PortillosNASDAQ: PTLO

I recommend buying Portillo's stock due to its potential for a turnaround, driven by strategic expansion and improved margins despite recent poor performance. Portillo's plans to build out smaller store footprints to enhance profitability, and expand its store count by 10%+ annually. Despite a slowdown in same-store sales, Portillo's maintains strong operating metrics with high average unit volumes and competitive restaurant-level margins.

OAK BROOK, Ill., Oct. 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Portillo's Inc. (“Portillo's”) (Nasdaq: PTLO), the fast-casual restaurant concept known for its menu of Chicago-style favorites, today announced that it will report third quarter 2024 financial results on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, before the market opens.

Portillo's, a Midwest-based restaurant chain, is expanding nationally with a focus on regions with favorable demographics, particularly the Sunbelt. The company boasts high Average Unit Volumes and profitability. Portillo's aims to grow its restaurant count by 12%-15% annually, leveraging its proven unit economic model in markets outside Chicagoland.

Portillo's stock has performed poorly after the 2021 IPO as the significant, healthily performing expansion efforts have been capital heavy, causing high debt and dilution. Activist investor firm Engaged Capital, known for previous successful involvement in the restaurant industry, has taken a stake in Portillo's to turn the expansion strategy more agile. With more agile expansion, the stock could have finally seen its bottom as the potential strategic shift, suggested by Engaged Capital, creates an attractive investment case at the current level.

OAK BROOK, Ill., Aug. 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Portillo's Inc. (Nasdaq: PTLO) (“Portillo's” or the “Company”), the fast-casual restaurant concept known for its menu of Chicago-style favorites, today announced that CEO Michael Osanloo and CFO Michelle Hook will present and host investor meetings at the Piper Sandler Growth Frontiers Conference on September 10-11, 2024.

The restaurant chain, famed for its chocolate cake shakes and hot dogs, could be poised for a turnaround now that Engaged Capital is in the mix.

Activist investor Engaged Capital has built a big stake in struggling Chicago food chain Portillo's and is pushing management to make changes to how the business grows and runs, said people familiar with the matter. It's the first campaign Engaged has mounted in the "fast casual" sector since a successful effort at Shake Shack.

Portillo's has a loyal following and is opening new restaurants at a rapid rate.

Strategic Kiosk Rollout, in Partnership with Bite, Will Facilitate Faster Ordering, Shorter Lines, and Visual Menu Exploration to Enhance Guest,Team Member Experience CHICAGO , Aug. 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Portillo's Inc. (NASDAQ: PTLO), the fast-casual restaurant concept known for its menu of Chicago-style favorites, today announced that it is piloting kiosks in select restaurants. This strategic test represents a step forward in Portillo's ongoing commitment to embracing technology that will enhance the guest and Team Member experience, while optimizing operational efficiency.