El Pollo Loco: Why Buying After Earnings Could Get You A Better Deal (Earnings Preview)

  • El Pollo Loco remains cheap and undervalued, but California exposure and weak Q2 for Mexican QSRs create near-term headwinds. Casual dining is outperforming fast-casual and QSR segments, eroding fast-casual's value proposition and pricing power. California's negative same-store sales and political climate are disproportionately impacting Mexican restaurant chains like El Pollo Loco.