

<!-- RR Donnelley Xcelerate Taxonomy Schema, based on XBRL 2.1  http://www.rrdonnelley.com/ -->
<!-- Version: 6.22.4 -->
<!-- Round: 6 -->
<!-- Creation date: 2015-03-16T20:51:55Z -->
<!-- Copyright (c) 2005-2013 R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company All Rights Reserved. -->
<schema xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema"
  xmlns:xbrli="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance"
  xmlns:link="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase"
  xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"
  xmlns:us-gaap="http://fasb.org/us-gaap/2014-01-31"
  xmlns:us-types="http://fasb.org/us-types/2014-01-31"
  xmlns:loco="http://www.elpolloloco.com/20141231"
  xmlns:nonnum="http://www.xbrl.org/dtr/type/non-numeric"
  xmlns:num="http://www.xbrl.org/dtr/type/numeric"
  xmlns:xbrldt="http://xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt"
  xmlns:country="http://xbrl.sec.gov/country/2013-01-31"
  xmlns:currency="http://xbrl.sec.gov/currency/2014-01-31"
  xmlns:dei="http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2014-01-31"
  xmlns:exch="http://xbrl.sec.gov/exch/2014-01-31"
  xmlns:invest="http://xbrl.sec.gov/invest/2013-01-31"
  xmlns:naics="http://xbrl.sec.gov/naics/2011-01-31"
  xmlns:sic="http://xbrl.sec.gov/sic/2011-01-31"
  xmlns:stpr="http://xbrl.sec.gov/stpr/2011-01-31"
  targetNamespace="http://www.elpolloloco.com/20141231"
  elementFormDefault="qualified" attributeFormDefault="unqualified">
  <annotation>
    <appinfo>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.elpolloloco.com/taxonomy/role/DocumentandEntityInformation" id="DocumentandEntityInformation">
        <link:definition>101 - Document - Document and Entity Information</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.elpolloloco.com/taxonomy/role/StatementOfFinancialPositionClassified" id="Role_StatementOfFinancialPositionClassified">
        <link:definition>103 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.elpolloloco.com/taxonomy/role/StatementOfFinancialPositionClassifiedParenthetical" id="Role_StatementOfFinancialPositionClassifiedParen">
        <link:definition>104 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.elpolloloco.com/taxonomy/role/StatementOfIncome" id="Role_StatementOfIncome">
        <link:definition>105 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Operations</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.elpolloloco.com/taxonomy/role/StatementOfIncomeParenthetical" id="Role_StatementOfIncomeParen">
        <link:definition>106 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Operations (Parenthetical)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.elpolloloco.com/taxonomy/role/StatementOfShareholdersEquityAndOtherComprehensiveIncome" id="Role_StatementOfShareholdersEquityAndOtherComprehensiveIncome">
        <link:definition>107 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.elpolloloco.com/taxonomy/role/StatementOfShareholdersEquityAndOtherComprehensiveIncomeParenthetical" id="Role_StatementOfShareholdersEquityAndOtherComprehensiveIncomeParen">
        <link:definition>108 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity (Parenthetical)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.elpolloloco.com/taxonomy/role/StatementOfCashFlowsDirect" id="Role_StatementOfCashFlowsDirect">
        <link:definition>109 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.elpolloloco.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsNatureOfOperations" id="Role_NotesToFinancialStatementsNatureOfOperations">
        <link:definition>110 - Disclosure - Description of Business</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.elpolloloco.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsSignificantAccountingPoliciesTextBlock" id="Role_NotesToFinancialStatementsSignificantAccountingPoliciesTextBlock">
        <link:definition>111 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.elpolloloco.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsPropertyPlantAndEquipmentDisclosureTextBlock" id="Role_NotesToFinancialStatementsPropertyPlantAndEquipmentDisclosureTextBlock">
        <link:definition>112 - Disclosure - Property and Equipment</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.elpolloloco.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsGoodwillAndIntangibleAssetsDisclosureTextBlock" id="Role_NotesToFinancialStatementsGoodwillAndIntangibleAssetsDisclosureTextBlock">
        <link:definition>113 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets and Liabilities</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.elpolloloco.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsLeasesOfLesseeDisclosureTextBlock" id="Role_NotesToFinancialStatementsLeasesOfLesseeDisclosureTextBlock">
        <link:definition>114 - Disclosure - Leases</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.elpolloloco.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsDebtDisclosureTextBlock" id="Role_NotesToFinancialStatementsDebtDisclosureTextBlock">
        <link:definition>115 - Disclosure - Credit Agreements</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.elpolloloco.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsAccountsPayableAccruedLiabilitiesAndOtherLiabilitiesDisclosureCurrentTextBlock" id="Role_NotesToFinancialStatementsAccountsPayableAccruedLiabilitiesAndOtherLiabilitiesDisclosureCurrentTextBlock">
        <link:definition>116 - Disclosure - Other Accrued Expenses and Current Liabilities</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.elpolloloco.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsAccountsPayableAccruedLiabilitiesAndOtherLiabilitiesDisclosureNoncurrentTextBlock" id="Role_NotesToFinancialStatementsAccountsPayableAccruedLiabilitiesAndOtherLiabilitiesDisclosureNoncurrentTextBlock">
        <link:definition>117 - Disclosure - Other Noncurrent Liabilities</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.elpolloloco.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsIncomeTaxDisclosureTextBlock" id="Role_NotesToFinancialStatementsIncomeTaxDisclosureTextBlock">
        <link:definition>118 - Disclosure - Income Taxes</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.elpolloloco.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsCompensationAndEmployeeBenefitPlansTextBlock" id="Role_NotesToFinancialStatementsCompensationAndEmployeeBenefitPlansTextBlock">
        <link:definition>119 - Disclosure - Employee Benefit Plans</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.elpolloloco.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsDisclosureOfCompensationRelatedCostsShareBasedPaymentsTextBlock" id="Role_NotesToFinancialStatementsDisclosureOfCompensationRelatedCostsShareBasedPaymentsTextBlock">
        <link:definition>120 - Disclosure - Stock-Based Compensation</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.elpolloloco.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsEarningsPerShareTextBlock" id="Role_NotesToFinancialStatementsEarningsPerShareTextBlock">
        <link:definition>121 - Disclosure - Net Income (Loss) Per Share</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.elpolloloco.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsCommitmentsAndContingenciesDisclosureTextBlock" id="Role_NotesToFinancialStatementsCommitmentsAndContingenciesDisclosureTextBlock">
        <link:definition>122 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.elpolloloco.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsRelatedPartyTransactionsDisclosureTextBlock" id="Role_NotesToFinancialStatementsRelatedPartyTransactionsDisclosureTextBlock">
        <link:definition>123 - Disclosure - Related Party Transactions</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.elpolloloco.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsStockholdersEquityNoteDisclosureTextBlock" id="Role_NotesToFinancialStatementsStockholdersEquityNoteDisclosureTextBlock">
        <link:definition>124 - Disclosure - Stock Split, Authorization of Additional Shares, and Initial Public Offering</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.elpolloloco.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsQuarterlyFinancialInformationTextBlock" id="Role_NotesToFinancialStatementsQuarterlyFinancialInformationTextBlock">
        <link:definition>125 - Disclosure - Quarterly Results of Operations</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.elpolloloco.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsSignificantAccountingPoliciesTextBlockPolicies" id="Role_NotesToFinancialStatementsSignificantAccountingPoliciesTextBlockPolicies">
        <link:definition>126 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.elpolloloco.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsSignificantAccountingPoliciesTextBlockTables" id="Role_NotesToFinancialStatementsSignificantAccountingPoliciesTextBlockTables">
        <link:definition>127 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.elpolloloco.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsPropertyPlantAndEquipmentDisclosureTextBlockTables" id="Role_NotesToFinancialStatementsPropertyPlantAndEquipmentDisclosureTextBlockTables">
        <link:definition>128 - Disclosure - Property and Equipment (Tables)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.elpolloloco.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsGoodwillAndIntangibleAssetsDisclosureTextBlockTables" id="Role_NotesToFinancialStatementsGoodwillAndIntangibleAssetsDisclosureTextBlockTables">
        <link:definition>129 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets and Liabilities (Tables)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.elpolloloco.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsLeasesOfLesseeDisclosureTextBlockTables" id="Role_NotesToFinancialStatementsLeasesOfLesseeDisclosureTextBlockTables">
        <link:definition>130 - Disclosure - Leases (Tables)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.elpolloloco.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsAccountsPayableAccruedLiabilitiesAndOtherLiabilitiesDisclosureCurrentTextBlockTables" id="Role_NotesToFinancialStatementsAccountsPayableAccruedLiabilitiesAndOtherLiabilitiesDisclosureCurrentTextBlockTables">
        <link:definition>131 - Disclosure - Other Accrued Expenses and Current Liabilities (Tables)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.elpolloloco.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsAccountsPayableAccruedLiabilitiesAndOtherLiabilitiesDisclosureNoncurrentTextBlockTables" id="Role_NotesToFinancialStatementsAccountsPayableAccruedLiabilitiesAndOtherLiabilitiesDisclosureNoncurrentTextBlockTables">
        <link:definition>132 - Disclosure - Other Noncurrent Liabilities (Tables)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.elpolloloco.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsIncomeTaxDisclosureTextBlockTables" id="Role_NotesToFinancialStatementsIncomeTaxDisclosureTextBlockTables">
        <link:definition>133 - Disclosure - Income Taxes (Tables)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.elpolloloco.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsDisclosureOfCompensationRelatedCostsShareBasedPaymentsTextBlockTables" id="Role_NotesToFinancialStatementsDisclosureOfCompensationRelatedCostsShareBasedPaymentsTextBlockTables">
        <link:definition>134 - Disclosure - Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.elpolloloco.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsEarningsPerShareTextBlockTables" id="Role_NotesToFinancialStatementsEarningsPerShareTextBlockTables">
        <link:definition>135 - Disclosure - Net Income (Loss) Per Share (Tables)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.elpolloloco.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsQuarterlyFinancialInformationTextBlockTables" id="Role_NotesToFinancialStatementsQuarterlyFinancialInformationTextBlockTables">
        <link:definition>136 - Disclosure - Quarterly Results of Operations (Tables)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.elpolloloco.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureDescriptionOfBusinessAdditionalInformation" id="DisclosureDescriptionOfBusinessAdditionalInformation">
        <link:definition>137 - Disclosure - Description of Business - Additional Information (Detail)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.elpolloloco.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesAdditionalInformation" id="DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesAdditionalInformation">
        <link:definition>138 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.elpolloloco.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSummaryOfEstimatedUsefulServiceLives" id="DisclosureSummaryOfEstimatedUsefulServiceLives">
        <link:definition>139 - Disclosure - Summary of Estimated Useful Service Lives (Detail)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.elpolloloco.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIntangibleAssetsAndLiabilitiesEstimatedUsefulLives" id="DisclosureIntangibleAssetsAndLiabilitiesEstimatedUsefulLives">
        <link:definition>140 - Disclosure - Intangible Assets and Liabilities Estimated Useful Lives (Detail)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.elpolloloco.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePropertyAndEquipmentScheduleOfCostsAndRelatedAccumulatedDepreciationAndAmortizationOfMajorClassesOfProperty" id="DisclosurePropertyAndEquipmentScheduleOfCostsAndRelatedAccumulatedDepreciationAndAmortizationOfMajorClassesOfProperty">
        <link:definition>141 - Disclosure - Property and Equipment - Schedule of Costs and Related Accumulated Depreciation and Amortization of Major Classes of Property (Detail)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.elpolloloco.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePropertyAndEquipmentAdditionalInformation" id="DisclosurePropertyAndEquipmentAdditionalInformation">
        <link:definition>142 - Disclosure - Property and Equipment - Additional Information (Detail)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.elpolloloco.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureGoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsAndLiabilitiesScheduleOfGoodwill" id="DisclosureGoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsAndLiabilitiesScheduleOfGoodwill">
        <link:definition>143 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets and Liabilities - Schedule of Goodwill (Detail)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.elpolloloco.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureGoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsAndLiabilitiesAdditionalInformation" id="DisclosureGoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsAndLiabilitiesAdditionalInformation">
        <link:definition>144 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Other Intangible assets and Liabilities - Additional Information (Detail)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.elpolloloco.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureGoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsAndLiabilitiesScheduleOfDomesticTrademarks" id="DisclosureGoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsAndLiabilitiesScheduleOfDomesticTrademarks">
        <link:definition>145 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets and Liabilities - Schedule of Domestic Trademarks (Detail)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.elpolloloco.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureGoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsAndLiabilitiesScheduleOfIntangibleAssetsSubjectToAmortization" id="DisclosureGoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsAndLiabilitiesScheduleOfIntangibleAssetsSubjectToAmortization">
        <link:definition>146 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets and Liabilities - Schedule of Intangible Assets Subject to Amortization (Detail)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.elpolloloco.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureGoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsAndLiabilitiesScheduleOfEstimatedNetAmortization" id="DisclosureGoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsAndLiabilitiesScheduleOfEstimatedNetAmortization">
        <link:definition>147 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets and Liabilities - Schedule of Estimated Net Amortization (Detail)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.elpolloloco.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureLeasesAdditionalInformation" id="DisclosureLeasesAdditionalInformation">
        <link:definition>148 - Disclosure - Leases - Additional Information (Detail)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.elpolloloco.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureLeasesScheduleOfFutureLeasesObligations" id="DisclosureLeasesScheduleOfFutureLeasesObligations">
        <link:definition>149 - Disclosure - Leases - Schedule of Future Leases Obligations (Detail)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.elpolloloco.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureLeasesScheduleOfFutureLeasesObligationsParenthetical" id="DisclosureLeasesScheduleOfFutureLeasesObligationsParenthetical">
        <link:definition>150 - Disclosure - Leases - Schedule of Future Leases Obligations (Parenthetical) (Detail)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.elpolloloco.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureLeasesScheduleOfRentExpense" id="DisclosureLeasesScheduleOfRentExpense">
        <link:definition>151 - Disclosure - Leases - Schedule of Rent Expense (Detail)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.elpolloloco.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureLeasesScheduleOfMinimumFutureRentalIncomeUnderNonCancelableOperatingLease" id="DisclosureLeasesScheduleOfMinimumFutureRentalIncomeUnderNonCancelableOperatingLease">
        <link:definition>152 - Disclosure - Leases - Schedule of Minimum Future Rental Income Under Non-Cancelable Operating Lease (Detail)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.elpolloloco.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureNewCreditAgreementsAdditionalInformation" id="DisclosureNewCreditAgreementsAdditionalInformation">
        <link:definition>153 - Disclosure - New Credit Agreements - Additional Information (Detail)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.elpolloloco.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePriorCreditAgreementsAdditionalInformation" id="DisclosurePriorCreditAgreementsAdditionalInformation">
        <link:definition>154 - Disclosure - Prior Credit Agreements - Additional Information (Detail)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.elpolloloco.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureOtherAccruedExpensesAndCurrentLiabilitiesScheduleOfOtherAccruedExpensesAndCurrentLiabilities" id="DisclosureOtherAccruedExpensesAndCurrentLiabilitiesScheduleOfOtherAccruedExpensesAndCurrentLiabilities">
        <link:definition>155 - Disclosure - Other Accrued Expenses and Current Liabilities - Schedule of Other Accrued Expenses and Current Liabilities (Detail)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.elpolloloco.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureOtherNoncurrentLiabilitiesScheduleOfOtherNoncurrentLiabilities" id="DisclosureOtherNoncurrentLiabilitiesScheduleOfOtherNoncurrentLiabilities">
        <link:definition>156 - Disclosure - Other Noncurrent Liabilities - Schedule of Other Noncurrent Liabilities (Detail)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.elpolloloco.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesScheduleOfProvisionOfIncomeTaxes" id="DisclosureIncomeTaxesScheduleOfProvisionOfIncomeTaxes">
        <link:definition>157 - Disclosure - Income Taxes - Schedule of Provision of Income Taxes (Detail)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.elpolloloco.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesScheduleOfEffectiveIncomeTaxRate" id="DisclosureIncomeTaxesScheduleOfEffectiveIncomeTaxRate">
        <link:definition>158 - Disclosure - Income Taxes - Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate (Detail)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.elpolloloco.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesScheduleOfEffectiveIncomeTaxRateParenthetical" id="DisclosureIncomeTaxesScheduleOfEffectiveIncomeTaxRateParenthetical">
        <link:definition>159 - Disclosure - Income Taxes - Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate (Parenthetical) (Detail)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.elpolloloco.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesAdditionalInformation" id="DisclosureIncomeTaxesAdditionalInformation">
        <link:definition>160 - Disclosure - Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.elpolloloco.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesScheduleOfDeferredTaxAssetsAndLiabilities" id="DisclosureIncomeTaxesScheduleOfDeferredTaxAssetsAndLiabilities">
        <link:definition>161 - Disclosure - Income Taxes - Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Detail)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.elpolloloco.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesScheduleOfDeferredTaxAssetsAndLiabilitiesCurrentNonCurrentClassification" id="DisclosureIncomeTaxesScheduleOfDeferredTaxAssetsAndLiabilitiesCurrentNonCurrentClassification">
        <link:definition>162 - Disclosure - Income Taxes - Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities - Current Non Current Classification (Detail)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.elpolloloco.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureEmployeeBenefitPlansAdditionalInformation" id="DisclosureEmployeeBenefitPlansAdditionalInformation">
        <link:definition>163 - Disclosure - Employee Benefit Plans - Additional Information (Detail)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.elpolloloco.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureStockBasedCompensationAdditionalInformation" id="DisclosureStockBasedCompensationAdditionalInformation">
        <link:definition>164 - Disclosure - Stock-Based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.elpolloloco.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureChangesInStockOptions" id="DisclosureChangesInStockOptions">
        <link:definition>165 - Disclosure - Changes in Stock Options (Detail)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.elpolloloco.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSummaryOfStockOptions" id="DisclosureSummaryOfStockOptions">
        <link:definition>166 - Disclosure - Summary of Stock Options (Detail)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.elpolloloco.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureScheduleOfChangesInRestrictedShares" id="DisclosureScheduleOfChangesInRestrictedShares">
        <link:definition>167 - Disclosure - Schedule of Changes in Restricted Shares (Detail)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.elpolloloco.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureNetIncomeLossPerShareComputationOfBasicAndDilutedNetLossPerShare" id="DisclosureNetIncomeLossPerShareComputationOfBasicAndDilutedNetLossPerShare">
        <link:definition>168 - Disclosure - Net Income (Loss) Per Share - Computation of Basic and Diluted Net Loss per Share (Detail)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.elpolloloco.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureNetIncomeLossPerShareAdditionalInformation" id="DisclosureNetIncomeLossPerShareAdditionalInformation">
        <link:definition>169 - Disclosure - Net Income (Loss) Per Share - Additional Information (Detail)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.elpolloloco.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureNetIncomeLossPerShareScheduleOfReconciliationOfBasicAndDilutedShareCounts" id="DisclosureNetIncomeLossPerShareScheduleOfReconciliationOfBasicAndDilutedShareCounts">
        <link:definition>170 - Disclosure - Net Income (Loss) Per Share - Schedule of Reconciliation of Basic and Diluted Share Counts (Detail)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.elpolloloco.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingenciesAdditionalInformation" id="DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingenciesAdditionalInformation">
        <link:definition>171 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.elpolloloco.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureRelatedPartyTransactionsAdditionalInformation" id="DisclosureRelatedPartyTransactionsAdditionalInformation">
        <link:definition>172 - Disclosure - Related Party Transactions - Additional Information (Detail)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.elpolloloco.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureStockSplitAuthorizationOfAdditionalSharesAndInitialPublicOfferingAdditionalInformation" id="DisclosureStockSplitAuthorizationOfAdditionalSharesAndInitialPublicOfferingAdditionalInformation">
        <link:definition>173 - Disclosure - Stock Split, Authorization of Additional Shares, and Initial Public Offering - Additional Information (Detail)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.elpolloloco.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureQuarterlyFinancialInformationScheduleOfQuarterlyFinancialInformation" id="DisclosureQuarterlyFinancialInformationScheduleOfQuarterlyFinancialInformation">
        <link:definition>174 - Disclosure - Quarterly Financial Information - Schedule of Quarterly Financial Information (Detail)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.elpolloloco.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureQuarterlyFinancialInformationScheduleOfQuarterlyFinancialInformationParenthetical" id="DisclosureQuarterlyFinancialInformationScheduleOfQuarterlyFinancialInformationParenthetical">
        <link:definition>175 - Disclosure - Quarterly Financial Information - Schedule of Quarterly Financial Information (Parenthetical) (Detail)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.elpolloloco.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureLeasesScheduleOfFutureLeasesObligationsAlternate1" id="DisclosureLeasesScheduleOfFutureLeasesObligationsAlt1">
        <link:definition>176 - Disclosure - Leases - Schedule of Future Leases Obligations (Detail) (Alternate 1)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:linkbaseRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:arcrole="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink/properties/linkbase" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/calculationLinkbaseRef" xlink:href="loco-20141231_cal.xml" xlink:title="Calculation Links, all"/>
      <link:linkbaseRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:arcrole="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink/properties/linkbase" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/definitionLinkbaseRef" xlink:href="loco-20141231_def.xml" xlink:title="Definition Links, all"/>
      <link:linkbaseRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:arcrole="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink/properties/linkbase" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/labelLinkbaseRef" xlink:href="loco-20141231_lab.xml" xlink:title="Label Links, all"/>
      <link:linkbaseRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:arcrole="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink/properties/linkbase" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationLinkbaseRef" xlink:href="loco-20141231_pre.xml" xlink:title="Presentation Links, all"/>
    </appinfo>
  </annotation>
  <import namespace="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance" schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/xbrl-instance-2003-12-31.xsd"/>
  <import namespace="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase" schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/xbrl-linkbase-2003-12-31.xsd"/>
  <import namespace="http://fasb.org/us-types/2014-01-31" schemaLocation="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-types-2014-01-31.xsd"/>
  <import namespace="http://www.xbrl.org/dtr/type/non-numeric" schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/dtr/type/nonNumeric-2009-12-16.xsd"/>
  <import namespace="http://www.xbrl.org/dtr/type/numeric" schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/dtr/type/numeric-2009-12-16.xsd"/>
  <import namespace="http://xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt" schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd"/>
  <import namespace="http://fasb.org/us-gaap/2014-01-31" schemaLocation="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd"/>
  <import namespace="http://xbrl.sec.gov/country/2013-01-31" schemaLocation="http://xbrl.sec.gov/country/2013/country-2013-01-31.xsd"/>
  <import namespace="http://xbrl.sec.gov/currency/2014-01-31" schemaLocation="http://xbrl.sec.gov/currency/2014/currency-2014-01-31.xsd"/>
  <import namespace="http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2014-01-31" schemaLocation="http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2014/dei-2014-01-31.xsd"/>
  <import namespace="http://xbrl.sec.gov/exch/2014-01-31" schemaLocation="http://xbrl.sec.gov/exch/2014/exch-2014-01-31.xsd"/>
  <import namespace="http://xbrl.sec.gov/invest/2013-01-31" schemaLocation="http://xbrl.sec.gov/invest/2013/invest-2013-01-31.xsd"/>
  <import namespace="http://xbrl.sec.gov/naics/2011-01-31" schemaLocation="http://xbrl.sec.gov/naics/2011/naics-2011-01-31.xsd"/>
  <import namespace="http://xbrl.sec.gov/sic/2011-01-31" schemaLocation="http://xbrl.sec.gov/sic/2011/sic-2011-01-31.xsd"/>
  <import namespace="http://xbrl.sec.gov/stpr/2011-01-31" schemaLocation="http://xbrl.sec.gov/stpr/2011/stpr-2011-01-31.xsd"/>
  <element name="AccumulatedImpairmentLossesIntangibleAssets" id="loco_AccumulatedImpairmentLossesIntangibleAssets" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="credit" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="AdditionalMember" id="loco_AdditionalMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="AgreementTerminationPeriod" id="loco_AgreementTerminationPeriod" type="xbrli:durationItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="AnnualDividendsReceivableFromSubsidiaries" id="loco_AnnualDividendsReceivableFromSubsidiaries" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="debit" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="AverageUnitVolumeOfSales" id="loco_AverageUnitVolumeOfSales" type="us-types:perUnitItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="BasisOfPresentationAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesLineItems" id="loco_BasisOfPresentationAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesLineItems" type="xbrli:stringItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="BasisOfPresentationAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesTable" id="loco_BasisOfPresentationAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesTable" type="xbrli:stringItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrldt:hypercubeItem"/>
  <element name="BeverageMember" id="loco_BeverageMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="CashInterestMember" id="loco_CashInterestMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="CashlessExerciseOfStockOptions" id="loco_CashlessExerciseOfStockOptions" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="credit" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="ChickenAcquisitionCorpMember" id="loco_ChickenAcquisitionCorpMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="ChickenMember" id="loco_ChickenMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="CompanyOperatedPropertiesMember" id="loco_CompanyOperatedPropertiesMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="ComparableRestaurantSalesGrowthAbstract" id="loco_ComparableRestaurantSalesGrowthAbstract" type="xbrli:stringItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="ContributionMargin" id="loco_ContributionMargin" type="num:percentItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="CreditAgreementTwoThousandFourteenMember" id="loco_CreditAgreementTwoThousandFourteenMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="CreditAgreementTwoThousandThirteenMember" id="loco_CreditAgreementTwoThousandThirteenMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="CreditFacilityPercentageOfPeriodicPrincipalPayment" id="loco_CreditFacilityPercentageOfPeriodicPrincipalPayment" type="num:percentItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="DebtInstrumentFloorInterestRate" id="loco_DebtInstrumentFloorInterestRate" type="num:percentItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="instant" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="DebtInstrumentInterestPaymentTerms" id="loco_DebtInstrumentInterestPaymentTerms" type="xbrli:stringItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="DebtInstrumentMaturityMonth" id="loco_DebtInstrumentMaturityMonth" type="xbrli:gYearMonthItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="DebtRefinancingCosts" id="loco_DebtRefinancingCosts" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="debit" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="DeferredTaxAssetsPercentageOfValuationAllowance" id="loco_DeferredTaxAssetsPercentageOfValuationAllowance" type="num:percentItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="DeferredTaxesInConsolidatedBalanceSheetsTableTextBlock" id="loco_DeferredTaxesInConsolidatedBalanceSheetsTableTextBlock" type="nonnum:textBlockItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="DescriptionOfBusinessLineItems" id="loco_DescriptionOfBusinessLineItems" type="xbrli:stringItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="DescriptionOfBusinessTable" id="loco_DescriptionOfBusinessTable" type="xbrli:stringItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrldt:hypercubeItem"/>
  <element name="DevelopmentMember" id="loco_DevelopmentMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="DilutiveSecuritiesIncludedAndAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems" id="loco_DilutiveSecuritiesIncludedAndAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems" type="xbrli:stringItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="DividendsReceivableFromSubsidiaries" id="loco_DividendsReceivableFromSubsidiaries" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="debit" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="DocumentAndEntityInformationAbstract" id="loco_DocumentAndEntityInformationAbstract" type="xbrli:stringItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="EquityMethodInvestmentsAndCostMethodInvestmentsAbstract" id="loco_EquityMethodInvestmentsAndCostMethodInvestmentsAbstract" type="xbrli:stringItemType" 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="FirstInterestRateCapMember" id="loco_FirstInterestRateCapMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" 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="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="FranchiseDevelopmentOptionAgreementWithRelatedPartyPolicyTextBlock" id="loco_FranchiseDevelopmentOptionAgreementWithRelatedPartyPolicyTextBlock" 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="GuaranteeObligationsMaximumNetExposure" id="loco_GuaranteeObligationsMaximumNetExposure" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="credit" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="IncomeTaxExpenseBenefitTaxReceivableAgreement" id="loco_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefitTaxReceivableAgreement" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="debit" 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="LargestSupplierOneMember" id="loco_LargestSupplierOneMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="LargestSupplierTwoMember" id="loco_LargestSupplierTwoMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" 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="MarginRateMember" id="loco_MarginRateMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" abstract="true" 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="NumberOfInterestRateCapAgreements" id="loco_NumberOfInterestRateCapAgreements" type="xbrli:integerItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="NumberOfLargestSuppliers" id="loco_NumberOfLargestSuppliers" 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="NumberOfSuppliers" id="loco_NumberOfSuppliers" type="xbrli:integerItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="OperatingDataAbstract" id="loco_OperatingDataAbstract" type="xbrli:stringItemType" abstract="true" 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="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="PercentageOfMembershipInterests" id="loco_PercentageOfMembershipInterests" type="num:percentItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="duration" 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="SalesGrowthPercentage" id="loco_SalesGrowthPercentage" type="num:percentItemType" abstract="false" 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="ScheduleOfQuarterlyFinancialInformationLineItems" id="loco_ScheduleOfQuarterlyFinancialInformationLineItems" type="xbrli:stringItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="ScheduleOfQuarterlyFinancialInformationTable" id="loco_ScheduleOfQuarterlyFinancialInformationTable" 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="SecondInterestRateCapMember" id="loco_SecondInterestRateCapMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" 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="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedAndExpirationsInPeriod" id="loco_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedAndExpirationsInPeriod" type="xbrli:sharesItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresAndExpiredWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" id="loco_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresAndExpiredWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" type="num:perShareItemType" abstract="false" 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="StateTaxCreditCarryforwardPeriod" id="loco_StateTaxCreditCarryforwardPeriod" type="xbrli:durationItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="SupplierFourMember" id="loco_SupplierFourMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" 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="SupplierThreeMember" id="loco_SupplierThreeMember" 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="SwingLineLoansMember" id="loco_SwingLineLoansMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item"/>
  <element name="SystemWideMember" id="loco_SystemWideMember" 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>





