El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. (LOCO) vs Nathan's Famous, Inc. (NATH)
A side-by-side comparison of El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. and Nathan's Famous, 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.
$14.49Consumer CyclicalDelayed quote: Oct 6, 2026, 11:44 AM EDT
NATH
Nathan's Famous, Inc.
$101.71Consumer CyclicalDelayed quote: Oct 6, 2026, 11:44 AM EDT
Total return — LOCO vs NATH
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yLOCO +41.6% (+3.5%/yr)NATH +138.9% (+9.1%/yr)NATH compounded faster over this window
LOCO NATH
LOCO vs NATH: by the numbers
- •LOCO is the larger company ($441M vs $417M market cap).
- •LOCO trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (12.39 vs 21.06 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •NATH converts more revenue to profit (11.78% vs 6.96% net margin).
- •NATH grew revenue faster over the past five years (13.57% vs 2.11% CAGR).
- •NATH pays a dividend (0.98% yield), while LOCO is a former payer with no current dividend run rate.
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | LOCO | NATH |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 12.39 | 21.06 |
| Forward P/E | 14.12 | N/A |
| PEG ratio | 2.15 | 1.68 |
| P/S ratio | 0.88 | 2.46 |
| P/B ratio | 1.39 | N/A |
| EV / EBITDA | 9.29 | 14.33 |
| FCF yield | 9.29% | 4.58% |
Profitability
| Metric | LOCO | NATH |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 28.32% | 28.95% |
| Operating margin | 10.58% | 17.73% |
| Net margin | 6.96% | 11.78% |
| ROE | 11.00% | N/A |
| ROIC | 7.04% | 47.14% |
Dividends
| Metric | LOCO | NATH |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | N/A | 0.98% |
| Payout ratio | N/A | 20.70% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | LOCO | NATH |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 2.11% | 13.57% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 5.39% | 12.69% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | -5.56% | 17.96% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | -0.27% | 13.06% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, LOCO or NATH?
- LOCO has the lower trailing P/E: LOCO trades at 12.39 and NATH at 21.06. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, LOCO or NATH?
- Over the past five years, NATH grew revenue faster — LOCO at a 2.11% CAGR versus NATH at 13.57%.
- Does LOCO or NATH pay a bigger dividend?
- NATH pays a dividend (0.98% yield), while LOCO is a former payer with no current dividend run rate.
- Is LOCO or NATH more profitable?
- NATH runs the higher net margin — LOCO at 6.96% versus NATH at 11.78%.
- How have LOCO and NATH total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, LOCO delivered 3.38% and NATH delivered 8.68% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
El Pollo Loco P/E ratioNathan's Famous P/E ratioNathan's Famous dividend yieldEl Pollo Loco ROENathan's Famous ROEEl Pollo Loco operating marginNathan's Famous operating marginEl Pollo Loco revenue growthNathan's Famous revenue growthEl Pollo Loco free cash flowNathan's Famous free cash flow
El Pollo Loco & Nathan's Famous 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.