El Pollo Loco Holdings 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

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☐ Preliminary Proxy Statement

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☒ Definitive Proxy Statement

☐ Definitive Additional Materials

☐ Soliciting Material Pursuant to § 240.14a-12

El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc.

(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

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

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3535 Harbor Boulevard, Suite 100

Costa Mesa, CA 92626

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

TO BE HELD ON May 28, 2024

Dear Stockholders of El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc.:

The 2024 annual meeting of stockholders of El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. (“we,” “us,” “our,” and the “Company”), will be held virtually via audio webcast atwww.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/LOCO202**4 on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. Pacific Time to consider and vote on the following proposals:

You will be able to participate online and submit your questions during the meeting by visitingwww.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/LOCO2024. You will also be able to vote electronically at the annual meeting. Details regarding how to participate in the meeting online and the business to be conducted at the annual meeting are more fully described in the accompanying proxy statement.

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to Be Held on May 28, 2024: This Notice, the proxy statement, and the 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K are available atwww.proxyvote.com. These materials are also available on our website athttp://investor.elpolloloco.com.

Our board of directors has fixed the close of business on April 1, 2024, as the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the annual meeting. Only stockholders of record will be entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof, with each share entitling its owner to one vote on each matter properly presented. A list of stockholders as of the record date may be accessed during the virtual annual meeting atwww.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/LOCO202**4 by using the control number included with the proxy materials you received for the meeting.

YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT. We hope that you will attend the annual meeting. Whether or not you do, please vote in advance online, by telephone, or by mail.

PROXY STATEMENT