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Sweetgreen vs El Pollo Loco Holdings: SG and LOCO compared
Sweetgreen is the larger company: $176M of revenue in its latest quarter (Q3 2026) against $126M for El Pollo Loco Holdings (Q3 2026). El Pollo Loco Holdings is growing faster (+4% against +2% a year earlier). El Pollo Loco Holdings is more profitable, with an operating margin of 8.1% against -18.1%.
Where the money goes: SG and LOCO
Sweetgreen (SG) · Q3 2026
Sweetgreen, Q3 2026: revenue $176M (+2% year over year), operating margin -18.1%, net loss $30.7M, operating cash flow −$10.9M. The chart follows the revenue to costs, profit and cash.
El Pollo Loco Holdings (LOCO) · Q3 2026
El Pollo Loco Holdings, Q3 2026: revenue $126M (+4% year over year), operating margin 8.1%, net earnings $6.9M, operating cash flow $7.9M. The chart follows the revenue to costs, profit and cash.
| Sweetgreen (SG) | El Pollo Loco Holdings (LOCO) | |
|---|---|---|
| Latest quarter | Q3 2026 | Q3 2026 |
| Revenue | $176M | $126M |
| Revenue growth, Y/Y | +2% | +4% |
| Operating margin | -18.1% | 8.1% |
| Net earnings | −$30.7M | $6.9M |
| Net margin | -17.5% | 5.4% |
| Operating cash flow | −$10.9M | $7.9M |
| Free cash flow | — | $506K |
| Market value | $1.3B | — |
| P/E | 92.2× | — |
| Analysts’ mean target | $10.16 | — |
Where the revenue comes from
El Pollo Loco Holdings
- Company-operated restaurant revenue: $105M (83%)
- Franchise revenue: $12.5M (10%)
- Franchise advertising fee revenue: $8.4M (7%)
Questions
Which is bigger, Sweetgreen or El Pollo Loco Holdings?
Sweetgreen is the larger company: $176M of revenue in its latest quarter (Q3 2026) against $126M for El Pollo Loco Holdings (Q3 2026).
Is Sweetgreen or El Pollo Loco Holdings growing faster?
El Pollo Loco Holdings is growing faster (+4% against +2% a year earlier).
Which is more profitable, Sweetgreen or El Pollo Loco Holdings?
El Pollo Loco Holdings is more profitable, with an operating margin of 8.1% against -18.1%.
More: Sweetgreen earnings · how Sweetgreen makes money · El Pollo Loco Holdings earnings · how El Pollo Loco Holdings makes money
From the companies' latest 10-Q, 10-K or earnings release (10-Q filed Nov 6, 2026; 10-Q filed Nov 6, 2026). Fiscal quarters can end on different dates. Not investment advice.