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Dec 25, 2019

El Pollo Loco Q4 2019 Earnings Report

El Pollo Loco reported Q4 2019 financial results, showing increased revenue and net income compared to the previous year.

Key Takeaways

El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. announced positive financial results for the fourth quarter of 2019, with total revenue increasing to $107.5 million and system-wide comparable restaurant sales growing by 3.9%. Net income turned positive at $3.5 million, a significant improvement from the net loss of $23.4 million in the same period last year. The company's performance was driven by factors such as culinary innovation, successful promotions, and expansion of delivery capabilities.

Total revenue increased to $107.5 million from $106.3 million.

System-wide comparable restaurant sales increased by 3.9%.

Net income was $3.5 million, a significant improvement from the previous year's net loss of $23.4 million.

Pro forma net income was $6.2 million, or $0.18 per diluted share.

Total Revenue
$108M
Previous year: $106M
+1.2%
EPS
$0.18
Previous year: $0.16
+12.5%
System-Wide Comp Sales
3.9%
0
Company-Operated Comp Sales
4.3%
Franchised Comp Sales
3.6%
Gross Profit
$23.4M
Previous year: $23.3M
+0.7%
Cash and Equivalents
$8.07M
Previous year: $6.97M
+15.8%
Free Cash Flow
-$351K
Previous year: -$3.25M
-89.2%
Total Assets
$625M
Previous year: $450M
+38.8%

El Pollo Loco

El Pollo Loco

Forward Guidance

El Pollo Loco provided earnings guidance for fiscal year 2020, expecting pro forma diluted net income per share ranging from $0.75 to $0.80.

Positive Outlook

  • System-wide comparable restaurant sales growth of approximately 2.0% to 4.0%
  • The opening of 3-4 new company-owned restaurants and 5-8 new franchised restaurants
  • Restaurant contribution margin of 18.0% to 18.7%
  • G&A expenses of between 8.5% and 8.8% of total revenue excluding legal fees related to securities related litigation
  • Pro forma income tax rate of 26.5%