Jack In The Box (JACK) 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 Jack In The Box (JACK) over the past year, gaining 58.0% versus a loss of 35.9%. Over five years, LOCO leads with a -4.9% price change compared with -87.5% for JACK. El Pollo Loco is the larger company by market cap ($450.4 million vs $236.3 million), about 1.9 times the size.
On valuation, Jack In The Box trades at a lower forward P/E (3.9x vs 13.4x for El Pollo Loco).
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 | JACK | LOCO |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $12.32 | $14.80 |
| Market cap | $236.29M | $450.41M |
| 1-day change | +0.49% | +1.16% |
| YTD return | -35.30% | +39.87% |
| 1-year return | -35.88% | +57.99% |
| 5-year return | -87.49% | -4.94% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 4.43 | 12.65 |
| Forward P/E | 3.87 | 13.37 |
| EPS (TTM) | $2.78 | $1.17 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| 52-week high | $23.86 | $17.40 |
| 52-week low | $8.92 | $8.99 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -48.37% | -14.94% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | none |
| Avg. price target upside | +61.69% | +37.16% |
| Average volume | 687.95K | 230.59K |
| Shares outstanding | 19.18M | 30.43M |
| Employees | 1,316 | 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 JACK by 93.9 percentage points over the past year.
- El Pollo Loco trades at a higher earnings multiple (12.6x vs 4.4x trailing P/E).
About Jack In The Box
JACK stock →Jack in the Box Inc., together with its subsidiaries, develops, operates, and franchises quick-service restaurants (QSR) in the United States. It operates through Jack in the Box and Del Taco segments.
Consumer Discretionary · Restaurants · 1,316 employees
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
JACK vs LOCO FAQ
Which is bigger, Jack In The Box or El Pollo Loco?
El Pollo Loco (LOCO) is larger, with a market capitalization of $450.41M compared with $236.29M for Jack In The Box (JACK).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, JACK or LOCO?
LOCO returned +57.99% over the past 12 months, compared with -35.88% for JACK (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, JACK or LOCO?
JACK has the lower trailing P/E at 4.4, versus 12.6 for LOCO. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Are Jack In The Box and El Pollo Loco in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Restaurants industry within the Consumer Discretionary sector.