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  <element name="EquityMethodInvestmentsAndCostMethodInvestmentsAbstract" id="loco_EquityMethodInvestmentsAndCostMethodInvestmentsAbstract" type="xbrli:stringItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="ExcessStockOptionDeductionsMember" id="loco_ExcessStockOptionDeductionsMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="ExercisePriceOneMember" id="loco_ExercisePriceOneMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="ExercisePriceRangeFourMember" id="loco_ExercisePriceRangeFourMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="ExercisePriceRangeOneMember" id="loco_ExercisePriceRangeOneMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="ExercisePriceRangeThreeMember" id="loco_ExercisePriceRangeThreeMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="ExercisePriceRangeTwoMember" id="loco_ExercisePriceRangeTwoMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="ExercisePriceTwoMember" id="loco_ExercisePriceTwoMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="FiniteLivedIntangibleLiabilitiesAccumulatedAmortization" id="loco_FiniteLivedIntangibleLiabilitiesAccumulatedAmortization" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="debit" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="FiniteLivedIntangibleLiabilitiesAmortizationExpensesAfterYearFive" id="loco_FiniteLivedIntangibleLiabilitiesAmortizationExpensesAfterYearFive" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="credit" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="FiniteLivedIntangibleLiabilitiesAmortizationExpensesNextTwelveMonths" id="loco_FiniteLivedIntangibleLiabilitiesAmortizationExpensesNextTwelveMonths" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="credit" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="FiniteLivedIntangibleLiabilitiesAmortizationExpensesYearFive" id="loco_FiniteLivedIntangibleLiabilitiesAmortizationExpensesYearFive" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="credit" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="FiniteLivedIntangibleLiabilitiesAmortizationExpensesYearFour" id="loco_FiniteLivedIntangibleLiabilitiesAmortizationExpensesYearFour" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="credit" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="FiniteLivedIntangibleLiabilitiesAmortizationExpensesYearThree" id="loco_FiniteLivedIntangibleLiabilitiesAmortizationExpensesYearThree" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="credit" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="FiniteLivedIntangibleLiabilitiesAmortizationExpensesYearTwo" id="loco_FiniteLivedIntangibleLiabilitiesAmortizationExpensesYearTwo" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="credit" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="FiniteLivedIntangibleLiabilitiesGross" id="loco_FiniteLivedIntangibleLiabilitiesGross" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="credit" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="FirstLienCreditAgreementMember" id="loco_FirstLienCreditAgreementMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="FirstLienTermLoanDueTwentySeventeenMember" id="loco_FirstLienTermLoanDueTwentySeventeenMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="FirstLienTermLoanMember" id="loco_FirstLienTermLoanMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="FranchiseDevelopmentAdditionalOptionAgreementMember" id="loco_FranchiseDevelopmentAdditionalOptionAgreementMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="FranchiseDevelopmentAgreementMember" id="loco_FranchiseDevelopmentAgreementMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="FranchiseDevelopmentInitialOptionAgreementMember" id="loco_FranchiseDevelopmentInitialOptionAgreementMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="FranchiseDevelopmentOptionAgreementPolicyTextBlock" id="loco_FranchiseDevelopmentOptionAgreementPolicyTextBlock" type="nonnum:textBlockItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="FranchiseFeePercentage" id="loco_FranchiseFeePercentage" type="num:percentItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="FutureLeasePaymentsDueLineItems" id="loco_FutureLeasePaymentsDueLineItems" type="xbrli:stringItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="FutureLeasePaymentsDueTable" id="loco_FutureLeasePaymentsDueTable" type="xbrli:stringItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrldt:hypercubeItem"/>
  <element name="GainOnDispositionOfBusinessPolicyTextBlock" id="loco_GainOnDispositionOfBusinessPolicyTextBlock" type="nonnum:textBlockItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="GuaranteeObligationsMaximumNetExposure" id="loco_GuaranteeObligationsMaximumNetExposure" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="credit" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="HoustonTexasMember" id="loco_HoustonTexasMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="InsuranceReservePolicyTextBlock" id="loco_InsuranceReservePolicyTextBlock" type="nonnum:textBlockItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="IntangibleLiabilitiesNonCurrent" id="loco_IntangibleLiabilitiesNonCurrent" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="credit" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="IntangibleLiabilityDisclosureAbstract" id="loco_IntangibleLiabilityDisclosureAbstract" type="xbrli:stringItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="LeaseExpirationYear" id="loco_LeaseExpirationYear" type="xbrli:gYearItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="LicenseAgreementExpirationYear" id="loco_LicenseAgreementExpirationYear" type="xbrli:gYearItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="LosAngelesMember" id="loco_LosAngelesMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="NonExecutiveEmployeesMember" id="loco_NonExecutiveEmployeesMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="NumberOfContracts" id="loco_NumberOfContracts" type="xbrli:integerItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="NumberOfDirectors" id="loco_NumberOfDirectors" type="xbrli:integerItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="NumberOfEmploymentAgreements" id="loco_NumberOfEmploymentAgreements" type="xbrli:integerItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="NumberOfLeases" id="loco_NumberOfLeases" type="xbrli:integerItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="NumberOfRestaurantsSold" id="loco_NumberOfRestaurantsSold" type="xbrli:integerItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="NumberOfSuppliers" id="loco_NumberOfSuppliers" type="xbrli:integerItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="OtherEquipmentMember" id="loco_OtherEquipmentMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="PaidInKindInterestMember" id="loco_PaidInKindInterestMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="ParentCompanyOnlyFinancialInformationLineItems" id="loco_ParentCompanyOnlyFinancialInformationLineItems" type="xbrli:stringItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="PayableUnderTaxReceivableAgreementCurrent" id="loco_PayableUnderTaxReceivableAgreementCurrent" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="credit" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="PayableUnderTaxReceivableAgreementNoncurrent" id="loco_PayableUnderTaxReceivableAgreementNoncurrent" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="credit" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="PercentageOfOperatingLossCarryforwardsTaxSavingsPayableToPreInitialPublicOfferingStockholders" id="loco_PercentageOfOperatingLossCarryforwardsTaxSavingsPayableToPreInitialPublicOfferingStockholders" type="num:percentItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="PeriodFiveMember" id="loco_PeriodFiveMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="PeriodFourMember" id="loco_PeriodFourMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="PeriodOneMember" id="loco_PeriodOneMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="PeriodSixMember" id="loco_PeriodSixMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="PeriodThreeMember" id="loco_PeriodThreeMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="PeriodTwoMember" id="loco_PeriodTwoMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="PhilippinesMember" id="loco_PhilippinesMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="PremiumOptionsMember" id="loco_PremiumOptionsMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="PriorCreditAgreementMember" id="loco_PriorCreditAgreementMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="PropertyPlantAndEquipmentCapitalizedInterestCostsAbstract" id="loco_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentCapitalizedInterestCostsAbstract" type="xbrli:stringItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="PurchasedMember" id="loco_PurchasedMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="RegulatoryAssetsAbstract" id="loco_RegulatoryAssetsAbstract" type="xbrli:stringItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="RelatedPartyTransactionAnnualManagementFeeAmount" id="loco_RelatedPartyTransactionAnnualManagementFeeAmount" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="debit" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="RentalIncomeMember" id="loco_RentalIncomeMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="RestaurantEquipmentMember" id="loco_RestaurantEquipmentMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="SanAntonioTexasMember" id="loco_SanAntonioTexasMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="Scenario1Member" id="loco_Scenario1Member" type="nonnum:domainItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="Scenario2Member" id="loco_Scenario2Member" type="nonnum:domainItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="ScheduleOfEstimatedUsefulLivesOfAssetsTableTextBlock" id="loco_ScheduleOfEstimatedUsefulLivesOfAssetsTableTextBlock" type="nonnum:textBlockItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="ScheduleOfIntangibleAssetsAndGoodwillLineItems" id="loco_ScheduleOfIntangibleAssetsAndGoodwillLineItems" type="xbrli:stringItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="ScheduleOfIntangibleAssetsAndGoodwillTable" id="loco_ScheduleOfIntangibleAssetsAndGoodwillTable" type="xbrli:stringItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrldt:hypercubeItem"/>
  <element name="ScheduleOfSaleOfSubsidiaryAbstract" id="loco_ScheduleOfSaleOfSubsidiaryAbstract" type="xbrli:stringItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="SecondLienCreditAgreementMember" id="loco_SecondLienCreditAgreementMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="SecondLienFacilityMember" id="loco_SecondLienFacilityMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="SeniorSecuredNotesDueTwoThousandEighteenMember" id="loco_SeniorSecuredNotesDueTwoThousandEighteenMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="SeniorSecuredNotesDueTwoThousandsSeventeenMember" id="loco_SeniorSecuredNotesDueTwoThousandsSeventeenMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="SeniorSecuredTermLoanMember" id="loco_SeniorSecuredTermLoanMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="ShareholdersEquityLineItems" id="loco_ShareholdersEquityLineItems" type="xbrli:stringItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="ShareholdersEquityTable" id="loco_ShareholdersEquityTable" type="xbrli:stringItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrldt:hypercubeItem"/>
  <element name="StockholdersEquityExcludingPortionAttributableToSubsidiariesNoncontrollingInterestAbstract" id="loco_StockholdersEquityExcludingPortionAttributableToSubsidiariesNoncontrollingInterestAbstract" type="xbrli:stringItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="SupplierOneMember" id="loco_SupplierOneMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="SupplierTwoMember" id="loco_SupplierTwoMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="TaxReceivableAgreementExpenses" id="loco_TaxReceivableAgreementExpenses" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="debit" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="TermAvailableUnderPlanToDevelopAndOpenRestaurants" id="loco_TermAvailableUnderPlanToDevelopAndOpenRestaurants" type="xbrli:durationItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="TrimaranFundManagementLlcMember" id="loco_TrimaranFundManagementLlcMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="WriteOffOfDebtDiscount" id="loco_WriteOffOfDebtDiscount" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="debit" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
</schema>





