Filing Flows › El Pollo Loco Holdings (LOCO) › Q1 2026
El Pollo Loco Holdings (LOCO) Q1 2026 earnings results (first quarter 2026)
10-Q filed May 8, 2026
El Pollo Loco Holdings (LOCO) reported revenue of $126M for the first quarter 2026 (Q1 2026), +6% from a year earlier and +2% from the quarter before. Operating margin was 9.7%, net earnings $8.2M (6.5% of revenue).
El Pollo Loco Holdings, Q1 2026: revenue $126M (+6% year over year), operating margin 9.7%, net earnings $8.2M, operating cash flow $13.0M. The chart follows the revenue to costs, profit and cash.
| Q1 2026 | Amount | Q/Q | Y/Y |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | $126M | +2% | +6% |
| Operating profit | $12.2M | +18% | +36% |
| Net earnings | $8.2M | +25% | +49% |
| Operating cash flow | $13.0M | -6% | +175% |
| Free cash flow | $2.8M | -46% | +105% |
What changed
Revenue was $126.2M in Q1 2026, up 6% year over year and up 2% from the previous quarter. Company-operated restaurant revenue was the largest line at 84% of revenue. Company-operated restaurant revenue added $7.5M year over year (up 8%), 108% of the total change. Franchise revenue declined 9%.
Operating profit was $12.2M, a 9.7% margin (up 2.2 points year over year). Of the extra revenue versus Q1 2025, 46% reached operating profit, above the 8% margin then. Total costs grew 3% against revenue growth of 6%. The fastest-growing cost line was General & admin (+14%). Net earnings were $8.2M, up 49% year over year. The effective tax rate was 29.0%.
Operating cash flow was $13.0M (up 175% year over year), 159% of net earnings. Non-cash charges added back $4.3M of depreciation and amortization and $1.3M of share-based compensation. Working capital and other items used $751K. Capital expenditures of $10.2M left free cash flow of $2.8M.
Questions
What was El Pollo Loco Holdings' revenue in the first quarter 2026?
El Pollo Loco Holdings (LOCO) reported revenue of $126M for the first quarter 2026 (Q1 2026), +6% from a year earlier and +2% from the quarter before.
Was El Pollo Loco Holdings profitable in the first quarter 2026?
Operating profit was $12.2M (9.7% of revenue) and net earnings $8.2M.