ESSENTIAL PROPERTIES REALTY TRUST, INC.

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )

Filed by the Registrant ☒

Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ☐

Check the appropriate box:

(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

Not applicable.

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

March 31, 2026

Dear Fellow Stockholder:

You are cordially invited to attend the 2026 annual meeting of stockholders of Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc. The meeting will be held on Monday, May 11, 2026, at 9:30 a.m., Eastern Time, in a virtual meeting format only. The Annual Meeting will be accessible solely by means of remote communication.

The attached proxy statement, with the accompanying notice of the meeting, describes the matters expected to be considered and voted upon at the meeting. We urge you to review these materials carefully and to take part in the affairs of our company by voting on the matters described in the proxy statement.

Your vote is important. To attend and participate in the meeting, you will need to register with the control number included on the notice or proxy card at www.proxydocs.com/EPRT prior to 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on Sunday, May 10, 2026. Although you may vote online during the virtual annual meeting, we encourage you to authorize a proxy to vote your shares via the internet, by telephone or by mail prior to the meeting, as outlined on your proxy card, to ensure that your shares are represented and voted. We look forward to your participation.

Sincerely,

Peter M. Mavoides President and Chief Executive Officer

5 Vaughn Drive, Suite 202

Princeton, New Jersey 08540

(609)436-0619

NOTICE OF 2026 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

To Be Held on May 11, 2026

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), will be held on Monday, May 11, 2026, at 9:30 a.m., Eastern Time, in a virtual meeting format only. To be admitted to the Annual Meeting and vote your shares, you must register atwww.proxydocs.com/EPRT by Sunday, May 10, 2026, at 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time (the “Registration Deadline”), and provide the control number as described in the notice or proxy card, which can be accessed at www.proxydocs.com/EPRT. After completion of your registration by the Registration Deadline, further instructions, including a unique link to access the Annual Meeting and vote during the meeting, will be emailed to you.

At the Annual Meeting, holders of shares of our common stock, $0.01 par value per share, will be asked to consider and vote upon the following proposals, all of which are discussed in greater detail in the accompanying Proxy Statement:

Only stockholders of record at the close of business on March 20, 2026, the record date for the Annual Meeting, will be entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting and any postponement or adjournment thereof.

To make it easier for you to authorize a proxy to vote, internet and telephone proxy authorization are available. The instructions on the proxy card or voting instruction form describe how to use these convenient services.

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting to be Held on May 11, 2026. The Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025 (which constitutes our annual report to stockholders) are available atwww.proxydocs.com/EPRT.

PROXY STATEMENT

i

ii