Portillo’s Inc. Announces First Quarter 2026 Financial Results

OAK BROOK, Ill., May 05, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Portillo’s Inc. (“Portillo’s” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: PTLO), the one-of-a-kind restaurant concept known for its menu of Chicago-style favorites, today reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 29, 2026.

First Quarter 2026 Performance Highlights (vs. First Quarter 2025):

• Total revenue of $182.6 million, an increase of 3.5% or $6.2 million

• Same-restaurant sales decrease of -0.1%

• Operating income of $4.5 million, a decrease of $5.9 million

• Net loss of $0.5 million, a decrease of $4.5 million from net income of $4.0 million

• Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA⁽¹⁾ of $34.8 million, a decrease of $1.8 million

• Adjusted EBITDA⁽¹⁾ of $18.5 million, a decrease of $2.8 million

(1) Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP measures. Please see definitions and the reconciliations of these non-GAAP measures accompanying this release.

“My first couple of months as CEO of Portillo’s have been productive and encouraging, and our team is making progress in identifying the priorities that will drive our growth strategy,” said Brett Patterson, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Our focus is on building a sustainable, long-term plan centered on three priorities: consistently great operations, an integrated marketing strategy, and a disciplined development strategy that creates compelling shareholder value. I’m optimistic about Portillo’s future and look forward to sharing more as our plan takes shape.”

First Quarter 2026 Financial and Operating Results

Revenues for the quarter ended March 29, 2026 were $182.6 million compared to $176.4 million for the quarter ended March 30, 2025, an increase of $6.2 million or 3.5%. The increase in revenues was primarily attributed to the opening of eight restaurants in fiscal 2025 and four restaurants during the quarter ended March 29, 2026, partially offset by a decrease in our same-restaurant sales. Restaurants not in our Comparable Restaurant Base (as defined below) contributed $7.7 million of the total year-over-year increase. Same-restaurant sales decreased 0.1%, or $0.2 million in the quarter. The same-restaurant sales decline was attributable to a decrease in average check of 0.9%, partially offset by an increase in transactions of 0.8%. The lower average check was driven by an approximate 1.0% decrease in product mix, partially offset by a 0.1% increase in certain menu prices, net of increased promotional offers. For the purpose of calculating same-restaurant sales for the quarter ended March 29, 2026, sales for 83 restaurants that were open for at least 24 full fiscal periods were included in the Comparable Restaurant Base.

Total restaurant operating expenses for the quarter ended March 29, 2026 were $147.8 million compared to $139.8 million for the quarter ended March 30, 2025, an increase of $8.0 million or 5.7%. The increase was primarily driven by the opening of eight restaurants in fiscal 2025 and four restaurants during the quarter ended March 29, 2026. Additionally, a 1.8% increase in commodity prices negatively impacted food, beverage, and packaging costs. The increase in labor expense was driven by incremental investments to support our team members. Lastly, the increase in other operating expenses was primarily driven by the aforementioned opening of new restaurants, and an increase in repairs and maintenance, operating supplies, and insurance expense, partially offset by lower cleaning expenses.

General and administrative expenses for the quarter ended March 29, 2026 were $20.4 million compared to $18.9 million for the quarter ended March 30, 2025, an increase of $1.5 million or 7.7%. This increase was primarily driven by higher equity‑based compensation and an increase in advertising and professional fees, including $0.5 million of dead site costs. The increase was partially offset by lower vacation-related wage expense, software licensing and legal expenses.

Operating income for the quarter ended March 29, 2026 was $4.5 million compared to $10.4 million for the quarter ended March 30, 2025, a decrease of $5.9 million or 56.7% as higher revenue was more than offset by the aforementioned expense factors.

Net loss for the quarter ended March 29, 2026 was $0.5 million compared to a net income of $4.0 million for the quarter ended March 30, 2025, a decrease of $4.5 million or 112.8%. The decrease in net income was primarily due to a decrease in operating income of $5.9 million due to the aforementioned factors, partially offset by a decrease in income taxes of $1.5 million.

Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA* for the quarter ended March 29, 2026 was $34.8 million compared to $36.7 million for the quarter ended March 30, 2025, a decrease of $1.8 million or 4.9%.

Adjusted EBITDA* for the quarter ended March 29, 2026 was $18.5 million compared to $21.2 million for the quarter ended March 30, 2025, a decrease of $2.8 million or 13.0%.

*A reconciliation of Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA and the nearest GAAP financial measure is included under “Non-GAAP Measures” in the accompanying financial data below.

Development Highlights

During the quarter ended March 29, 2026, we opened four restaurants. Subsequent to March 29, 2026, we opened one additional restaurant, bringing our total restaurant count to 107, as of the filing of this press release, including a restaurant owned by C&O, of which Portillo’s owns 50% of the equity. We plan to open three additional restaurants in the remainder of fiscal 2026, including our first airport location at Dallas–Fort Worth International Airport and our second in-line location which will be in Chicago.

Below are the restaurants opened thus far in fiscal 2026:

Fiscal 2026 Financial Targets

Based on current expectations, fiscal 2026 outlook is as follows:

*We are unable to reconcile the financial target for adjusted EBITDA and restaurant-level adjusted EBITDA margin to net income/loss growth and operating income/loss margin, the respective corresponding U.S. GAAP measure, due to variability and difficulty in making accurate forecasts and projections and because not all information necessary to prepare the reconciliation is available to us without unreasonable efforts. For the same reasons, we are unable to address the probable significance of the unavailable information because we cannot accurately predict all of the components of the adjusted calculations and the non-GAAP measure may be materially different than the GAAP measure.

Chief Financial Officer Departure

Michelle Hook, Chief Financial Officer, will depart Portillo’s to pursue another opportunity, effective today, May 5, 2026. Since joining Portillo’s in 2020, she has led the Company’s financial function, helping drive a period of meaningful growth, including playing an important role in the Company’s 2021 IPO and expansion into new markets.

The Board has initiated a search for her successor and is focused on identifying a strategic leader with a demonstrated track record of delivering strong results and leading the finance function within high-growth brands to support the Company’s next phase of growth.

The following definitions apply to these terms as used in this release:

Change in Same-Restaurant Sales - The change in same-restaurant sales is the percentage change in year-over-year revenue for the Comparable Restaurant Base, which is defined as the number of restaurants open for at least 24 full fiscal periods. For the quarters ended March 29, 2026 and March 30, 2025, there were 83 and 74 restaurants in our Comparable Restaurant Base, respectively.

A change in same-restaurant sales is the result of a change in restaurant transactions, average guest check, or a combination of the two. We gather daily sales data and regularly analyze the guest transaction counts and the mix of menu items sold to strategically evaluate menu pricing and demand. Measuring our change in same-restaurant sales allows management to evaluate the performance of our existing restaurant base. We believe this measure provides a consistent comparison of restaurant sales results and trends across periods within our core, established restaurant base, unaffected by results of restaurant openings and enables investors to better understand and evaluate the Company’s historical and prospective operating performance.

Average Unit Volume - AUV is the total revenue (excluding gift card and Perks loyalty program breakage) recognized in the Comparable Restaurant Base, including C&O, divided by the number of restaurants in the Comparable Restaurant Base, including C&O, by period.

This key performance indicator allows management to assess changes in consumer spending patterns at our restaurants and the overall performance of our restaurant base.

Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin - Adjusted EBITDA represents net income (loss) before depreciation and amortization, interest expense, interest income, and income taxes, adjusted for the impact of certain non-cash and other items that we do not consider in our evaluation of ongoing core operating performance as identified in the reconciliation of net income (loss), the most directly comparable GAAP measure to Adjusted EBITDA. Adjusted EBITDA Margin represents Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenues, net. See also “Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA and Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA Margin - Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA is defined as revenue, less restaurant operating expenses, which include food, beverage and packaging costs, labor expenses, occupancy expenses and other operating expenses. Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA excludes corporate level expenses and depreciation and amortization on restaurant property and equipment. Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA Margin represents Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenues, net. See also “Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

For more information about the Company’s Non-GAAP measures, how they are calculated and reconciled and why management believes that they are useful, see “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below.

Earnings Conference Call

The Company will host a conference call to discuss its financial results for the first quarter ended on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at 10:00 AM ET. The conference call can be accessed live over the phone by dialing 877-407-3982. A telephone replay will be available shortly after the call has concluded and can be accessed by dialing 844-512-2921, and using passcode #13748480. The webcast replay will be available at investors.portillos.com shortly after the call has concluded.

About Portillo’s

Portillo’s (NASDAQ: PTLO) is a one-of-a-kind brand that has grown from a small hot dog trailer in Chicago to more than 100 restaurants across 11 states. Known for its unique menu of craveable Italian beef sandwiches, Chicago-style hot dogs, char-grilled burgers, fresh salads and iconic chocolate cake, Portillo’s is beloved in both its home of Chicagoland and across new and growing markets. Portillo’s operates a company-owned model of not just restaurants – but experience-focused destinations that blend dine-in, drive-thru, takeout and delivery to serve our guests with the food they crave. And now, after six decades of success and counting, Portillo’s is on a mission to bring its iconic food and unforgettable dining experience to guests across the country.

Guests can join Portillo’s Perks, the brand’s loyalty program, at Portillos.com/perks to earn and redeem delicious rewards. Every visit brings fans closer to exclusive perks, badges and surprise offers. Fans can also download the Portillo’s App for iOS or Android or visit Portillo’s website to order ahead for pickup or delivery and get the best dill on these bun-believably delicious Chicago-style favorites and more. Plus, Portillo’s ships its craveworthy food to all 50 states via its website.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements, within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 ("PSLRA"). All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements discuss our current expectations and projections relating to our financial position, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance and business, and are based on currently available operating, financial and competitive information which are subject to various risks and uncertainties, so you should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. You can identify forward-looking statements by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. These statements may include words such as "aim," "anticipate," "believe," "commit," "estimate," "expect," "forecast," "outlook," "potential," "project," "projection," "plan," "intend," "seek," "may," "could," "would," "will," "should," "can," "can have," "likely," the negatives thereof and other similar expressions.

Forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and assumptions regarding our business, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, by their nature, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. As a result, our actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include regional, national or global political, economic, business, competitive, market and regulatory conditions and the following:

• risks related to or arising from our organizational structure;

• risks of food-borne illness and food safety and other health concerns about our food;

• risks relating to the economy and financial markets, including in relation to trade and tax policy changes and other macroeconomic uncertainty, including, inflation, fluctuating interest rates, stock market volatility, recession concerns, and other factors;

• risks associated with onboarding new members of management, including the Chief Executive Officer;

• the impact of unionization activities of our Team Members on our reputation, operations and profitability;

• risks associated with our reliance on certain information technology systems, and potential failures or interruptions;

• risks associated with data, privacy, cyber security and the use and implementation of information technology systems, including our digital ordering and payment platforms for our delivery business;

• risks associated with increased adoption, implementation and use of artificial intelligence technologies across our business;

• the impact of competition, including from our competitors in the restaurant industry or our own restaurants;

• the increasingly competitive labor market and our ability to attract and retain the best talent and qualified employees;

• the impact of federal, state or local government regulations relating to privacy, data protection, advertising and consumer protection, building and zoning requirements, labor and employment matters, costs of or ability to open new restaurants, or the sale of food and alcoholic beverages;

• inability to achieve our growth strategy, including as a result of, among other things, the availability of suitable new restaurant sites in existing and new markets and opening of new restaurants at the anticipated rate and on the anticipated timeline;

• the impact of consumer sentiment and other economic factors on our sales;

• fluctuation in food and other operating costs, tariffs and import taxes, and supply shortages; and

• other risks identified in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).

All forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. You should evaluate all forward-looking statements made in this press release in the context of the risks and uncertainties disclosed in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC. All of the Company’s SEC filings are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. The forward-looking statements included in this press release are made only as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by law.

Investor Contact:
Chris Brandon, Vice President of Investor Relations
312.931.5578
cbrandon@portillos.com

Media Contact:
Sara Wirth, Director of Communications & PR
press@portillos.com

(a) Includes a restaurant that is owned by C&O of which Portillo’s owns 50% of the equity. AUVs for the quarters ended March 29, 2026 and March 30, 2025 represent AUVs for the twelve months ended March 29, 2026 and March 30, 2025, respectively. Total restaurants indicated are as of March 29, 2026.
(b) Excludes C&O.

PORTILLO’S INC.
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

To supplement the consolidated financial statements, which are prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP, we use the following non-GAAP financial measures: Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin, and Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA and Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA Margin. Accordingly, Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA and Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA Margin are not required by, nor presented in accordance with GAAP, but rather are supplemental measures of operating performance of our restaurants. You should be aware that these measures are not indicative of overall results for the Company and that Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA and Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA Margin do not accrue directly to the benefit of stockholders because of corporate-level expenses excluded from such measures. These measures are supplemental measures of operating performance and our calculations thereof may not be comparable to similar measures reported by other companies. These measures are important measures to evaluate the performance and profitability of our restaurants, individually and in the aggregate, but also have important limitations as analytical tools and should not be considered in isolation as substitutes for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP.

Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin

Adjusted EBITDA represents net income (loss) before depreciation and amortization, interest expense, interest income, and income taxes, adjusted for the impact of certain non-cash and other items that we do not consider in our evaluation of ongoing core operating performance as identified in the reconciliation of net income (loss), the most directly comparable GAAP measure to Adjusted EBITDA. Adjusted EBITDA Margin represents Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of total revenues.

We use Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin (i) to evaluate our operating results and the effectiveness of our business strategies, (ii) internally as benchmarks to compare our performance to that of our competitors and (iii) as factors in evaluating management’s performance when determining incentive compensation.

We believe that Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin are important measures of operating performance because they eliminate the impact of expenses that do not relate to our core operating performance.

We are unable to reconcile the long-term outlook for Adjusted EBITDA to net income (loss), the corresponding U.S. GAAP measure, due to variability and difficulty in making accurate forecasts and projections and because not all information necessary to prepare the reconciliation is available to us without unreasonable efforts. For the same reasons, we are unable to address the probable significance of the unavailable information because we cannot accurately predict all of the components of the adjusted calculations and the non-GAAP measure may be materially different than the GAAP measure.

Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA and Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA Margin

Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA is defined as revenue, less restaurant operating expenses, which include cost of goods sold (excluding depreciation and amortization), labor expenses, occupancy expenses and other operating expenses. Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA excludes corporate level expenses and depreciation and amortization on restaurant property and equipment. Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA Margin represents Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenue.

We believe that Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA and Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA Margin are important measures to evaluate the performance and profitability of our restaurants, individually and in the aggregate.

See below for a reconciliation of net income, the most directly comparable GAAP measure, to Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin (in thousands):

(1) Represents the difference between cash rent payments and the recognition of straight-line rent expense recognized over the lease term.
(2) Represents non-capitalized third party consulting and software licensing costs incurred in connection with the implementation of a new HCM system which are included within general and administrative expenses.
(3) Represents amortization of capitalized cloud-based ERP and HCM system implementation costs that are included within general and administrative expenses.
(4) Represents loss on disposal of property and equipment included within other income, net.
(5) Represents $0.5 million of costs related to the Company's strategic reset of its development and growth plans and $0.2 million related to CEO transition and replacement costs. These costs are included within general and administrative expenses.
(6) Represents remeasurement of the Tax Receivable Agreement liability.
(7) Adjusted EBITDA Margin is defined as Adjusted EBITDA divided by Revenues, net.

See below for a reconciliation of operating income, the most directly comparable GAAP measure, to Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA and Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA Margin (in thousands):

(1) Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA Margin is defined as Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA divided by Revenues, net.