Document and Entity Information	6 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information	Jun. 25, 2014	Sep. 04, 2014
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Jun. 25, 2014
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Trading Symbol	LOCO
Entity Registrant Name	El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	0001606366
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		36,929,836

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 25, 2014	Dec. 25, 2013
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 27,134	$ 17,015
Restricted cash	125	131
Accounts and other receivables, net	5,648	5,906
Inventories	1,665	1,655
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	3,218	2,123
Deferred tax assets	442	442
Total current assets	38,232	27,272
Property and equipment owned, net	75,255	68,641
Property held under capital leases, net	154	180
Goodwill	249,324	249,324
Domestic trademarks	61,888	61,888
Other intangible assets, net	853	934
Other assets	7,462	8,703
Total assets	433,168	416,942
Current liabilities:
Current portion of senior secured term loan	1,900	1,900
Current portion of obligations under capital leases	239	267
Accounts payable	15,421	12,316
Accrued salaries and vacation	7,999	8,594
Accrued insurance	4,401	3,597
Accrued income taxes payable	34	27
Accrued interest	4,301	4,182
Accrued advertising	404	265
Other accrued expenses and current liabilities	8,159	7,825
Total current liabilities	42,858	38,973
Noncurrent liabilities:
First lien term loan, net of current portion	186,334	187,190
Second lien term loan	99,129	99,038
Obligations under capital leases, net of current portion	744	847
Deferred tax liabilities	33,206	32,387
Other intangible liabilities, net	1,735	1,927
Other noncurrent liabilities	8,277	8,044
Total liabilities	372,283	368,406
Commitments, contingencies and subsequent events
Stockholder's Equity
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized; none outstanding
Common stock, $0.01 par value-200,000,000 shares authorized; 28,715,550 and 28,712,622 shares issued and outstanding	287	287
Additional paid-in-capital	240,461	240,151
Accumulated deficit	(179,863)	(191,902)
Total stockholder's equity	60,885	48,536
Total liabilities and stockholder's equity	$ 433,168	$ 416,942

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Jun. 25, 2014	Dec. 25, 2013
Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract]
Preferred stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	100,000,000	100,000,000
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	200,000,000	200,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	28,715,550	28,715,550
Common stock, shares outstanding	28,712,622	28,712,622

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 25, 2014	Jun. 26, 2013	Jun. 25, 2014	Jun. 26, 2013
Revenue
Company-operated restaurant revenue	$ 81,358	$ 76,520	$ 157,571	$ 148,589
Franchise revenue	5,546	5,207	10,760	10,133
Total revenue	86,904	81,727	168,331	158,722
Cost of operations
Food and paper cost	25,930	24,207	49,953	46,903
Labor and related expenses	20,102	19,218	39,415	38,288
Occupancy and other operating expenses	16,945	15,874	32,989	31,398
Company restaurant expenses	62,977	59,299	122,357	116,589
General and administrative expenses	6,835	6,298	13,465	12,491
Franchise expenses	943	981	1,926	1,950
Depreciation and amortization	2,752	2,541	5,347	4,945
Loss on disposal of assets	215	391	491	581
Asset impairment and close-store reserves	340	36	393	101
Total expenses	74,062	69,546	143,979	136,657
Income from operations	12,842	12,181	24,352	22,065
Interest expense, net	5,703	9,800	11,326	19,580
Income before provision for income taxes	7,139	2,381	13,026	2,485
Provision for income taxes	(570)	(1,971)	(987)	(2,135)
Net income	$ 6,569	$ 410	$ 12,039	$ 350
Net income per share
Basic	$ 0.23	$ 0.01	$ 0.42	$ 0.01
Diluted	$ 0.21	$ 0.01	$ 0.39	$ 0.01
Weighted-average shares used in computing net income per share
Basic	28,715,485	28,712,622	28,714,053	28,712,622
Diluted	30,596,998	28,999,093	30,595,565	28,999,093

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 25, 2014	Jun. 26, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 12,039	$ 350
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	5,347	4,945
Stock-based compensation	337	116
Interest accretion	185	3,217
Loss on disposal of assets	455	568
Impairment of property and equipment	36	20
Close-store reserve	357	81
Amortization of deferred financing costs	779	1,059
Amortization of favorable and unfavorable leases, net	(111)	(107)
Deferred income taxes, net	819	2,109
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts and other receivables, net	258	(1,890)
Inventories	(10)	32
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(1,095)	(481)
Income taxes payable	7	(3)
Other assets	468	63
Accounts payable	1,070	1,622
Accrued salaries and vacation	(622)	(463)
Accrued insurance	804	360
Other accrued expenses and liabilities	468	(1,088)
Net cash flows provided by operating activities	21,591	10,510
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of property and equipment	(10,391)	(7,415)
Net cash flows used in investing activities	(10,391)	(7,415)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payments on senior secured loan	(950)	(850)
Payment of obligations under capital leases	(131)	(110)
Net cash flows used in financing activities	(1,081)	(960)
Increase in cash and cash equivalents	10,119	2,135
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	17,015	21,487
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	27,134	23,622
Supplemental cash flow information
Cash paid during the period for interest	10,058	15,264
Cash paid during the period for income taxes, net	161	29
Unpaid purchases of property and equipment	2,035	569
Cashless stock option exercise	$ (27)

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 25, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Overview El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. (“Holdings”) is a Delaware corporation headquartered in Costa Mesa, California. Holdings and its direct and indirect subsidiaries are collectively known as “we,” “us” or the “Company.” Our activities are conducted principally through our indirect subsidiary, El Pollo Loco, Inc. (“EPL”), which develops, franchises, licenses, and operates quick-service restaurants under the name El Pollo Loco^® and operates under one business segment. At June 25, 2014, we operated 168 and franchised 233 El Pollo Loco restaurants. Basis of Presentation We have prepared the accompanying interim unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”) for complete financial statements. In our opinion, all adjustments considered necessary for the fair presentation of our results of operations, financial position, and cash flows for the periods presented have been included and are of a normal, recurring nature. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for a full year. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 25, 2013, included in our prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b)(4) under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”) on July 28, 2014. We use a 52- or 53-week fiscal year ending on the last Wednesday of the calendar year. In a 52-week fiscal year, each quarter includes 13 weeks of operations; in a 53-week fiscal year, the first, second and third quarters each include 13 weeks of operations and the fourth quarter includes 14 weeks of operations. Every six or seven years a 53-week fiscal year occurs. Fiscal 2013, which was a 52-week year, ended on December 25, 2013. Fiscal 2014, which is a 53-week year, will end on December 31, 2014. Because fiscal 2014 is a 53-week year, both revenues and expenses, and other financial and operational figures, may be on an elevated scale compared with 52-week periods both before and after. On July 14, 2014, we amended our certificate of incorporation to increase our authorized share count to 200,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, and split our stock 8.56381:1. On July 24, 2014, we amended and restated our certificate of incorporation to, among other things, increase our authorized share count to 300,000,000 shares of stock, including 200,000,000 shares of common stock and 100,000,000 shares of preferred stock, each par value $0.01 per share. On July 30, 2014, we completed our initial public offering of 8,214,286 shares of common stock at a price to the public of $15.00 per share (the “IPO”), including 1,071,429 shares sold to the underwriters pursuant to their option to purchase additional shares. After underwriting discounts, commissions, and fees and expenses of IPO offering and distribution, as set forth in our registration statement for the IPO on Form S-1, we received net IPO proceeds of approximately $112.8 million. We used these proceeds primarily to repay in whole a $100 million second lien term loan (the “Second Lien Term Loan”). All share and per-share data herein have been adjusted to reflect the stock split as though it had occurred prior to the earliest data presented. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Holdings and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformance with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect (i) the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities, at the date of the financial statements, and (ii) revenue and expenses during the period reported. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates. Our significant estimates include estimates for (i) impairment of goodwill, intangible assets and plant and equipment, (ii) insurance reserves, (iii) lease termination liabilities, (iv) stock-based compensation, and (v) income tax valuation allowances. Reclassifications Certain comparative prior year amounts in the condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on previously reported net income. Liquidity Our principal liquidity requirements are to service our debt and to meet capital expenditure needs. At June 25, 2014, our total debt was $288.3 million. Our ability to make payments on our indebtedness and to fund planned capital expenditures depends on available cash and on our ability to generate adequate cash flows in the future, which, to a certain extent, is subject to general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory, and other factors that are beyond our control. Based on current operations, we believe that our cash flow from operations, available cash of $27.1 million at June 25, 2014, and available borrowings under our $15 million senior secured revolving credit facility (the “Revolver”) (which availability was approximately $7.7 million at June 25, 2014) will be adequate to meet our liquidity needs for the next 12 months. Concentration of Risk We have two suppliers for which amounts due at June 25, 2014, and December 25, 2013, totaled 44% and 45% and 16% and 11%, respectively, of our accounts payable. Purchases from the same suppliers accounted for the majority of our purchases for the periods ended June 25, 2014, and June 26, 2013. Company-operated and franchised restaurants in the greater Los Angeles area generated, in the aggregate, approximately 80% of revenue for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended June 25, 2014, and June 26, 2013. Goodwill and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets Our indefinite lived intangible assets consist of trademarks. Goodwill represents the excess of cost over fair value of net identified assets acquired in business combinations accounted for under the purchase method. We do not amortize our goodwill and indefinite lived intangible assets. Upon the sale of a restaurant, we decrement goodwill. The amount of goodwill that we include in the cost basis of the asset sold is determined based on the relative fair value of the reporting unit disposed of as a percentage of the fair value of the reporting unit retained. We perform an annual impairment test for goodwill during the fourth fiscal quarter of each year, or more frequently if impairment indicators arise. We review goodwill for impairment utilizing either a qualitative assessment or a two-step process. If we decide that it is appropriate to perform a qualitative assessment and conclude that the fair value of a reporting unit more likely than not exceeds its carrying value, no further evaluation is necessary. If we perform the two-step process, the first step of the goodwill impairment test is used to identify potential impairment by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill of the reporting unit is considered not impaired and the second step of the impairment test is unnecessary. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the second step is performed to measure the amount of impairment by comparing the carrying amount of the goodwill to a determination of the implied value of the goodwill. If the carrying amount of goodwill is greater than the implied value, an impairment charge is recognized for the difference. We perform annual impairment tests for indefinite lived intangible assets during the fourth fiscal quarter of each year or earlier if indicators of potential impairment exist. The impairment test consists of either a qualitative assessment or a comparison of the fair value of the intangible asset with its carrying amount. The excess of the carrying amount of the intangible asset over its fair value is its impairment loss. We did not identify any indicators of potential impairment during the first half of fiscal 2014 and therefore did not perform any impairment review. Income Taxes Provision for income taxes, income taxes payable, and deferred income taxes are determined using the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on temporary differences between the financial carrying amounts and the tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect in the years in which the temporary differences are expected to reverse. On a periodic basis, we assess the probability that our net deferred tax assets, if any, will be recovered. If, after evaluating all of the positive and negative evidence, we conclude that it is more likely than not that some or all of the net deferred tax assets will not be recovered, we provide for a valuation allowance by charging to tax expense to reserve the portion of deferred tax assets that we do not expect to be realized. At June 25, 2014, and December 25, 2013, we maintained a full valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets. The company will continue to evaluate all positive and negative evidence at each financial statement period to determine if the valuation allowance should be adjusted. We review our filing positions for all open tax years in all U.S. federal and state jurisdictions where we are required to file. When there are uncertainties related to potential income tax benefits, in order to qualify for recognition, the position we take has to have at least a “more likely than not” chance of being sustained (based on the position’s technical merits) upon challenge by the respective authorities. The term “more likely than not” means a likelihood of more than 50 percent. Otherwise, we may not recognize any of the potential tax benefit associated with the position. We recognize a benefit for a tax position that meets the “more likely than not” criterion at the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized upon its effective resolution. Unrecognized tax benefits involve our judgment regarding the likelihood of the benefit being sustained. The final resolution of uncertain tax positions could result in adjustments to recorded amounts and may affect our results of operations, financial position, and cash flows. We recognize interest and penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense. We had no accrual for interest or penalties at June 25, 2014, or at December 25, 2013, and did not recognize interest or penalties during the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended June 25, 2014, and June 26, 2013, respectively, since we had no material unrecognized tax benefits. We do not anticipate material changes in our amount of unrecognized tax benefits within the next twelve months. On July 30, 2014, we entered into an Income Tax Receivable Agreement (the “TRA”). The TRA calls for us to pay to our pre-IPO stockholders 85% of the savings in cash that we realize in our taxes as a result of utilizing our net operating losses and other tax attributes attributable to preceding periods. In connection with the TRA, we have amended our first lien credit agreement (the “First Lien Credit Agreement”) to permit dividend payments to us by our subsidiaries in amounts up to $11 million per fiscal year, not to exceed $33 million in the aggregate.

Property and Equipment

6 Months Ended

Jun. 25, 2014

Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]

Property and Equipment

2. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

Below are costs and related accumulated depreciation and amortization of major classes of property, in thousands.


	June 25, 2014			December 25, 2013
Land	$	13,186		$	13,186
Buildings and improvements		83,569			78,181
Other property and equipment		46,932			46,079
Construction in progress		4,349			815

		148,036			138,261
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization		(72,781	)		(69,620	)

	$	75,255		$	68,641

Depreciation expense was $2.8 million and $2.5 million and $5.3 million and $4.9 million for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended June 25, 2014, and June 26, 2013, respectively. The gross value of assets under capital leases was $1.9 million at both June 25, 2014, and December 25, 2013, and corresponding accumulated depreciation was $1.7 million for both periods. For the thirteen weeks ended June 25, 2014, capital expenditures totaled $6.7 million, including $3.3 million for restaurant remodeling and $2.3 million for new restaurant expenditures. For the twenty- six weeks ended June 25, 2014, capital expenditures totaled $10.4 million, including $5.4 million for restaurant remodeling and $3.1 million for new restaurant expenditures.

Stock-Based Compensation	6 Months Ended
Stock-Based Compensation	Jun. 25, 2014
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]
Stock-Based Compensation	3. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION At June 25, 2014, options to purchase 3,331,764 shares of common stock were outstanding, including 2,087,335 vested and 1,244,429 unvested. Unvested options vest over time, or upon our achieving annual financial goals. However, upon a change in control, the board may accelerate vesting. At June 25, 2014, 2,062,448 premium options remained outstanding. For the twenty-six weeks ended June 25, 2014, there was one exercise of stock options for 739 shares. At June 25, 2014, we had total unrecognized compensation expense of $0.5 million, related to unvested stock options, which we expect to recognize over a weighted-average period of 1.3 years.

Credit Agreements	6 Months Ended
Credit Agreements	Jun. 25, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Credit Agreements	4. CREDIT AGREEMENTS On October 11, 2013, we refinanced our debt (the “2013 Refinancing”), with EPL entering into (i) the First Lien Credit Agreement, including a $190 million senior secured term loan (the “First Lien Term Loan”) and the Revolver, each maturing in October 2018, and (ii) a new second lien credit agreement (the “Second Lien Credit Agreement”) including the Second Lien Term Loan. The proceeds received from the term loans were used to pay off our prior credit agreements, including our senior secured first lien credit facility due July 2017 and 17% second priority senior secured notes due January 2018. Loans under the First Lien Credit Agreement bear interest, at EPL’s option, at LIBOR or an Alternate Base Rate, plus an applicable margin of 4.25% with respect to LIBOR and 3.25% with respect to the Alternate Base Rate, with a 1.00% floor with respect to LIBOR. The First Lien Term Loan was issued at a discount of $950,000, and this discount is being accreted over the term of the loan, using the effective interest method. The unamortized discount at June 25, 2014, is $816,000. The First Lien Term Loan requires quarterly principal payments of 0.25%, commencing March 26, 2014. The First Lien Term Loan and the Revolver are secured by a first priority lien on substantially all of EPL’s and Intermediate’s assets. The Revolver provides a $15 million revolving line of credit. At June 25, 2014, $7.3 million in letters of credit were outstanding, and $7.7 million was available to borrow. Loans under the Second Lien Credit Agreement bore interest, at EPL’s option, at LIBOR or an Alternate Base Rate, plus an applicable margin of 8.50% with respect to LIBOR and 7.50% with respect to the Alternate Base Rate, with a 1.00% floor with respect to LIBOR. The Second Lien Term Loan was issued at a discount of $1.0 million, and this discount was accreted over the term of the loan, using the effective interest method. The unamortized discount at June 25, 2014, was $871,000. Following the IPO, we fully repaid the Second Lien Term Loan. The First Lien Credit Agreement contains a number of negative and financial covenants, including, among others, the following (all subject to certain exceptions): a maximum total leverage ratio covenant, a minimum interest coverage ratio covenant, a maximum capital expenditure covenant, and limitations on indebtedness, liens, investments, asset sales, mergers, consolidations, liquidations and dissolutions, restricted payments, and negative pledges. The First Lien Credit Agreement also contains certain customary affirmative covenants and events of default. At June 25, 2014, we were in compliance with all covenants.

Commitments and Contingencies	6 Months Ended
Commitments and Contingencies	Jun. 25, 2014
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	7. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES Legal Matters Around February 24, 2014, a former employee filed a class action in the Superior Court of the State of California, County of Orange, against EPL on behalf of all putative class members (all hourly employees from 2010 to the present) alleging certain violations of California labor laws, including failure to pay overtime compensation, failure to provide meal periods and rest breaks, and failure to provide itemized wage statements. The putative lead plaintiff’s requested remedies included compensatory and punitive damages, injunctive relief, disgorgement of profits, and reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs. No specific amount of damages sought was specified in the complaint. We were served with the complaint on March 3, 2014. While we intend to vigorously defend against this action, including its class certification, its ultimate outcome is presently not determinable, as it is in a preliminary phase. Thus, we cannot determine the likelihood of an adverse judgment nor a likely range of damages, if any. A settlement or adverse judgment could have a material adverse impact. We are involved in various claims and legal actions that arise in the ordinary course of business. We do not believe that the ultimate resolution of these actions will have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, liquidity, or capital resources. A significant increase in the number of claims or an increase in amounts payable under successful claims could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. Purchasing Commitments We have long-term beverage supply agreements with certain major beverage vendors. Pursuant to the terms of these arrangements, marketing rebates are provided to us and our franchisees from beverage vendors based upon dollar volumes of purchases system-wide, which vary with demand for and the price of syrup. Our contracts extend so far as 2017, and our estimated obligations under them total $21.5 million. We have two supplier contracts for chicken that terminate in December 2014 and January 2015. We entered into these agreements in December 2013 at costs comparable to those of the contracts that preceded them. At June 25, 2014, our estimated obligations under them totaled $15.8 million. Contingent Lease Obligations We are contingently liable for two leases that we assigned to franchisees. The latest lease expires in 2015. At June 25, 2014, our maximum exposure was $87,000, or $76,000, if discounted at our estimated pre-tax cost of debt. In the event of a franchisee default, we could cross-default the franchisee under its franchise agreement. We believe that cross-default provisions reduce our risk of payments, and we have not recorded any liability in our condensed consolidated financial statements related to these liabilities. Employment Agreements We have at-will employment agreements with four of our officers. These agreements provide for minimum salary levels, possible annual adjustments for cost-of-living changes, and incentive bonuses payable under certain conditions. Indemnification Agreements We have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our current directors and executive officers. These agreements require us to indemnify them to the fullest extent permitted under Delaware law against liabilities that may arise by reason of their service to us, and to advance expenses incurred as a result of any proceeding against them where they could be indemnified. We also intend to enter into indemnification agreements with our future directors and executive officers.

Related Party Transactions	6 Months Ended
Related Party Transactions	Jun. 25, 2014
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related Party Transactions	9. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS Trimaran Capital LLC, and Freeman Spogli & Co., our sponsors, indirectly beneficially own shares sufficient for majority control over all matters requiring stockholder votes, including elections of directors, mergers, consolidations, acquisitions, sales of all or substantially all of our assets, other decisions affecting our capital structure, amendments to our certificate of incorporation or by-laws, and our winding up and dissolution. Furthermore, so long as Trimaran Pollo Partners, L.L.C. (“LLC”), their investment vehicle, owns a majority of our common stock, our sponsors can appoint the members of our board of directors. On November 18, 2005, we entered into a Monitoring and Management Services Agreement with Trimaran Fund Management, LLC, providing for annual fees of $500,000 and reasonable expenses. During the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended June 25, 2014, and June 26, 2013, $134,000 and $169,000 and $292,000 and $324,000, respectively, were paid under the agreement, and accounted for as general and administrative expenses. In connection with the IPO, we have terminated the agreement.

Subsequent Events	6 Months Ended
Subsequent Events	Jun. 25, 2014
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events	10. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS Texas Franchisee Transactions On July 8, 2014, we agreed to sell six company-operated restaurants in the greater San Antonio area to AA Pollo, Inc., a Texas corporation. This sale is expected to close on September 24, 2014. In connection with the sale, AA Pollo, Inc., entered into an exclusive development agreement with us to develop and open eight restaurants in the greater San Antonio area. On August 20, we agreed to an additional exclusive franchise development agreement with AA Pollo, Inc., and its owners, for the development of twelve restaurants in the Houston area. Franchise Development Option Agreement On July 11, 2014, EPL and LLC entered into a Franchise Development Option Agreement relating to development of our restaurants in the New York–Newark, NY–NJ–CT–PA Combined Statistical Area (the “Territory”). EPL granted LLC the exclusive option to develop and open fifteen restaurants in the Territory over five years (the “Initial Option”), and, provided that the Initial Option is exercised, the exclusive option to develop and open up to an additional one hundred restaurants in the Territory over ten years (the “Additional Option”). The Franchise Development Option Agreement terminates (i) ten years after execution, or (ii) if the Initial Option is exercised, five years after that exercise. LLC may only exercise the Initial Option if EPL first determines to begin development of company-operated restaurants in the Territory or support the development of the Territory. We have no current intention to begin development in the Territory. IPO Compensation Arrangements In connection with the completion of our IPO, we granted options to purchase 223,183 shares of our common stock to selected employees who are not our executive officers with $15.00 exercise prices, the IPO price and fair market value as of the date of grant. We will incur approximately $1.3 million of stock-based compensation expense in connection with these grants, which we will expense over four years. In addition, in connection with the completion of our IPO, we granted two of our directors restricted grants for 3,333 shares each, equivalent to $50,000 divided by our public offering price. These grants vest based on continued service over three years. Based on our share price when the grants were consummated, we expect to incur approximately $330,000 of stock-based compensation expense as the grants vest.

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 25, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation We have prepared the accompanying interim unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”) for complete financial statements. In our opinion, all adjustments considered necessary for the fair presentation of our results of operations, financial position, and cash flows for the periods presented have been included and are of a normal, recurring nature. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for a full year. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 25, 2013, included in our prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b)(4) under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”) on July 28, 2014. We use a 52- or 53-week fiscal year ending on the last Wednesday of the calendar year. In a 52-week fiscal year, each quarter includes 13 weeks of operations; in a 53-week fiscal year, the first, second and third quarters each include 13 weeks of operations and the fourth quarter includes 14 weeks of operations. Every six or seven years a 53-week fiscal year occurs. Fiscal 2013, which was a 52-week year, ended on December 25, 2013. Fiscal 2014, which is a 53-week year, will end on December 31, 2014. Because fiscal 2014 is a 53-week year, both revenues and expenses, and other financial and operational figures, may be on an elevated scale compared with 52-week periods both before and after. On July 14, 2014, we amended our certificate of incorporation to increase our authorized share count to 200,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, and split our stock 8.56381:1. On July 24, 2014, we amended and restated our certificate of incorporation to, among other things, increase our authorized share count to 300,000,000 shares of stock, including 200,000,000 shares of common stock and 100,000,000 shares of preferred stock, each par value $0.01 per share. On July 30, 2014, we completed our initial public offering of 8,214,286 shares of common stock at a price to the public of $15.00 per share (the “IPO”), including 1,071,429 shares sold to the underwriters pursuant to their option to purchase additional shares. After underwriting discounts, commissions, and fees and expenses of IPO offering and distribution, as set forth in our registration statement for the IPO on Form S-1, we received net IPO proceeds of approximately $112.8 million. We used these proceeds primarily to repay in whole a $100 million second lien term loan (the “Second Lien Term Loan”). All share and per-share data herein have been adjusted to reflect the stock split as though it had occurred prior to the earliest data presented. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Holdings and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformance with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect (i) the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities, at the date of the financial statements, and (ii) revenue and expenses during the period reported. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates. Our significant estimates include estimates for (i) impairment of goodwill, intangible assets and plant and equipment, (ii) insurance reserves, (iii) lease termination liabilities, (iv) stock-based compensation, and (v) income tax valuation allowances.
Reclassifications	Reclassifications Certain comparative prior year amounts in the condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on previously reported net income.
Liquidity	Liquidity Our principal liquidity requirements are to service our debt and to meet capital expenditure needs. At June 25, 2014, our total debt was $288.3 million. Our ability to make payments on our indebtedness and to fund planned capital expenditures depends on available cash and on our ability to generate adequate cash flows in the future, which, to a certain extent, is subject to general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory, and other factors that are beyond our control. Based on current operations, we believe that our cash flow from operations, available cash of $27.1 million at June 25, 2014, and available borrowings under our $15 million senior secured revolving credit facility (the “Revolver”) (which availability was approximately $7.7 million at June 25, 2014) will be adequate to meet our liquidity needs for the next 12 months.
Concentration of Risk	Concentration of Risk We have two suppliers for which amounts due at June 25, 2014, and December 25, 2013, totaled 44% and 45% and 16% and 11%, respectively, of our accounts payable. Purchases from the same suppliers accounted for the majority of our purchases for the periods ended June 25, 2014, and June 26, 2013. Company-operated and franchised restaurants in the greater Los Angeles area generated, in the aggregate, approximately 80% of revenue for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended June 25, 2014, and June 26, 2013.
Goodwill and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets	Goodwill and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets Our indefinite lived intangible assets consist of trademarks. Goodwill represents the excess of cost over fair value of net identified assets acquired in business combinations accounted for under the purchase method. We do not amortize our goodwill and indefinite lived intangible assets. Upon the sale of a restaurant, we decrement goodwill. The amount of goodwill that we include in the cost basis of the asset sold is determined based on the relative fair value of the reporting unit disposed of as a percentage of the fair value of the reporting unit retained. We perform an annual impairment test for goodwill during the fourth fiscal quarter of each year, or more frequently if impairment indicators arise. We review goodwill for impairment utilizing either a qualitative assessment or a two-step process. If we decide that it is appropriate to perform a qualitative assessment and conclude that the fair value of a reporting unit more likely than not exceeds its carrying value, no further evaluation is necessary. If we perform the two-step process, the first step of the goodwill impairment test is used to identify potential impairment by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill of the reporting unit is considered not impaired and the second step of the impairment test is unnecessary. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the second step is performed to measure the amount of impairment by comparing the carrying amount of the goodwill to a determination of the implied value of the goodwill. If the carrying amount of goodwill is greater than the implied value, an impairment charge is recognized for the difference. We perform annual impairment tests for indefinite lived intangible assets during the fourth fiscal quarter of each year or earlier if indicators of potential impairment exist. The impairment test consists of either a qualitative assessment or a comparison of the fair value of the intangible asset with its carrying amount. The excess of the carrying amount of the intangible asset over its fair value is its impairment loss. We did not identify any indicators of potential impairment during the first half of fiscal 2014 and therefore did not perform any impairment review.
Income Taxes	Income Taxes Provision for income taxes, income taxes payable, and deferred income taxes are determined using the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on temporary differences between the financial carrying amounts and the tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect in the years in which the temporary differences are expected to reverse. On a periodic basis, we assess the probability that our net deferred tax assets, if any, will be recovered. If, after evaluating all of the positive and negative evidence, we conclude that it is more likely than not that some or all of the net deferred tax assets will not be recovered, we provide for a valuation allowance by charging to tax expense to reserve the portion of deferred tax assets that we do not expect to be realized. At June 25, 2014, and December 25, 2013, we maintained a full valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets. The company will continue to evaluate all positive and negative evidence at each financial statement period to determine if the valuation allowance should be adjusted. We review our filing positions for all open tax years in all U.S. federal and state jurisdictions where we are required to file. When there are uncertainties related to potential income tax benefits, in order to qualify for recognition, the position we take has to have at least a “more likely than not” chance of being sustained (based on the position’s technical merits) upon challenge by the respective authorities. The term “more likely than not” means a likelihood of more than 50 percent. Otherwise, we may not recognize any of the potential tax benefit associated with the position. We recognize a benefit for a tax position that meets the “more likely than not” criterion at the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized upon its effective resolution. Unrecognized tax benefits involve our judgment regarding the likelihood of the benefit being sustained. The final resolution of uncertain tax positions could result in adjustments to recorded amounts and may affect our results of operations, financial position, and cash flows. We recognize interest and penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense. We had no accrual for interest or penalties at June 25, 2014, or at December 25, 2013, and did not recognize interest or penalties during the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended June 25, 2014, and June 26, 2013, respectively, since we had no material unrecognized tax benefits. We do not anticipate material changes in our amount of unrecognized tax benefits within the next twelve months. On July 30, 2014, we entered into an Income Tax Receivable Agreement (the “TRA”). The TRA calls for us to pay to our pre-IPO stockholders 85% of the savings in cash that we realize in our taxes as a result of utilizing our net operating losses and other tax attributes attributable to preceding periods. In connection with the TRA, we have amended our first lien credit agreement (the “First Lien Credit Agreement”) to permit dividend payments to us by our subsidiaries in amounts up to $11 million per fiscal year, not to exceed $33 million in the aggregate.

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended				3 Months Ended	0 Months Ended				3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended			0 Months Ended					0 Months Ended
	Jun. 25, 2014	Jun. 25, 2014 Segment	Jun. 26, 2013	Dec. 25, 2013	Dec. 26, 2012	Jun. 25, 2014 Supplier Concentration Risk [Member] Supplier	Jun. 25, 2014 Supplier One [Member] Accounts Payable [Member] Supplier Concentration Risk [Member]	Dec. 25, 2013 Supplier One [Member] Accounts Payable [Member] Supplier Concentration Risk [Member]	Jun. 25, 2014 Supplier Two [Member] Accounts Payable [Member] Supplier Concentration Risk [Member]	Dec. 25, 2013 Supplier Two [Member] Accounts Payable [Member] Supplier Concentration Risk [Member]	Jun. 25, 2014 Los Angeles [Member] Revenue [Member] Geographic Concentration Risk [Member]	Jun. 26, 2013 Los Angeles [Member] Revenue [Member] Geographic Concentration Risk [Member]	Jun. 25, 2014 Los Angeles [Member] Revenue [Member] Geographic Concentration Risk [Member]	Jun. 26, 2013 Los Angeles [Member] Revenue [Member] Geographic Concentration Risk [Member]	Jun. 25, 2014 First Lien Credit Agreement [Member] Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	Jul. 30, 2014 Subsequent Event [Member]	Jul. 14, 2014 Subsequent Event [Member]	Jul. 30, 2014 Subsequent Event [Member]	Jul. 24, 2014 Subsequent Event [Member]	Jul. 14, 2014 Subsequent Event [Member]	Jul. 30, 2014 Subsequent Event [Member] Over-Allotment Option [Member]	Jul. 30, 2014 Subsequent Event [Member] Second Lien Term Loan [Member]	Jul. 30, 2014 Subsequent Event [Member] First Lien Credit Agreement [Member] Maximum [Member]	Jun. 25, 2014 Entity Operated Units [Member] Restaurants	Jun. 25, 2014 Franchised Units [Member] Restaurants
Basis Of Presentation And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of restaurants																								168	233
Number of operating segments		1
Common stock, shares authorized	200,000,000	200,000,000		200,000,000															200,000,000	200,000,000
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01		$ 0.01															$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Stock split ratio																	8.56381
Shares of stock authorized																			300,000,000
Preferred stock, shares authorized	100,000,000	100,000,000		100,000,000															100,000,000
Preferred stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01		$ 0.01															$ 0.01
Common stock issued under IPO																8,214,286					1,071,429
Common stock sale price, per share																		$ 15.00
Proceeds from issuance initial public offering																$ 112,800,000
Payment of second lien term loan																						100,000,000
Total amount of outstanding debt	288,300,000	288,300,000
Cash available	27,134,000	27,134,000	23,622,000	17,015,000	21,487,000
Revolving line of credit															15,000,000
Amount of borrowings available															7,700,000
Number of suppliers						2
Percentage of accounts payable or revenue							44.00%	45.00%	16.00%	11.00%	80.00%	80.00%	80.00%	80.00%
Unrecognized tax benefits, accrual of interest or penalties	0	0		0
Unrecognized tax benefits, interest or penalties expenses	0		0
Percentage of cash savings in taxes realized as a result of utilizing net operating losses payable to pre-IPO stockholders																85.00%
Dividends receivable from subsidiaries per fiscal year																							11,000,000
Total dividends receivable from subsidiaries																							$ 33,000,000

Property and Equipment - Schedule of Costs and Related Accumulated Depreciation and Amortization of Major Classes of Property (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 25, 2014	Dec. 25, 2013
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 148,036	$ 138,261
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization	(72,781)	(69,620)
Property and equipment, net	75,255	68,641
Land [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	13,186	13,186
Buildings and Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	83,569	78,181
Other Property and Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	46,932	46,079
Construction in Progress [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 4,349	$ 815

Stock-Based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 25, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Common stock, options outstanding	3,331,764
Common stock, options vested	2,087,335
Common stock, options unvested	1,244,429
Stock options exercised	739
Unrecognized compensation expense	$ 0.5
Unrecognized compensation expense, recognition period	1 year 3 months 18 days
Premium Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Common stock, options outstanding	2,062,448

Credit Agreements - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	6 Months Ended	0 Months Ended		0 Months Ended				0 Months Ended		0 Months Ended				0 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
	Jun. 25, 2014	Oct. 11, 2013 Second Priority Senior Secured Notes Due January 2018 [Member]	Oct. 11, 2013 Second Priority Senior Secured Notes Due January 2018 [Member]	Oct. 11, 2013 Senior Secured First Lien Credit Facility Due July 2017 [Member]	Oct. 11, 2013 First Lien Credit Agreement [Member]	Oct. 11, 2013 First Lien Credit Agreement [Member] LIBOR [Member]	Oct. 11, 2013 First Lien Credit Agreement [Member] LIBOR [Member]	Oct. 11, 2013 First Lien Credit Agreement [Member] Alternate Base Rate [Member]	Jun. 25, 2014 First Lien Credit Agreement [Member] Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	Oct. 11, 2013 First Lien Credit Agreement [Member] First Lien Term Loan [Member]	Jun. 25, 2014 First Lien Credit Agreement [Member] First Lien Term Loan [Member]	Oct. 11, 2013 First Lien Credit Agreement [Member] First Lien Term Loan [Member]	Oct. 11, 2013 First Lien Credit Agreement [Member] Senior Secured Term Loan [Member]	Oct. 11, 2013 Second Lien Credit Agreement [Member] LIBOR [Member]	Oct. 11, 2013 Second Lien Credit Agreement [Member] LIBOR [Member]	Oct. 11, 2013 Second Lien Credit Agreement [Member] Alternate Base Rate [Member]	Jun. 25, 2014 Second Lien Credit Agreement [Member] Second Lien Term Loan [Member]	Oct. 11, 2013 Second Lien Credit Agreement [Member] Second Lien Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit agreement	(i) the First Lien Credit Agreement, including a $190 million senior secured term loan (the "First Lien Term Loan") and the Revolver, each maturing in October 2018, and (ii) a new second lien credit agreement (the "Second Lien Credit Agreement") including the Second Lien Term Loan.
Senior secured term loan													$ 190,000,000
Debt instrument, stated percentage			17.00%
Debt maturity		2018-01		2017-07	2018-10
Applicable margin for lien credit agreement						4.25%		3.25%						8.50%		7.50%
Floor rate on term loan							1.00%								1.00%
Unamortized discount on term loan											816,000	950,000					871,000	1,000,000
Percentage of quarterly principal payments										0.25%
Revolving line of credit									15,000,000
Amount of borrowings available									7,700,000
Letters of credit outstanding									$ 7,300,000

Other Accrued Expenses and Current Liabilities - Schedule of Other Accrued Expenses and Current Liabilities (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 25, 2014	Dec. 25, 2013
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]
Accrued sales and property taxes	$ 2,949	$ 3,190
Other	5,210	4,635
Total other accrued expenses and current liabilities	$ 8,159	$ 7,825

Other Noncurrent Liabilities - Schedule of Other Noncurrent Liabilities (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 25, 2014	Dec. 25, 2013
Other Liabilities Noncurrent [Abstract]
Deferred rent	$ 6,780	$ 6,648
Other	1,497	1,396
Total noncurrent liabilities	$ 8,277	$ 8,044

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 25, 2014
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Date of class action filed in court	Around February 24, 2014
Officers [Member]
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Number of at-will employment agreements	4
Property Lease Guarantee [Member]
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Number of leases assigned to franchisees	2
Latest lease expiration year	2015
Contingent lease obligations, maximum exposure	$ 87,000
Contingent lease obligations, maximum exposure, if discounted at estimated pre-tax cost of debt	76,000
Beverage [Member]
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Purchase commitments, estimated obligations	21,500,000
Chicken [Member]
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Purchase commitments, estimated obligations	$ 15,800,000
Number of supplier contracts for chicken	2
Chicken [Member] \| Supplier One [Member]
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Contract termination period	2014-12
Chicken [Member] \| Supplier Two [Member]
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Contract termination period	2015-01

Subsequent Events - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	6 Months Ended		0 Months Ended			0 Months Ended						0 Months Ended			0 Months Ended
	Jun. 25, 2014	Jun. 25, 2014 Trimaran Fund Management, LLC [Member] Franchise Development Agreement [Member]	Jul. 30, 2014 Subsequent Event [Member] Restricted Grants [Member] Initial Public Offering [Member] Director	Jul. 30, 2014 Subsequent Event [Member] Non Executive Employees [Member] Initial Public Offering [Member]	Jul. 30, 2014 Subsequent Event [Member] Non Executive Employees [Member] Initial Public Offering [Member]	Jul. 30, 2014 Subsequent Event [Member] Non Executive Employees [Member] Stock Options [Member] Initial Public Offering [Member]	Jul. 30, 2014 Subsequent Event [Member] Directors [Member] Restricted Grants [Member] Initial Public Offering [Member]	Jul. 30, 2014 Subsequent Event [Member] Directors [Member] Restricted Grants [Member] Initial Public Offering [Member]	Jul. 08, 2014 Subsequent Event [Member] AA Pollo, Inc. [Member] Restaurants	Aug. 20, 2014 Subsequent Event [Member] AA Pollo, Inc. [Member] Franchise Development Agreement [Member] Restaurants	Jul. 08, 2014 Subsequent Event [Member] AA Pollo, Inc. [Member] Franchise Development Agreement [Member] Restaurants	Jul. 11, 2014 Subsequent Event [Member] Trimaran Fund Management, LLC [Member] Franchise Development Agreement [Member]	Jul. 11, 2014 Subsequent Event [Member] Trimaran Fund Management, LLC [Member] Initial Option [Member]	Jul. 11, 2014 Subsequent Event [Member] Trimaran Fund Management, LLC [Member] Initial Option [Member] Restaurants	Jul. 11, 2014 Subsequent Event [Member] Trimaran Fund Management, LLC [Member] Additional Option [Member]	Jul. 11, 2014 Subsequent Event [Member] Trimaran Fund Management, LLC [Member] Additional Option [Member] Restaurants
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Number of restaurants to be sold									6
Number of restaurants to develop and open under agreement										12	8			15		100
Number of years available under plan													5 years		10 years
Related party agreement, termination period												10 years
Related party agreement, termination description		The Franchise Development Option Agreement terminates (i) ten years after execution, or (ii) if the Initial Option is exercised, five years after that exercise.
Options to purchase common stock granted				223,183
Stock options exercise price				$ 15.00
Stock-based compensation expense to be incurred, options	$ 500,000				$ 1,300,000
Stock-based compensation expense to be incurred, recognition period	1 year 3 months 18 days					4 years
Number of directors granted shares			2
Restricted shares granted							3,333
Value of restricted grants							50,000
Vesting period of shares							3 years
Stock-based compensation expense to be incurred, restricted grants								$ 330,000