El Pollo Loco

Costa Mesa, United States Founded: 1975 • Age: 51 yrs Acquired By Trimaran Capital Partners
Restaurant chain operator in the US and Mexico

About El Pollo Loco

El Pollo Loco is a company based in Costa Mesa (United States) founded in 1975 was acquired by Trimaran Capital Partners in September 2005.. The company has 4,140 employees as of December 31, 2024. El Pollo Loco offers products and services including Fire-Grilled Chicken, Burritos, Tostadas, and Double Pollo Fit Bowls. El Pollo Loco operates in a competitive market with competitors including Burger King, Wingstop, First Watch, Cracker Barrel and Buffalo Wild Wings, among others.

  • Headquarter Costa Mesa, United States
  • Employees 4140 as on 31 Dec, 2024
  • Stage Public
  • Sectors
    Consumer
  • Phone
    *********
  • Website
    *********
  • Social
    *********
  • Legal Name El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc.
Operational Areas
Consumer → Food, Beverage & Nutrition
Key Metrics
  • Annual Revenue
    $473.01 M
    0.93
    as on Dec 31, 2024
  • Net Profit
    $25.68 M
    0.51
    as on Dec 31, 2024
  • EBITDA
    $58.13 M
    10.38
    as on Dec 31, 2024
  • Latest Funding Round
  • Investors
  • Employee Count
    4140

    as on Dec 31, 2024

  • Acquired by
    Trimaran Capital Partners

    & 1 more

    (Sep 28, 2005)

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IPO & Listings of El Pollo Loco

El Pollo Loco is a publicly listed company on the NASDAQ with ticker symbol LOCO in USA, operating in the Consumer services sector. As a publicly traded entity, the company provides investors with opportunities to participate in its growth story through equity ownership. The listing enables access to capital markets, enhances corporate visibility, and provides liquidity for shareholders while maintaining transparency through regulatory compliance and regular financial disclosures.

Exchange: NASDAQ · Ticker: LOCO . Sector: Consumer services · USA

Products & Services of El Pollo Loco

El Pollo Loco offers a comprehensive portfolio of products and services, including Fire-Grilled Chicken, Burritos, Tostadas, and Double Pollo Fit Bowls. The company's diverse product and service offerings are designed to meet the evolving needs of its customers, address market demands, and provide comprehensive solutions that drive value creation and customer satisfaction across various segments and use cases.

Primary

Citrus-marinated chicken grilled over an open flame for fresh meals.

Filled wraps with grilled chicken and ingredients for quick eating.

Crisp shells topped with chicken and fresh toppings for flavorful bites.

Protein-rich bowls with grilled chicken to meet nutritional needs.

People of El Pollo Loco
Headcount 1-10
Employee Profiles 58
Employee Profiles
People
Elizabeth Liz Williams
CEO
People
Kathy Jouneghani
Sr. Director Finance
People
Olivia Ross
Director Of Growth & Digital Innovation
People
Rick Pepper
Vice President, Operations Services & Training

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Funding Insights of El Pollo Loco

  • Total Funding
  • Total Rounds 1
  • Last Round
  • First Round
  • Investors Count 1
Date Amount Transaction Name Valuation Lead Investors Investors
Dec, 2007 Amount Private Equity Round - El Pollo Loco Valuation

investors

Date Amount Transaction Name Valuation Lead Investors Investors
Jul, 2021 Amount Post-IPO - Grab Valuation

investors

Feb, 2021 Amount Post-IPO - Grab Valuation

investors

Jan, 2021 Amount Post-IPO - Grab Valuation

investors

Feb, 2021 Amount Post-IPO - Grab Valuation

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Investors in El Pollo Loco

El Pollo Loco has secured backing from 3 investors, including venture fund and institutional investors. Prominent investors backing the company include American Securities, Freeman Spogli and Trimaran Capital Partners. This diverse investor base provides strategic capital, industry expertise, and valuable network connections that support the company's growth initiatives, market expansion, and long-term value creation.

All
Venture Fund
Institutional
Investor Description Founded Year Domain Location
North American private equity investments are managed by Freeman Spogli.
Founded Year Domain Location
Private equity firm
Founded Year Domain Location
-
Founded Year Domain Location
Investor Description Founded Year Domain Location
Single family office of Amitabh Bachchan, founder of Amitabh Bachchan Corporation or AB CORP
Founded Year Domain Location
Startup ecosystems are ignited through strategic investments by Signite Partners.
Founded Year Domain Location
Venture capital is directed toward companies in multiple sectors.
Founded Year Domain Location
Venture capital is invested in cybersecurity, fintech, and AI startups.
Founded Year Domain Location

Investments & Acquisitions by El Pollo Loco

Investments
Company Name Description Domain Location Founded Year Amount
Bionic investment advisor platform
2016
Fine Asian gourmet food is offered by an internet-first restaurant.
2016
Physical e-commerce kiosks are deployed for rural purchases in Indonesia.
2014
Fine Asian gourmet food is offered by an internet-first restaurant.
2016

Financial Statements - El Pollo Loco

Tata Steel revenue growth over time
Tata Steel profit and loss trends over time
Date Amount Transaction Name Valuation Lead Investors Investors
Jul, 2021 Amount Post-IPO - Grab Valuation

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Feb, 2021 Amount Post-IPO - Grab Valuation

investors

Jan, 2021 Amount Post-IPO - Grab Valuation

investors

Feb, 2021 Amount Post-IPO - Grab Valuation

investors

El Pollo Loco Comparisons

Employees
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Competitors of El Pollo Loco

El Pollo Loco operates in a dynamic and competitive business environment, facing competition from various established players and emerging companies in the market. The competitive landscape includes prominent companies such as Burger King, Wingstop, First Watch, Cracker Barrel and Buffalo Wild Wings, among others. This competitive environment drives innovation, market differentiation, and strategic positioning as companies strive to capture market share and deliver value to their customers. Understanding the competitive dynamics is crucial for assessing market positioning, identifying growth opportunities, and navigating the challenges inherent in a competitive marketplace.

Company Name Domain Founded year HQ Location Description
domain founded_year HQ Location
Burgers and fast food are served by a restaurant chain.
domain founded_year HQ Location
Chicken wings are served by a chain of restaurants nationwide.
domain founded_year HQ Location
A chain of limited-service restaurants is operated nationwide.
domain founded_year HQ Location
A chain of limited-service restaurants is operated nationwide.
domain founded_year HQ Location
Restaurant chain with signature chicken wings based in USA
domain founded_year HQ Location
Quick-service restaurant brands are operated on a global scale.
Company Name Domain Founded year HQ Location Description
domain founded_year HQ Location
Multiple services are booked via an app-based platform.
domain founded_year HQ Location
On-demand services are booked through an app-based platform.
domain founded_year HQ Location
App based platform offering on demand delivery and ride-hailing services
domain founded_year HQ Location
Operates an on-demand hyperlocal delivery app for food and groceries.

Latest news on El Pollo Loco

Frequently Asked Questions about El Pollo Loco

When was El Pollo Loco founded?

El Pollo Loco was founded in 1975 and raised its 1st funding round 32 years after it was founded.

Where is El Pollo Loco located?

El Pollo Loco is headquartered in Costa Mesa, United States. It is registered at Costa Mesa, California, United States.

How many employees does El Pollo Loco have?

As of Dec 31, 2024, the latest employee count at El Pollo Loco is 4,140.

What is the annual revenue of El Pollo Loco?

Annual revenue of El Pollo Loco is $473.01M as on Dec 31, 2024.

What does El Pollo Loco do?

El Pollo Loco is a restaurant chain operator. They are well known for their Mexican-style grilled chicken. They operate two independent chains in the US (El Pollo Loco, Inc) and Mexico (El Pollo Loco, S.A. de C.V). The chain was started by Juan Francisco Ochoa in 1975. They also offer catering services. In 1983, Dennys acquired the American operations of El Pollo Loco. When Dennys got acquired by TW Services in 1987, El Pollo Loco, Inc became a subsidiary of TW Services. American Securities Capital Partners acquired the American chain in 1999 for 114M and further sold it to Trimaran Capital Partners in 2005 for 400M. They were publicly listed on NASDAQ in July 2014. After the sale of the American operation Ochoa, the founder, had focussed mainly on the Mexican chain.

Who are the top competitors of El Pollo Loco?

El Pollo Loco's top competitors include Burger King, Cracker Barrel and Buffalo Wild Wings.

What products or services does El Pollo Loco offer?

El Pollo Loco offers Fire-Grilled Chicken, Burritos, Tostadas, and Double Pollo Fit Bowls.

Is El Pollo Loco publicly traded?

Yes, El Pollo Loco is publicly traded on NASDAQ under the ticker symbol LOCO.

Who are El Pollo Loco's investors?

El Pollo Loco has 3 investors. Key investors include American Securities, Freeman Spogli, and Trimaran Capital Partners.

What is El Pollo Loco's ticker symbol?

The ticker symbol of El Pollo Loco is LOCO on NASDAQ.

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