El Pollo Loco Teams Up with Arike Ogunbowale to Support School Sports
El Pollo Loco is teaming up with women's basketball superstar Arike Ogunbowale to support school sports teams across the country through its Foundation's "Bring the Fire" contest. Through the contest, funded by the El Pollo Loco Foundation, five school sports teams will each receive $2,000 toward helping the team refresh their gear, equipment and/or facilities to continue building strong athletic programs. The contest is now live nationwide and runs through February 19, 2026, with winners announced mid-March 2026 on El Pollo Loco's Instagram.
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El Pollo Loco Launches Double Pollo Salads with 52g Protein Each
- New Product Launch: El Pollo Loco introduces Double Pollo Salads featuring 52 grams of protein each, aimed at meeting consumer demand for healthy yet flavorful meals, thereby enhancing brand appeal and driving sales growth.
- Flavor Variety: The new salads come in three flavors—Mexican Caesar, Street Corn, and Bacon Ranch—combining premium ingredients and unique seasonings to attract diverse customer preferences and enhance market competitiveness.
- Market Expansion: Operating over 500 restaurants in the U.S. and with licensed locations in the Philippines, El Pollo Loco leverages this new product to further solidify its leadership in the fast-casual healthy dining sector.
- Brand Commitment: The company emphasizes high-quality, healthy dining options and has been recognized as a “Best Restaurant for Quick, Healthy Food” for two consecutive years, which not only boosts brand image but also strengthens customer loyalty.
Stock to Watch: Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG) Faces Bearish Sentiment
Chipotle's Current Performance: Chipotle Mexican Grill is facing challenges with slowing same-store sales growth, margin pressure, and declining analyst estimates, leading to a Zacks Rank of #5 (Strong Sell). The company reported Q3 adjusted EPS of $0.29, slightly above expectations, but revenue fell short at $3.00 billion.
Market and Operational Challenges: The stock has dropped 35% this year, with macroeconomic pressures affecting younger consumers, who represent a significant portion of sales. Chipotle has lowered its full-year same-store sales guidance, indicating near-term transaction headwinds despite ongoing restaurant expansion.
Future Outlook and Initiatives: While Chipotle is investing in marketing, menu innovation, and operational efficiency initiatives, the benefits are expected to accrue over time, leaving margins under pressure in the short term. Analysts have reduced earnings estimates for the upcoming quarters, reflecting a negative trend for the company.
Investment Recommendations: Investors are advised to consider taking profits amid the stock's recent rally, with potential resistance at the 50-day moving average. For those looking at fast casual dining stocks, El Pollo Loco is highlighted as a stronger investment option, currently rated as a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).
