v3.19.1
Document and Entity Information - shares
3 Months Ended
Mar. 27, 2019
Apr. 26, 2019
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]    
Document Type 10-Q  
Amendment Flag false  
Document Period End Date Mar. 27, 2019  
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2019  
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 --12-25  
Entity Filer Category Accelerated Filer  
Emerging Growth Company true  
Small Business Entity false  
Entity Ex Transition Period true  
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   38,433,201