Every material Form 8-K El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. has filed with the SEC since August 06, 2026, read and summarized by AI: what happened, the key figures, whether it reads positive or negative for shareholders, and how big a deal it is (impact 1-5). Newest first; each brief links to its own page and to the filing on SEC.gov.
El Pollo Loco reported third quarter 2026 results, with total revenue up to $126.3 million from $121.5 million and comparable restaurant sales up 5.0% system-wide. Net income fell to $6.9 million, or $0.23 per diluted share, from $7.4 million, or $0.25 a year earlier, as income from operations declined to $10.2 million from $11.5 million. The company updated its 2026 comparable restaurant sales growth expectation to approximately 4.5% and reiterated its adjusted EBITDA range of $68 million to $70 million.
Total revenue $126.3 million vs. $121.5 million; net income $6.9 million vs. $7.4 million
Adjusted net income $7.3 million, or $0.24 per diluted share, vs. $7.8 million, or $0.27 a year earlier
Adjusted EBITDA $17.1 million vs. $17.4 million; restaurant contribution margin 18.4% vs. 18.3%
2026 outlook: comparable restaurant sales growth of about 4.5%; adjusted EBITDA $68 million to $70 million reiterated
El Pollo Loco Holdings appointed Damon Thomas as Chief Operating Officer, effective September 21, 2026, reporting directly to CEO Elizabeth Williams. His offer letter sets a $425,000 base salary, a target bonus of 75% of base salary, and a minimum 2026 bonus of $225,000, which adds to the company's executive compensation costs.
Thomas, age 49, was previously Senior Vice President, Operations at Shake Shack Enterprises from August 2023 to September 2026.
Offer letter includes a $425,000 annual base salary, a 75% target cash bonus, and a $25,000 sign-on bonus.
Beginning in 2027, he is eligible for an annual equity award with a grant date value of about $400,000; a one-time grant of about $500,000 is also planned.
Severance is generally 12 months of continued base salary if terminated without cause or if he resigns for good reason.
El Pollo Loco reported second-quarter 2026 results for the 13 weeks ended July 1, 2026, with total revenue of $129.6 million, up from $125.8 million, and net income of $12.8 million, or $0.43 per diluted share, up from $7.1 million, or $0.24. The company also raised its fiscal 2026 adjusted EBITDA outlook to $68 million to $70 million, which shareholders will weigh against the $6.3 million legal settlement that helped lower general and administrative expenses this quarter.
System-wide comparable restaurant sales rose 3.9%; company-operated comparable sales rose 3.0%, driven by a 4.2% increase in average check and a 1.1% decrease in transactions.
Adjusted net income was $8.9 million, or $0.30 per diluted share, compared with $8.2 million, or $0.28 per diluted share, a year earlier.
Fiscal 2026 outlook: system-wide comparable sales growth of 3.5% to 4.5%, adjusted EBITDA of $68 million to $70 million, and capital spending of $33 million to $37 million.
As of July 29, 2026, outstanding borrowings under the credit facility were $26.0 million; on August 4, 2026, the facility was amended to extend its term to August 4, 2031.
Briefs are written by AI from the filing text and can contain mistakes — open the filing before acting on anything. Impact (1-5) and tone are the AI's reading of the filing for shareholders, not a price forecast. Not investment advice.
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