COSTA MESA, Calif., July 30, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. ("El Pollo Loco" and the "Company") (Nasdaq:LOCO) today announced the completion of its previously announced initial public offering at $15.00 per share. The Company sold a total of 8,214,286 shares of common stock, which included 1,071,429 shares sold pursuant to the full exercise of the underwriters' option to purchase additional shares. Total net proceeds to the Company from the offering, after deducting underwriter discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses, were approximately $112.8 million. The issuance and sale of the shares closed on July 30, 2014.

Jefferies, Morgan Stanley and Baird served as joint book-running managers for the offering. William Blair and Stifel served as co-managers for the offering.

A registration statement relating to the shares of common stock of El Pollo Loco was declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on July 24, 2014. A final prospectus relating to the offering was filed with the SEC and is available on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov. Copies of the final prospectus may also be obtained from: Jefferies LLC, Attention: Equity Syndicate Prospectus Department, 520 Madison Avenue, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10022, by emailing Prospectus_Department@Jefferies.com, or by calling (877) 547-6340; Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, 180 Varick Street, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10014, Attention: Prospectus Department, or Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated, Attention: Syndicate Department, 777 E. Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53202, by emailing syndicate@rwbaird.com or by calling (800) 792-2473.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor may there be any offer, solicitation or sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of that state or jurisdiction.

About El Pollo Loco

El Pollo Loco is a differentiated and growing restaurant concept that specializes in fire-grilling citrus-marinated chicken in front of its customers. El Pollo Loco opened its first location on Alvarado Street in Los Angeles, California, in 1980 and has grown to more than 400 company-owned and franchised restaurants in Arizona, California, Nevada, Texas and Utah. The Company's distinctive menu features its signature product - citrus-marinated fire-grilled chicken - and a variety of Mexican-inspired entrees that the Company and its franchisees create from that chicken.

CONTACT: Investor Contact:

         Fitzhugh Taylor, ICR

         (714) 599-5200

         investors@elpolloloco.com

         

         Media Contact:

         Liz DiTrapano, ICR

         (646) 277-1226

         liz.ditrapano@icrinc.com