How did LOCO's Q4 earnings surprise impact its annual performance?

**El Pollo Loco's (LOCO) Q4 earnings surprise had a positive impact on its annual performance**, as evidenced by the following key points:

1. **Q4 Earnings Performance**:
- LOCO reported quarterly adjusted earnings of $0.20 per share for the quarter ended December 31, 2024.
- This was higher than the same quarter last year, when the company reported EPS of $0.16.
- The mean expectation of four analysts for the quarter was for earnings of $0.14 per share, indicating a significant beat on expectations.
2. **Annual Performance Implications**:
- LOCO's quarterly net income for Q4 was reported at $5.95 million.
- The company's annual net income can be inferred to have shown strong performance, given the higher earnings in Q4 compared to the previous year and the beat on analysts' expectations.
3. **Stock Performance and Analyst Ratings**:
- Despite the strong earnings, LOCO's shares had fallen by 8.8% that quarter.
- The current average analyst rating on the shares is "buy," with a breakdown of recommendations including "strong buy" or "buy," indicating positive sentiment among analysts.
4. **Future Outlook**:
- The global food service industry is growing, driven by health-consciousness, technology, and online food delivery platforms.
- LOCO is positioning itself to cater to evolving consumer demands, such as with the introduction of a new Iconic restaurant prototype.
- The company's focus on efficiency, innovation, and meeting environmental and social issues may further enhance its long-term performance.

In conclusion, LOCO's Q4 earnings surprise not only highlighted the company's strong financial performance but also reinforced investor confidence, as indicated by the positive analyst ratings and the belief in LOCO's strategic positioning for future growth.