El Pollo Loco Poised to Benefit from 4.6% Dining Inflation via EATZ ETF
U.S. Department of Agriculture projects 2026 food-away-from-home prices will surge 4.6% while food-at-home costs rise 1.7%, with beef and veal up 9.4%. El Pollo Loco is a core holding in the actively managed EATZ ETF, which carries a 0.99% expense ratio and 0.48% dividend yield.
1. USDA Projects 4.6% Dining-Inflation
In its 2026 Food Price Outlook, the U.S. Department of Agriculture forecasts food-away-from-home costs to climb 4.6% versus a 1.7% rise for food-at-home, with beef and veal prices expected to increase 9.4%, intensifying pricing power for dining-out operators.
2. El Pollo Loco’s Position in EATZ ETF
El Pollo Loco represents a meaningful holding in the AdvisorShares Restaurant ETF (EATZ), an actively managed fund launched in April 2021; the ETF carries a 0.99% expense ratio and yields 0.48%, offering investors diversified fast-food exposure tied to rising dining costs.