Dine Brands Global (DIN) vs El Pollo Loco (LOCO)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
El Pollo Loco (LOCO) has outperformed Dine Brands Global (DIN) over the past year, gaining 58.0% versus a gain of 7.9%. Over five years, LOCO leads with a -4.9% price change compared with -63.8% for DIN. El Pollo Loco is the larger company by market cap ($454.7 million vs $373.1 million), about 1.2 times the size.
On valuation, Dine Brands Global trades at a lower forward P/E (6.1x vs 13.5x for El Pollo Loco). Dine Brands Global pays a dividend yielding 3.66%, while El Pollo Loco does not currently pay one.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | DIN | LOCO |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $29.47 | $14.94 |
| Market cap | $373.07M | $454.67M |
| 1-day change | +1.76% | +2.12% |
| YTD return | -9.89% | +39.87% |
| 1-year return | +7.86% | +57.99% |
| 5-year return | -63.85% | -4.94% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 48.31 | 12.77 |
| Forward P/E | 6.12 | 13.50 |
| EPS (TTM) | $0.61 | $1.17 |
| Dividend yield | 3.66% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $1.08 | $0.00 |
| 52-week high | $39.68 | $17.40 |
| 52-week low | $23.23 | $8.99 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -25.73% | -14.14% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | none |
| Avg. price target upside | +23.28% | +35.88% |
| Average volume | 370.85K | 230.59K |
| Shares outstanding | 12.66M | 30.43M |
| Employees | — | 4,000 |
| Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Consumer Discretionary |
| Industry | Restaurants | Restaurants |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- LOCO has outperformed DIN by 50.1 percentage points over the past year.
- Dine Brands Global trades at a higher earnings multiple (48.3x vs 12.8x trailing P/E).
- Dine Brands Global offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (3.66% vs 0.00%).
About Dine Brands Global
DIN stock →Dine Brands Global, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, owns, franchises, and operates restaurants in the United States and internationally. It operates through three segments: Franchise, Company-owned restaurants, and Rental.
Consumer Discretionary · Restaurants
About El Pollo Loco
LOCO stock →El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc., through its subsidiary, El Pollo Loco, Inc., develops, franchises, licenses, and operates quick-service restaurants under the El Pollo Loco name. The company operates and franchises restaurants located in California, Nevada, Arizona, Texas, Colorado, Utah, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Washington.
Consumer Discretionary · Restaurants · 4,000 employees
DIN vs LOCO FAQ
Which is bigger, Dine Brands Global or El Pollo Loco?
El Pollo Loco (LOCO) is larger, with a market capitalization of $454.67M compared with $373.07M for Dine Brands Global (DIN).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, DIN or LOCO?
LOCO returned +57.99% over the past 12 months, compared with +7.86% for DIN (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, DIN or LOCO?
LOCO has the lower trailing P/E at 12.8, versus 48.3 for DIN. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Dine Brands Global or El Pollo Loco?
Dine Brands Global pays a dividend yielding 3.66%, while El Pollo Loco does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Dine Brands Global and El Pollo Loco in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Restaurants industry within the Consumer Discretionary sector.