El Pollo Loco to Expand in Texas with Dallas Unit Openings - Analyst Blog

Zacks Equity Research

Updated Tue, May 26, 2015, 2:05 PM

El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. (LOCO), the Californian chicken chain, is looking to aggressively expand in the Texas region. The company has collaborated with Chicken Time Holdings LP — an affiliate of Dallas-based Henry Investment Group — to open restaurants in Dallas. Per the agreement, the company will develop seven restaurants over the next four years in Dallas, North Texas with the first outlet scheduled to open in the first half of 2016.

El Pollo Loco’s expansion strategy comes at a time when Mexican-style restaurants are enjoying immense popularity among U.S. diners. The company appeals to both fast-food and fast casual markets, and is looking to tap into the extremely profitable Dallas market.

The brand's famous fire-grilled chicken, along with items like salads, sandwiches, burritos, tacos and quesadillas, are made with fresh ingredients. This makes the company immensely popular among health conscious diners. In fact, consumers are demanding – and willing to pay more – for higher quality and healthier food.

El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. LOCO, the Californian chicken chain, is looking to aggressively expand in the Texas region. The company has collaborated with Chicken Time Holdings LP — an affiliate of Dallas-based Henry Investment Group — to open restaurants in Dallas. Per the agreement, the company will develop seven restaurants over the next four years in Dallas, North Texas, with the first outlet scheduled to open in the first half of 2016.

This fire-roasted chicken specialist company began trading in Jul 2014 and has reported results for four quarters since then. The company posted positive comps in all the reported quarters. The company’s fresh handcrafted Mexican inspired cuisine increased the average check size and traffic. Menu innovation and limited time offers have been contributing to the comps.

El Pollo Loco currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Some better-ranked stocks in the restaurant industry are BJ's Restaurants, Inc. BJRI, Zoe's Kitchen, Inc. ZOES and Ruby Tuesday, Inc. RT. All these stocks sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).

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BJ'S RESTAURANT (BJRI): Free Stock Analysis Report

RUBY TUESDAY (RT): Free Stock Analysis Report

ZOES KITCHEN (ZOES): Free Stock Analysis Report

EL POLLO LOCO (LOCO): Free Stock Analysis Report

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El Pollo Loco to Expand in Texas with Dallas Unit Openings - Analyst Blog

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