v3.8.0.1
Document and Entity Information - shares
3 Months Ended
Mar. 28, 2018
Apr. 23, 2018
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]    
Document Type 10-Q  
Amendment Flag false  
Document Period End Date Mar. 28, 2018  
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2018  
Document Fiscal Period Focus Q1  
Trading Symbol LOCO  
Entity Registrant Name El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc.  
Entity Central Index Key 0001606366  
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-26  
Entity Filer Category Accelerated Filer  
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (shares)   38,636,038