El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. (LOCO) vs Malibu Boats, Inc. (MBUU)
A side-by-side comparison of El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. and Malibu Boats, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of October 6, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
LOCO
El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc.
$14.44Consumer CyclicalDelayed quote: Oct 6, 2026, 1:49 PM EDT
MBUU
Malibu Boats, Inc.
$23.20Consumer CyclicalDelayed quote: Oct 6, 2026, 1:50 PM EDT
Total return — LOCO vs MBUU
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yLOCO +35.1% (+3.1%/yr)MBUU +57.2% (+4.6%/yr)MBUU compounded faster over this window
LOCO MBUU
LOCO vs MBUU: by the numbers
- •MBUU is the larger company ($456M vs $440M market cap).
- •LOCO trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (12.34 vs 314.78 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •LOCO converts more revenue to profit (6.96% vs 0.18% net margin).
- •LOCO grew revenue faster over the past five years (2.11% vs -0.26% CAGR).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | LOCO | MBUU |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 12.34 | 314.78 |
| Forward P/E | 14.06 | N/A |
| PEG ratio | 2.14 | N/A |
| P/S ratio | 0.88 | 0.50 |
| P/B ratio | 1.39 | 0.87 |
| EV / EBITDA | 9.27 | 11.61 |
| FCF yield | 9.33% | 9.40% |
Profitability
| Metric | LOCO | MBUU |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 28.32% | 15.65% |
| Operating margin | 10.58% | 0.34% |
| Net margin | 6.96% | 0.18% |
| ROE | 11.00% | 0.32% |
| ROIC | 7.04% | 0.28% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | LOCO | MBUU |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 2.11% | -0.26% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 5.39% | -57.46% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | -5.56% | -15.70% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | -0.27% | -20.52% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, LOCO or MBUU?
- LOCO has the lower trailing P/E: LOCO trades at 12.34 and MBUU at 314.78. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, LOCO or MBUU?
- Over the past five years, LOCO grew revenue faster — LOCO at a 2.11% CAGR versus MBUU at -0.26%.
- Is LOCO or MBUU more profitable?
- LOCO runs the higher net margin — LOCO at 6.96% versus MBUU at 0.18%.
- How have LOCO and MBUU total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, LOCO delivered 3.38% and MBUU delivered 4.30% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
El Pollo Loco P/E ratioMalibu Boats P/E ratioEl Pollo Loco ROEMalibu Boats ROEEl Pollo Loco operating marginMalibu Boats operating marginEl Pollo Loco revenue growthMalibu Boats revenue growthEl Pollo Loco free cash flowMalibu Boats free cash flow
El Pollo Loco & Malibu Boats appear in these rankings
Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified October 6, 2026.