El Pollo Loco
Costa Mesa, California, United States · Food and Beverage, Food And Beverage, Hospitality
In 1980 the first American El Pollo Loco opened on Alvarado Street in Los Angeles, quickly becoming a destination for the best citrus-marinated, fire-grilled pollo in town. Over the past four decades, El Pollo Loco has grown into more than 490 restaurants across 6 states becoming an L.A. mainstay and cultural benchmark along the way. And today, we continue to work just as hard to always provide cu
Key facts
- Headquarters
- Costa Mesa, California, United States
- Employees
- 5,001
- Industries
- Food and Beverage, Food And Beverage, Hospitality
- Status
- Public (LOCO)
- Website
- www.elpolloloco.com
- Company page
Recent activity at El Pollo Loco
- : El Pollo Loco Appoints Damon Thomas as Chief Operating Officer and Tara Hinkle as Chief Development Officer
- : Damon Thomas Appointed Chief Operating Officer at El Pollo Loco
- : SEC 8-K (5.02): On September 21, 2026, El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. announced the appointment of Damon Thomas as Chief Operating Officer. This appointment is effective immediately as of the same date, September 21, 2026. Damon Thomas, age 49, previously held the position of Senior Vice President of Operations at Shake Shack Enterprises from August 2023 until September 2026. He will directly report to Chief Executive Officer Elizabeth "Liz" Williams, indicating a strategic shift in leadership to enhance operational management at the company.
- : SEC 8-K (5.02): El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. reported a departure and subsequent election of directors following the approval of amendments to their Equity Incentive Plan by stockholders. At their annual meeting on May 26, 2026, shareholders approved an increase in shares available for awards under the plan by 1,250,000 shares. The meeting also involved voting on the election of two directors to serve until the 2027 annual meeting, with the nominees receiving approximately 22 million votes each. The results highlight significant engagement from shareholders regarding governance and compensation practices.
- : SEC 8-K (8.01): On May 28, 2026, El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. announced that its Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program authorizing the repurchase of up to $40,000,000 in shares of the Company's Common Stock. The Repurchase Program allows for shares to be bought back through various means including open market transactions and privately negotiated deals, adhering to SEC Rule 10b-18. The timing and quantity of repurchases will be at the discretion of management, influenced by market conditions and other business factors. This program is authorized for an open-ended term and provides the flexibility to modify or suspend as needed.
- : SEC 8-K (5.02): On January 27, 2026, Mark Buller resigned from the Board of Directors of El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc., effective February 28, 2026. His resignation was not due to any disagreement with the company. In the same meeting, the Board appointed Frank Garrido as an independent director, effective March 1, 2026, to fill the vacancy left by Mr. Buller. Mr. Garrido, currently the Executive Vice President – Chief Restaurant Officer of Domino’s Pizza, Inc., brings extensive restaurant leadership experience and will receive compensation consistent with other non-employee directors. There were no transactions requiring disclosure per Regulation S-K's Item 404(a) concerning his appointment.
- : SEC 8-K (5.02):
- : SEC 8-K (5.02): On December 10, 2025, El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. experienced significant changes in its Board of Directors. Both William R. Floyd and Samuel N. Borgese resigned from their positions without any disagreements with the company, creating vacancies on the Board. In response, on the same day, the Board appointed Robert D. Wright and Tana Davila as independent directors, effective January 1, 2026. This change may impact the company's governance and decision-making processes as new members take their positions.
- : SEC 8-K (5.02): On November 20, 2025, El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. reported the departure of Maria Hollandsworth from her position as President and Chief Operating Officer, with her final separation date set for December 26, 2025. As per her employment agreement, she will receive accrued benefits and subsidized insurance coverage under COBRA, contingent upon her signing a release. Notably, her restricted stock awards and stock options that would have vested between her separation and May 31, 2026, will be accelerated to vest upon her departure. This leadership change may impact the company's strategic direction and operational management going forward.
- : SEC 8-K (5.02): On November 20, 2025, El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. announced the departure of Maria Hollandsworth from her position as President and Chief Operating Officer, with the separation effective on December 26, 2025. This decision follows the stipulations outlined in her employment agreement, which was previously disclosed. The departure may potentially impact operational leadership and strategy within the company as it approaches the end of the year. Further financial arrangements related to this departure are likely detailed in her employment agreement and pending disclosures.
Leadership
- Tara Hinkle, Chief Development Officer
- Damon Thomas, Chief Operating Officer
- Damon Thomas, Chief Operating Officer
- Damon Thomas, Chief Operating Officer
- Elizabeth Williams, Chief Executive Officer
- Maria Hollandsworth, Chief Operating Officer
- Jill Adams, Chief Marketing Officer
Verified email and direct lines for El Pollo Loco’s decision-makers are on Fundz. See plans — or book a 15-minute walkthrough.
Employee benefit plans
El Pollo Loco files 5 employee benefit plans with the U.S. Department of Labor, including a retirement plan. The next plan year renews in Oct 2026.
El Pollo Loco in the news
- El Pollo Loco® Celebrates Loco Days with More than $20,000 in Prizes - GlobeNewswire (Jul 08, 2026)
- El Pollo Loco Announces Protein Packed Menu, Reminding Everyone that Protein has Always Been their Specialty - The Manila Times (Feb 25, 2026)
- El Pollo Loco Names Jill Adams New Chief Marketing Officer - Yahoo Finance (Oct 05, 2023)
- El Pollo Loco Launches New L.A. Mex Burritos Inspired By Diverse Hometown - RestaurantNews.com (Sep 09, 2020)
- El Pollo Loco Launches Loco Gifts and Gear Store with Famed Latino Creators - Shop Eat Surf Outdoor (Dec 03, 2021)
- El Pollo Loco, Inc. Expands Delivery, Partners with DoorDash - Food & Beverage Magazine (Mar 11, 2018)
- El Pollo Loco Fires Up $5 Combos Menu with New Offerings - Nasdaq (Sep 03, 2019)
- El Pollo Loco Introduces Mexican Shredded Beef Birria, a Flavorful First in QSR - RestaurantNews.com (Mar 17, 2022)
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About El Pollo Loco: questions and answers
What does El Pollo Loco do?
In 1980 the first American El Pollo Loco opened on Alvarado Street in Los Angeles, quickly becoming a destination for the best citrus-marinated, fire-grilled pollo in town. Over the past four decades, El Pollo Loco has grown into more than 490 restaurants across 6 states becoming an L.A. mainstay and cultural benchmark along the way. And today, we continue to work just as hard to always provide cu
Where is El Pollo Loco headquartered?
El Pollo Loco is headquartered in Costa Mesa, California, United States.
How many employees does El Pollo Loco have?
El Pollo Loco has about 5,001 employees.
Who leads El Pollo Loco?
Elizabeth Williams is a Chief Executive Officer at El Pollo Loco.
What is the latest news on El Pollo Loco?
On Sep 30, 2026, El Pollo Loco Appoints Damon Thomas as Chief Operating Officer and Tara Hinkle as Chief Development Officer
Is El Pollo Loco a public company?
Yes. El Pollo Loco is publicly traded under the ticker LOCO.
Source: Fundz records from SEC filings, press releases and company announcements. How Fundz measures data accuracy