 million or 402.0%. The increase was due to the number and timing of activities related to our planned restaurant openings, including higher pre-opening activity associated with new market locations, for the quarter ended March 29, 2026 as compared to the quarter ended March 30, 2025.

Depreciation and Amortization

Depreciation and amortization expenses consist of the depreciation of fixed assets, including land improvements, buildings and improvements, fixtures and equipment, leasehold improvements, and the amortization of definite-lived intangible assets, which are primarily comprised of recipes.

Depreciation and amortization expense for the quarter ended March 29, 2026 was $7.9 million compared to $7.0 million for the quarter ended March 30, 2025, an increase of $0.9 million or 12.7%. This increase was primarily attributable to incremental depreciation of capital expenditures related to the opening of eight restaurants in 2025 and four restaurants during the quarter ended March 29, 2026.

Net Income Attributable to Equity Method Investment

Net income attributable to equity method investment consists of a 50% interest in C&O, which runs a single restaurant located within the Chicagoland market. We account for the investment and financial results in the condensed consolidated financial statements under the equity method of accounting as we have significant influence but do not have control.

Net income attributable to equity method investment for both the quarters ended March 29, 2026 and March 30, 2025 was $0.2 million.

Other Income, Net

Other income, net, includes among other items, management fee income associated with our investment in C&O, trading gains or losses on our deferred compensation plan, gains or losses on asset disposals, and income resulting from discounts received for timely filing of sales tax

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returns.

Other income, net, for the quarter ended March 29, 2026 was $0.3 million compared to $0.01 million for the quarter ended March 30, 2025, an increase of $0.3 million. This increase was primarily attributable to insurance proceeds received and a vendor settlement.

Interest Expense

Interest expense primarily consists of interest and fees on our credit facilities and the amortization expense for debt discount and deferred issuance costs.

Interest expense for the quarter ended March 29, 2026 was $5.6 million compared to $5.7 million for the quarter ended March 30, 2025, a decrease of $0.1 million or 2.1%. This decrease was primarily driven by a year-over-year lower effective interest rate.

Our effective interest rate was 6.52% as of March 29, 2026 and 7.02% as of March 30, 2025.

Interest Income

Interest income primarily consists of interest earned on our cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash.

Interest income for both the quarters ended March 29, 2026 and March 30, 2025 was $0.1 million.

Tax Receivable Agreement Liability Adjustment

We are party to a Tax Receivable Agreement liability with certain members of PHD Group Holdings LLC and its subsidiaries ("Portillo's OpCo”) that provides for the payment by us of 85% of the amount of tax benefits, if any, that Portillo's Inc. actually realizes or in some cases is deemed to realize as a result of certain transactions.

The Tax Receivable Agreement liability adjustment for the quarter ended March 29, 2026 was $0.4 million compared to $0.6 million for the quarter ended March 30, 2025. The change was related to a remeasurement primarily due to activity under equity-based compensation plans.

Income Tax (Benefit) Expense

Portillo's OpCo is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal, as well as state and local income tax purposes and is not subject to taxes. Rather, any taxable income or loss generated by Portillo's OpCo is allocated to its members in relation to their respective ownership percentage of Portillo's OpCo. We are subject to U.S. federal, as well as state and local, income taxes with respect to our allocable share of any taxable income or loss of Portillo's OpCo, as well as any stand-alone income or loss generated by Portillo's Inc.

Income tax benefit for the quarter ended March 29, 2026 was $0.2 million compared to income tax expense of $1.4 million for the quarter ended March 30, 2025, a decrease of $1.5 million or 112.1%. Our effective income tax rate for the quarter ended March 29, 2026 was 24.4%, compared to 25.4% for the quarter ended March 30, 2025. The decrease in our effective income tax rate for the quarter ended March 29, 2026 compared to the quarter ended March 30, 2025 was primarily driven by an increase in the valuation allowance related to equity-based compensation expense for certain executive officers. This decreases the effective income tax rate because the Company recorded a pre-tax loss for the quarter ended March 29, 2026. This decrease is partially offset by an increase in the Company's ownership interest in Portillo's OpCo, which increases its share of taxable income (loss) of Portillo's OpCo.

Net (Loss) Income Attributable to Non-controlling Interests

We are the sole managing member of Portillo's OpCo. We manage and operate the business and control the strategic decisions and day-to-day operations of Portillo’s OpCo and we also have a substantial financial interest in Portillo’s OpCo. Accordingly, we consolidate the financial results of Portillo’s OpCo, and a portion of our net (loss) income is allocated to non-controlling interests to reflect the entitlement of the pre-IPO LLC Members who retained their equity ownership in Portillo's OpCo (the "pre-IPO LLC Members"). The weighted average ownership percentages for the applicable reporting periods are used to attribute net (loss) income to Portillo's Inc. and the non-controlling interest holders.

Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests for the quarter ended March 29, 2026 was $0.1 million, compared to net income attributable to

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non-controlling interests of $0.7 million for the quarter ended March 30, 2025, a decrease of $0.8 million or 115.8%. The decrease in net income attributable to non-controlling interests for the quarter ended March 29, 2026 was primarily due to a decrease in net income for the quarter ended March 29, 2026, partially offset by a decrease in the pre-IPO LLC Members non-controlling interest holders' weighted average ownership to 4.6% for the quarter ended March 29, 2026 from 14.4% for the quarter ended March 30, 2025.

Selected Operating Data and Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to the GAAP measures presented in our financial statements, we use the following selected operating data and non-GAAP financial measures to evaluate our business, measure our performance, develop financial forecasts and make strategic decisions. These key measures include restaurant openings, average unit volume ("AUV"), same-restaurant sales, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA Margin, Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA and Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA Margin. The Company includes these measures because management believes that they are important to day-to-day operations and overall strategy and are useful to investors in that they provide for greater transparency with respect to supplemental information used by management in its financial and operational decision-making.

			Quarter Ended
			March 29, 2026						March 30, 2025
Total Restaurants (a)			106						94
AUV (in millions) (a)			$	8.3					$	8.7
Change in same-restaurant sales (b)			(0.1)		%				1.8		%
Adjusted EBITDA (in thousands) (b)			$	18,453					$	21,209
Adjusted EBITDA Margin (b)			10.1		%				12.0		%
Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA (in thousands) (b)			$	34,844					$	36,656
Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA Margin (b)			19.1		%				20.8		%

(a) Includes a restaurant that is owned by C&O, of which Portillo’s owns 50% of the equity. AUVs for the quarters ended March 29, 2026 and March 30, 2025 represent AUVs for the twelve months ended March 29, 2026 and March 30, 2025, respectively. Total restaurants indicated are as of March 29, 2026.

(b) Excludes C&O.

Change in Same-Restaurant Sales

The change in same-restaurant sales is the percentage change in year-over-year revenue for the comparable restaurant base, which is defined as the number of restaurants open for at least 24 full fiscal periods (the “Comparable Restaurant Base”). For the quarter ended March 29, 2026 and March 30, 2025, there were 83 and 74 restaurants in our Comparable Restaurant Base, respectively. The Comparable Restaurant Base excludes C&O.

A change in same-restaurant sales is the result of a change in restaurant transactions, average guest check, or a combination of the two. We gather daily sales data and regularly analyze the guest transaction counts and the mix of menu items sold to strategically evaluate menu pricing and demand. Measuring our change in same-restaurant sales allows management to evaluate the performance of our existing restaurant base. We believe this measure provides a consistent comparison of restaurant sales results and trends across periods within our core, established restaurant base, unaffected by results of restaurant openings and enables investors to better understand and evaluate the Company’s historical and prospective operating performance.

Average Unit Volume ("AUV")

AUV is the total revenue (excluding gift card and Perks breakage) recognized in the Comparable Restaurant Base, including C&O, divided by the number of restaurants in the Comparable Restaurant Base, including C&O, by period.

This key performance indicator allows management to assess changes in consumer spending patterns at our restaurants and the overall performance of our restaurant base.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

To supplement the condensed consolidated financial statements, which are prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP, we use the

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following non-GAAP financial measures: Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin, and Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA and Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA Margin. Accordingly, these measures are not required by, nor presented in accordance with, GAAP, but rather are supplemental measures of operating performance of our restaurants. You should be aware that these measures are not indicative of overall results for the Company and that Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA and Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA Margin do not accrue directly to the benefit of stockholders because of corporate-level expenses excluded from such measures. These measures are supplemental measures of operating performance and our calculations thereof may not be comparable to similar measures reported by other companies. These measures are important measures to evaluate the performance and profitability of our restaurants, individually and in the aggregate, but also have important limitations as analytical tools and should not be considered in isolation as substitutes for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP.

Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin

Adjusted EBITDA represents net (loss) income before depreciation and amortization, interest expense, interest income and income taxes, adjusted for the impact of certain non-cash and other items that we do not consider in our evaluation of ongoing core operating performance as identified in the reconciliation of net (loss) income, the most directly comparable GAAP measure to Adjusted EBITDA. Adjusted EBITDA Margin represents Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenues, net.

We use Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin (i) to evaluate our operating results and the effectiveness of our business strategies, (ii) internally as benchmarks to compare our performance to that of our competitors and (iii) as factors in evaluating management’s performance when determining incentive compensation.

We believe that Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin are important measures of operating performance because they eliminate the impact of expenses that do not relate to our core operating performance.

The following table reconciles net (loss) income to Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin (in thousands):

			Quarter Ended
			March 29, 2026						March 30, 2025
Net (loss) income			$	(509)					$	3,990
Net (loss) income margin			(0.3)		%				2.3		%
Depreciation and amortization			7,936						7,040
Interest expense			5,627						5,749
Interest income			(50)						(71)
Income tax (benefit) expense			(164)						1,360
EBITDA			12,840						18,068
Deferred rent (1)			1,734						1,376
Equity-based compensation			3,230						1,950
Cloud-based software implementation costs (2)			—						183
Amortization of cloud-based software implementation costs (3)			280						218
Other loss (4)			72						61
Strategic realignment costs (5)			709						—
Tax Receivable Agreement liability adjustment (6)			(412)						(647)
Adjusted EBITDA			$	18,453					$	21,209
Adjusted EBITDA Margin (7)			10.1		%				12.0		%

(1) Represents the difference between cash rent payments and the recognition of straight-line rent expense recognized over the lease term.

(2) Represents non-capitalized third party consulting and software licensing costs incurred in connection with the implementation of a new HCM system which are included within general and administrative expenses.

(3) Represents amortization of capitalized cloud-based ERP and HCM system implementation costs that are included within general and administrative expenses.

(4) Represents loss on disposal of property and equipment included within other income, net.

(5) Represents $0.5 million of costs related to the Company's strategic reset of its development and growth plans and $0.2 million related to CEO transition and replacement costs. These costs are included within general and administrative expenses.

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(6) Represents remeasurement of the Tax Receivable Agreement liability.

(7) Adjusted EBITDA Margin is defined as Adjusted EBITDA divided by Revenues, net.

Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA and Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA Margin

Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA is defined as revenue, less restaurant operating expenses, which include food, beverage and packaging costs, labor expenses, occupancy expenses and other operating expenses. Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA excludes corporate level expenses and depreciation and amortization on restaurant property and equipment. Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA Margin represents Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenues, net.

We believe that Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA and Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA Margin are important measures to evaluate the performance and profitability of our restaurants, individually and in the aggregate.

The following table reconciles operating income to Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA and Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA Margin (in thousands):

			Quarter Ended
			March 29, 2026						March 30, 2025
Operating income			$	4,492					$	10,381
Operating income margin			2.5		%				5.9		%
Plus:
General and administrative expenses			20,359						18,903
Pre-opening expenses			2,550						508
Depreciation and amortization			7,936						7,040
Net income attributable to equity method investment			(206)						(164)
Other income, net			(287)						(12)
Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA			$	34,844					$	36,656
Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA Margin (1)			19.1		%				20.8		%

(1) Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA Margin is defined as Adjusted EBITDA divided by Revenues, net.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our primary sources of liquidity are cash from operations, cash and cash equivalents on hand, and availability under our 2025 Revolver Facility. As of March 29, 2026, we maintained a cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash balance of $24.0 million and had $41.6 million of availability under our 2025 Revolver Facility, after giving effect to $4.4 million in outstanding letters of credit.

Our primary requirements for liquidity are to fund our working capital needs, operating lease obligations, capital expenditures, and general Restaurant Support Center needs. Our requirements for working capital are not significant because our guests pay for their food and beverage purchases in cash or on debit or credit cards at the time of the sale and we are able to sell many of our inventory items before payment is due to the supplier of such items. Our ongoing capital expenditures are principally related to opening of new restaurants, existing capital investments (both for remodels and maintenance), as well as investments in our Restaurant Support Center infrastructure. Additionally, we continue to invest in technology, including upgrades to our IT infrastructure, to improve operational efficiency and the guest experience.

Based upon current levels of operations and anticipated growth, we expect that cash flows from operations will be sufficient to meet our needs for at least the next twelve months, and the foreseeable future.

Tax Receivable Agreement

In connection with the IPO, we entered into a Tax Receivable Agreement ("TRA") with certain of our pre-IPO LLC Members, pursuant to which we will generally be required to pay 85% of the amount of cash savings, if any, in U.S. federal, state, and local income tax that we actually realize or are deemed to realize, as a result of (i) our allocable share of existing tax basis in depreciable or amortizable assets relating to LLC Units acquired in the IPO, (ii) certain favorable tax attributes acquired by the Company from entities treated as corporations for U.S. tax purposes that held LLC Units prior to the Transactions ("Blocker Companies") (including net operating losses and the Blocker Companies' allocable share of existing tax basis), (iii) increases in our allocable share of then existing tax basis in depreciable or amortizable assets, and

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adjustments to the tax basis of the tangible and intangible assets, of Portillo’s OpCo and its subsidiaries, as a result of (x) sales or exchanges of interests in Portillo’s OpCo (including the repayment of the redeemable preferred units) in connection with the IPO and (y) future redemptions or exchanges of LLC Units by pre-IPO LLC Members for Class A common stock and (iv) certain other tax benefits related to entering into the TRA, including payments made under the TRA.

As of March 29, 2026, we estimate that our obligation for future payments under the TRA totaled $344.2 million. Amounts payable under the TRA are contingent upon, among other things, (i) generation of future taxable income over the term of the TRA and (ii) future changes in tax laws. If we do not generate sufficient taxable income in the aggregate over the term of the TRA to utilize the tax benefits, then we would not be required to make the related TRA payments. The payments that we are required to make will generally reduce the amount of overall cash flow that might have otherwise been available to us, but we expect the cash tax savings we will realize to fund the required payments. Assuming no material changes in relevant tax law and that we earn sufficient taxable income to realize all tax benefits that are subject to the TRA, we estimate that the tax savings associated with all tax attributes described above would aggregate to approximately $404.9 million as of March 29, 2026. Under this scenario, we would be required to pay the TRA Parties approximately 85% of such amount, or $344.2 million, primarily over the next 15 years, substantially declining in year 16 through year 47. In the quarter ended March 29, 2026 and March 30, 2025, we made TRA payments of $7.9 million relating to tax year 2024 and $7.7 million relating to tax year 2023, respectively. We expect a payment of $1.3 million relating to tax year 2025 to be paid within the next 12 months.

Summary of Cash Flows

The following table presents a summary of our cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities (in thousands):

			Quarter Ended
			March 29, 2026						March 30, 2025
Net cash provided by operating activities			$	17,554					$	9,450
Net cash used in investing activities			(18,305)						(19,040)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities			4,781						(350)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash			4,030						(9,940)
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period			19,963						22,876
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period			$	23,993					$	12,936

Operating Activities

Net cash provided by operating activities for the quarter ended March 29, 2026 was $17.6 million compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $9.5 million for the quarter ended March 30, 2025, an increase of $8.1 million or 85.8%. This increase was primarily driven by the change in operating assets and liabilities of $11.7 million and the change in non-cash items of $0.9 million, partially offset by a net loss of $0.5 million in the quarter ended March 29, 2026 compared to net income of $4.0 million in the quarter ended March 30, 2025.

The $11.7 million change in our operating assets and liabilities balances was primarily driven by operating assets and liabilities being a source of net cash of $7.6 million in the quarter ended March 29, 2026, compared to a use of net cash of $4.2 million in quarter ended March 30, 2025 driven by the change in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities, and deferred lease incentives in the quarter ended March 29, 2026. The $0.9 million change from the quarter ended March 29, 2026 in non-cash charges is primarily driven by higher equity-based compensation expense and depreciation and amortization expense, partially offset by a decrease in deferred income tax expense. The change in net (loss) income for the quarter ended March 29, 2026 was primarily due to the factors driving the aforementioned change in revenues and expenses as described in the condensed consolidated results of operations in the quarter ended March 29, 2026 compared to the quarter ended March 30, 2025.

Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities was $18.3 million for the quarter ended March 29, 2026 compared to $19.0 million for the quarter ended March 30, 2025, a decrease of $0.7 million or 3.9%. This decrease was primarily due to the number, format and timing of builds in process.

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Financing Activities

Net cash provided by financing activities was $4.8 million for the quarter ended March 29, 2026 compared to net cash used in financing activities of $0.4 million for the quarter ended March 30, 2025, an increase of $5.1 million or 1466.0%. This increase is primarily due to increased short-term borrowings under the 2025 Credit Agreement, as well as lower distributions to noncontrolling interest holders and the absence of deferred financing costs, partially offset by higher payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement liability and lower proceeds from activity under equity-based compensation plans.

2025 Revolver Facility and Liens

On January 27, 2025, PHD Intermediate LLC, Portillo’s Holdings LLC, the other Guarantors party thereto, the Lenders from time to time party thereto and Fifth Third Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Swing Line Lender entered into an amendment (the “Amendment”) to the 2023 Credit Agreement (as amended by the Amendment and as may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time thereafter, the “2025 Credit Agreement”).

The Amendment provides for, among other things, (i) a $250 million term loan A facility (the “2025 Term Loan Facility”) and (ii) revolving credit commitments in an initial aggregate principal amount of $150 million (the “2025 Revolver Facility” and, together with the Term Loan Facility, the “2025 Facilities”), the proceeds of which will be used to refinance indebtedness under the 2023 Credit Agreement, for general corporate purposes and working capital needs and for other activities permitted under the 2025 Credit Agreement. The loans under each of the 2025 Facilities mature on January 27, 2030.

As of March 29, 2026, we had $104.0 million of borrowings under the 2025 Revolver Facility, and letters of credit issued under the 2025 Revolver Facility totaled $4.4 million. As a result, as of March 29, 2026, the Company had $41.6 million available under the 2025 Revolver Facility.

The 2025 Credit Agreement contains customary representations and warranties, events of default, reporting and other affirmative covenants and negative covenants, including limitations on indebtedness, liens, investments, negative pledges, dividends, junior financings and other fundamental changes. As of March 29, 2026, the Company was in compliance with financial covenants in the 2025 Credit Agreement.

Material Cash Requirements

There have been no material changes to the material cash requirements as disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2025, other than those payments made in the ordinary course of business.

Refer to Note 8. Debt for further information on or about our obligations and the timing of expected payments.

Critical Accounting Estimates

This discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations is based upon the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires the Company to make estimates, judgments, and assumptions that can have a meaningful effect on the reporting of condensed consolidated financial statements. There have been no significant changes to our critical accounting estimates or significant accounting policies as disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2025.

Refer to Note 2. Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies for the Company's assessment of all other recently issued accounting pronouncements.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

There have been no material changes to our exposure to market risks as described in Part II, Item 7A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2025.

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Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

EVALUATION OF DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of such date. Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

CHANGES IN INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended March 29, 2026 identified in connection with the evaluation required by Rules 13a-15(d) and 15d-15(d) of the Exchange Act that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

Information regarding certain legal proceedings to which the Company is a party is provided in Note 13. Contingencies in the notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

There have been no material changes to the risk factors disclosed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2025.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

Under the Second Amended and Restated LLC Agreement of Portillo’s OpCo dated as of October 20, 2021 (the “OpCo LLCA”), the holders of LLC Units (other than the Company) may from time to time require Portillo’s OpCo to redeem all or a portion of their LLC Units for newly-issued shares of Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis in accordance with the terms of the OpCo LLCA.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

None.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.

Not applicable.

Item 5. Other Information.

During the quarter ended March 29, 2026, no director or officer of the Company adopted, amended or terminated a "Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement" or "non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement," as each term is defined in Item 408 of Regulation S-K.

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Item 6. Exhibits.

Exhibit Number						Description			Filed Herewith
3.1						Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Portillo's Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on November 18, 2021)
3.2						Amended and Restated Bylaws of Portillo’s Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on November 18, 2021)
10.1			†			Offer Letter From Portillo's Hot Dogs, LLC to Brett Patterson, as of February 2, 2026 (incorporated by reference to the Company's Form 10-K filed on February 24, 2026).
10.2			†			Offer Letter From Portillo's Hot Dogs, LLC to Tony Darden, as of November 3, 2024			*
31.1						Certification of the Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002			*
31.2						Certification of the Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002			*
32.1						Certifications of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002			#
101.INS						XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document			*
101.SCH						XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document			*
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Portillo's Inc. Form 10-Q | 33

Table of Contents

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

									Portillo's Inc.
									(Registrant)
Date: May 5, 2026						By:			/s/ Brett Patterson
									Brett Patterson
									President, Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer)
Date: May 5, 2026						By:			/s/ Michelle Hook
									Michelle Hook
									Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

Portillo's Inc. Form 10-Q | 34

FAQ

How did Portillo’s (PTLO) revenue perform in the quarter ended March 29, 2026?

Portillo’s generated $182.6 million in revenue for the quarter ended March 29, 2026, up 3.5% from $176.4 million a year earlier. Growth was driven mainly by new restaurant openings in 2025 and 2026, partially offset by slightly negative same-restaurant sales.

What were Portillo’s (PTLO) same-restaurant sales trends in Q1 2026?

Same-restaurant sales at Portillo’s decreased 0.1% in Q1 2026. This reflected a 0.9% decline in average check, driven by weaker product mix, offset somewhat by a 0.8% increase in transactions across 83 restaurants in the comparable base.

Did Portillo’s (PTLO) report a profit or loss for Q1 2026?

Portillo’s reported a net loss of $0.5 million in Q1 2026, compared with net income of $4.0 million a year earlier. The shift reflected higher labor, occupancy, pre-opening and general and administrative costs, plus reduced operating margin despite modest revenue growth.

How many restaurants does Portillo’s (PTLO) operate and where is it expanding?

As of March 29, 2026, Portillo’s operated 106 restaurants across eleven states, including one jointly owned unit. In Q1 2026 it opened four locations in Texas and later added a Frisco, Texas site, with additional openings planned including an airport location at Dallas–Fort Worth International Airport.

What is Portillo’s (PTLO) debt and liquidity position as of March 29, 2026?

Portillo’s had $349.3 million outstanding under its 2025 Credit Agreement, including $245.3 million term loan and $104.0 million revolver borrowings. It held $24.0 million in cash and had $41.6 million of remaining revolver availability after letters of credit.

What is the size of Portillo’s (PTLO) Tax Receivable Agreement liability?

Portillo’s reported a Tax Receivable Agreement liability of $344.2 million as of March 29, 2026. The company paid $7.9 million related to tax year 2024 during the quarter and expects an additional payment of $1.3 million related to tax year 2025 within the next 12 months.

What leadership changes did Portillo’s (PTLO) announce around Q1 2026?

Portillo’s appointed Brett Patterson as President and CEO, effective February 2026, and named Eugene I. Lee, Jr. as Board Chair. It also hired Jennifer Pecoraro‑Striepling as Chief Development Officer and disclosed that CFO Michelle Hook will depart effective May 5, 2026.