El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. (LOCO) Price Target Analysis
Wall Street analyst price targets, ratings consensus & upside potential · Updated May 1, 2026
Current Price
$13.51
Price Target
$12.25
Target Range
$11.00 — $13.50
Analyst Rating
Hold
Forward P/E13.9x
Trailing P/E15.0x
Forward PEG2.42
Implied Growth+8.1%
Median Target$12.25
Analyst Spread20.4%
Price Forecast (1 Year)
Last 12 months price action with 12-month analyst target path
Bear Case
$11
-18.6%
Consensus
$12
-9.3%
Bull Case
$14
-0.1%
LOCO Price Target Analysis
Updated May 8, 2026As of May 8, 2026, El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. (LOCO) has a Wall Street consensus price target of $12.25, based on estimates from 12 covering analysts. With the stock currently trading at $13.51, this represents a potential downside of -9.3%. The company has a market capitalization of $405M.
Analyst price targets range from a low of $11.00 to a high of $13.50, representing a 20% spread in expectations. The median target of $12.25 aligns closely with the consensus average. The tight target dispersion indicates high conviction among analysts.
The current analyst consensus rating is Hold, with 5 analysts rating the stock as a Buy or Strong Buy,7 rating it Hold, and 0 rating it Sell or Strong Sell. The mixed ratings reflect uncertainty about near-term direction.
From a valuation perspective, LOCO trades at a trailing P/E of 15.0x and forward P/E of 13.9x. The forward PEG ratio of 2.42 reflects a premium valuation. Analysts expect EPS to grow +8.1% over the next year.
Investment Context: Price targets represent analyst expectations for the next 12 months and should be considered alongside your own research. Targets are based on analysts' assumptions about earnings growth, margins, and market conditions which may change. For sector-specific context, view other Consumer Cyclical stocks.
Analyst Sentiment Comparison
Industry Peer AnalysisAvg Peer Upside+37.4%
Avg Forward P/E27.5x
Peers with Coverage9 / 10
| Company | Market Cap | Price | Target | Upside | Rating | Fwd P/E | Analysts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 JACKJack in the Box Inc. | $266M | $13.87 | $19.92 | +43.6% | Hold | 4.0x | 41 |
 TXRHTexas Roadhouse, Inc. | $10.4B | $157.93 | $191.64 | +21.3% | Hold | 25.0x | 43 |
 SHAKShake Shack Inc. | $2.8B | $69.25 | $120.89 | +74.6% | Hold | 50.2x | 35 |
 FRSHFreshworks Inc. | $2.5B | $9.03 | $11.43 | +26.6% | Buy | 15.9x | 18 |
 BROSDutch Bros Inc. | $6.8B | $53.58 | $74.45 | +39.0% | Buy | 60.3x | 21 |
 NATHNathan's Famous, Inc. | $952M | $101.48 | — | — | — | — | — |
 RRGBRed Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc. | $81M | $3.67 | $7.00 | +90.7% | Hold | — | 38 |
 QSRRestaurant Brands International Inc. | $27.4B | $79.14 | $83.71 | +5.8% | Buy | 19.5x | 44 |
 MCDMcDonald's Corporation | $201.6B | $283.66 | $352.25 | +24.2% | Buy | 21.5x | 62 |
 YUMYum! Brands, Inc. | $43.5B | $157.28 | $174.38 | +10.9% | Hold | 23.3x | 51 |
Upside Potential Comparison
RRGBSHAKJACKBROSFRSHMCDTXRHYUMSee LOCO's True Return
Price is only half the story. See total return with reinvested dividends.
Launch CalculatorIs LOCO Undervalued?
DCF intrinsic value, peer multiples, and analyst estimates — see what the stock is really worth.
View ValuationCompare LOCO vs AMZN
Side-by-side business, growth, and profitability comparison vs Amazon.com, Inc..
Start ComparisonLOCO — Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the most common questions about buying LOCO stock.
What is the LOCO stock price target for 2026?
Wall Street's consensus price target for LOCO is $12.25, -9.3% from its current price of $13.51. The below-market target from 12 analysts suggests limited near-term appreciation.
Is LOCO a buy, sell, or hold?
LOCO has a consensus rating of "Hold" based on 12 Wall Street analysts. The rating breakdown is mixed, with 7 Hold ratings making up the largest segment. The consensus 12-month price target of $12.25 implies -9.3% downside from current levels.
Is LOCO stock overvalued or undervalued?
With a forward P/E of 13.9278x, LOCO trades at a relatively low valuation. The consensus target of $12.25 implies -9.3% move, suggesting the market may be pricing in risks.
How high can LOCO stock go?
The most bullish Wall Street analyst has a price target of $13.5 for LOCO, while the most conservative target is $11. The consensus of $12.25 represents the median expectation. These targets typically reflect 12-month expectations.
How many analysts cover LOCO stock?
LOCO is moderately covered, with 12 analysts providing price targets and ratings. Of these, 0 have Strong Buy ratings, 5 have Buy ratings, 7 recommend Hold, and 0 have Sell or Strong Sell ratings. Higher analyst coverage generally indicates greater institutional interest and more reliable consensus estimates.
What is the LOCO stock forecast?
The 12-month LOCO stock forecast based on 12 Wall Street analysts shows a consensus price target of $12.25, with estimates ranging from $11 (bear case) to $13.5 (bull case). The median consensus rating is "Hold".
What is LOCO's forward P/E ratio?
LOCO trades at a forward P/E ratio of 13.9x based on next-twelve-months earnings estimates compared to a trailing P/E of 15.0x. The lower forward P/E indicates analysts expect earnings growth. A forward P/E is useful for comparing valuations when earnings are expected to change significantly.
Should I buy LOCO stock?
Analysts are cautious on LOCO, with 0 Sell ratings and a price target of $12.25 (-9.3% from current price). The "Hold" consensus suggests careful evaluation before buying. This information is for educational purposes only. Always conduct your own research, consider your financial situation, and consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
Why do LOCO price targets vary so much?
LOCO analyst price targets range from $11 to $13.5, a 20% tight range reflecting strong analyst consensus. Differences stem from varying assumptions about revenue growth, profit margins, competitive dynamics, and valuation multiples. The $12.25 consensus represents the middle ground.