El Pollo Loco (LOCO) Q2 2026: how to test the consumer questions investors asked

El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: LOCO), the parent of El Pollo Loco, reported second-quarter 2026 results on Thursday, Aug 6, 2026. Investors asked four consumer questions. A fund can answer each with a Neon Blue study well before the next earnings call.

How can a fund test whether El Pollo Loco's Loco Tenders bring new guests and more occasions?

To test whether El Pollo Loco's Loco Tenders bring new guests and more occasions, a fund can run a Neon Blue incrementality study on recent guests and chicken buyers who have not tried the brand. Neon Blue returns trial source, purchase intent for a new product and late-day or snack intent by segment.

From the call. Management said Loco Tenders launched at the end of Q1, brought new guests who had not considered El Pollo Loco before, and broadened appeal beyond fire-grilled chicken loyalists. Tenders drove incrementality with a younger guest, portable and late-evening need states, and higher attach through delivery, with late evening described as about 8 to 10 p.m. Equipment tests are underway for a possible permanent menu slot. Management didn't say how much of the new-guest lift would hold if tenders rotate off.

The study

• Audience. US adults 18 and older who ate Mexican-inspired or fire-grilled chicken in the past 3 months. Split into El Pollo Loco tender buyers, other El Pollo Loco guests, and non-guests, cut by age.
• Questions to field.
  1. Have you tried El Pollo Loco's Loco Tenders? [Yes / No / Not sure]
  2. The last time you ordered them, what would you have done otherwise? [Ordered another El Pollo Loco item / Gone elsewhere / Eaten at home / I'd have come anyway]
  3. How likely are you to order tenders again in the next 30 days? [0 to 10]
  4. Which occasion fits tenders best for you? [Lunch / Afternoon snack / Dinner / Late evening / None]
  5. What made you try or skip Loco Tenders? Tell us in your own words.
• What comes back. Trial source, repeat intent and occasion mix by segment. Useful as a pre-earnings consumer check.
• Time to answer. Well before the next earnings call.

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How can a fund test whether El Pollo Loco loaded quesadillas win on portable value under $10?

To test whether El Pollo Loco loaded quesadillas win on portable value under $10, a fund can run a Neon Blue value and visit-intent study on handheld and on-the-go buyers. Neon Blue returns average ticket and basket size intent, combo take rate and whether the item substitutes for bowls or burritos.

From the call. Management said loaded quesadillas wrap citrus-marinated fire-grilled chopped chicken breast in a warm flour tortilla, priced under $10 a la carte or $10.99 for a combo with chips, salsa and a drink, with Loco Rewards members getting early access. Early guest response was called strong for handheld and on-the-go occasions. System-wide same-store sales were up 3.9% in Q2. Management didn't say how much of the July acceleration came from quesadillas versus media and sports moments.

The study

• Audience. US adults 18 and older who bought a handheld Mexican-inspired meal in the past 3 months. Cut by channel (drive-thru, dine-in, digital) and income.
• Questions to field (dollar steps are test levels you set).
  1. Have you tried El Pollo Loco's loaded quesadillas? [Yes / No / Not sure]
  2. Compared with other handhelds under $11, is the loaded quesadilla [A better value / About the same / Worse value]?
  3. If the a la carte price rose $1, what would you do? [Still buy / Switch to another El Pollo Loco item / Go elsewhere / Skip]
  4. Would you take the $10.99 combo? [Yes / No / Only with a Rewards deal]
  5. What would make you choose a loaded quesadilla over a burrito or bowl? Tell us in your own words.
• What comes back. Value perception and substitution by channel.
• Time to answer. Well before the next earnings call.

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How can a fund test whether Loco Rewards raises frequency and check among members?

To test whether Loco Rewards raises frequency and check among members, a fund can run a Neon Blue loyalty program engagement study on members vs non-members. Neon Blue returns visit lift from Loco Friday drops, Sunday family meals and segmented offers.

From the call. Management said digital sales were about 28% of system sales and up 13% year-over-year, and that Loco Rewards members visited about three times more annually than non-members, with loyalty check growth more than double non-loyalty guests. Everyday value tools include weekly Loco Friday drops and Sunday spreads on family chicken meals, plus early access and exclusive giveaways. LocoDay, a summer promotion with prizes and a VIP experience, launched in early Q3 with engagement above expectations. Management didn't say how much frequency depends on Friday drops versus base brand.

The study

• Audience. US adults 18 and older who used the El Pollo Loco app or Rewards in the past 3 months, plus recent non-member guests. Cut by visit frequency.
• Questions to field.
  1. How many times did you open the El Pollo Loco app in the past 30 days? [0 / 1 to 3 / 4 to 7 / 8 or more]
  2. Which offer most drove a visit recently? [Loco Friday drop / Sunday family meal / A segmented Rewards deal / Early menu access / None]
  3. If Rewards deals paused for a month, how would your visits change? [No change / A little less / A lot less / I'd stop]
  4. How likely are you to visit in the next 7 days? [0 to 10]
  5. Why do you stay in or skip Loco Rewards? Tell us in your own words.
• What comes back. Visit frequency and promotion sensitivity by member status.
• Time to answer. Well before the next earnings call.

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How can a fund test whether Chata coffee builds an afternoon pick-me-up daypart?

To test whether El Pollo Loco's Chata coffee lineup builds an afternoon pick-me-up daypart, a fund can run a Neon Blue daypart and beverage trial study. Neon Blue returns afternoon visit intent, attach to food, and interest in seasonal drinks such as pumpkin spice churro and caramel apple Chata coffee.

From the call. Management introduced a Chata coffee lineup featuring signature horchata iced coffee and cold foam, aimed at an afternoon pick-me-up and snacking occasion outside traditional mealtimes, and said beverages are just getting started with more innovation ahead, including pumpkin spice churro and caramel apple Chata coffee. Management didn't say what share of Chata buyers are incremental afternoon visits versus check-builders on existing trips.

The study

• Audience. US adults 18 and older who buy iced coffee or sweet beverages in the afternoon at least monthly. Split by El Pollo Loco guests vs non-guests.
• Questions to field.
  1. Have you tried El Pollo Loco's Chata coffee? [Yes / No / Not sure]
  2. How likely are you to stop at El Pollo Loco for an afternoon drink in the next 30 days? [0 to 10]
  3. Would you add food if you came for Chata coffee? [Yes a snack / Yes a meal / Drink only / I wouldn't come]
  4. Which next drink would most bring you in? [Pumpkin spice churro Chata / Caramel apple Chata / Classic horchata iced coffee / None]
  5. What would make El Pollo Loco your afternoon drink stop? Tell us in your own words.
• What comes back. Afternoon visit intent and food attach by segment, as a consumer channel check.
• Time to answer. Well before the next earnings call.

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How Neon Blue runs consumer studies for funds

Neon Blue runs studies on simulated audiences grounded in real people's data. A fund brings a question tied to one variable in its model and gets the answer back by segment. See consumer research for funds.

• Scoped to the variable. Each study is built around the audience and questions behind one model line. Neon Blue answers the consumer question, never the call on the stock.
• Simulated, and kept separate. Simulated answers are kept separate from real responses. Bring your own audience data, or add live follow-ups through the AI interviewer.
• Private. Client questions stay private and are never used for training. Neon Blue has completed a SOC 2 Type II audit.
• Cost. A consumer study costs a fraction of a round of expert calls.

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What to watch before El Pollo Loco's Q3 2026 call

• Tenders permanence. Holding-equipment tests for a permanent tenders slot. Test: repeat intent if tenders stay on menu.
• Fall LTOs. Double chicken burrito bowls, pumpkin spice churro and caramel apple Chata coffee. Test: trial and daypart intent.
• LocoDay and Rewards. Summer engagement and Friday or Sunday value drops. Test: member frequency.

FAQ

What consumer questions came out of El Pollo Loco's Q2 2026 earnings call?

Whether Loco Tenders bring new guests, whether loaded quesadillas win on portable value, whether Loco Rewards raises frequency and check, and whether Chata coffee builds an afternoon daypart. Each can be tested with a Neon Blue study.

How can I test Loco Tenders before El Pollo Loco reports Q3 2026?

Run a Neon Blue incrementality study on tender buyers, other guests and non-guests. You see whether the visit is new, stolen from another item or a trip that would have happened anyway.

How long does a Neon Blue study take?

A Neon Blue study comes back well before the next earnings call.

Does Neon Blue give a view on LOCO stock?

No. Neon Blue answers the consumer question behind a variable in your model. It doesn't make stock calls.