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

Filed by the Registrant

Filed by a Party other than the Registrant

Check the appropriate box:

Preliminary Proxy Statement

Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

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)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check all boxes that apply):

No fee required.

Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11


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Your Vote Counts! EL POLLO LOCO HOLDINGS, INC. 2023 Annual Meeting Vote by June 5, 2023 11:59 PM ET You invested in EL POLLO LOCO HOLDINGS, INC. and it’s time to vote! You have the right to vote on proposals being presented at the Annual Meeting. This is an important notice regarding the availability of proxy material for the stockholder meeting to be held on June 6, 2023. Vote Virtually at the Meeting* June 6, 2023 1:00 PM PT Virtually at: www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/LOCO2023 *Please check the meeting materials for any special requirements for meeting attendance. Smartphone users Point your camera here and vote without entering a control number V1.1 For complete information and to vote, visit www.ProxyVote.com Control # V11721-P86878 Get informed before you vote View the Notice and Proxy Statement and Form 10-K online OR you can receive a free paper or email copy of the material(s) by requesting prior to May 23, 2023. If you would like to request a copy of the material(s) for this and/or future stockholder meetings, you may (1) visit www.ProxyVote.com, (2) call 1-800-579-1639 or (3) send an email to sendmaterial@proxyvote.com. If sending an email, please include your control number (indicated below) in the subject line. Unless requested, you will not otherwise receive a paper or email copy. EL POLLO LOCO HOLDINGS, INC. 3535 HARBOR BLVD., SUITE 100 COSTA MESA, CA 92626

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THIS IS NOT A VOTABLE BALLOT This is an overview of the proposals being presented at the upcoming stockholder meeting. Please follow the instructions on the reverse side to vote these important matters. Vote at www.ProxyVote.com Prefer to receive an email instead? While voting on www.ProxyVote.com, be sure to click “Delivery Settings”. Voting Items Board Recommends V11722-P86878 01) Samuel N. Borgese 02) Laurance Roberts 03) Mark Buller 04) John M. Roth 1. Election of Directors Nominees: 2. Ratification of the Appointment of BDO USA, LLP as our Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for 2023. 3. Approval, on an Advisory (Non-Binding) Basis, of the Compensation of our Named Executive Officers. Note: In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote on such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. For For For