UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of

the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

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El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc.

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Your Vote Counts! EL POLLO LOCO HOLDINGS, INC. 2021 Annual Meeting Vote by June 7, 2021 11:59 PM ET EL POLLO LOCO HOLDINGS, INC. 3535 HARBOR BLVD., SUITE 100 COSTA MESA, CA 92626 D52494-P53189 You invested in EL POLLO LOCO HOLDINGS, INC. and it’s time to vote! You have the right to vote on proposals being presented at the Annual Meeting. This is an important notice regarding the availability of proxy material for the stockholder meeting to be held on June 8, 2021. Get informed before you vote View the Notice and Proxy Statement and Form 10-K online OR you can receive a free paper or email copy of the material(s) by requesting prior to May 25, 2021. If you would like to request a copy of the material(s) for this and/or future stockholder meetings, you may (1) visit www.ProxyVote.com, (2) call 1-800-579-1639 or (3) send an email to sendmaterial@proxyvote.com. If sending an email, please include your control number (indicated below) in the subject line. Unless requested, you will not otherwise receive a paper or email copy. Smartphone users Point your camera here and vote without entering a control number Vote Virtually at the Meeting* June 8, 2021 1:00 PM PT Virtually at: www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/LOCO2021 *Please check the meeting materials for any special requirements for meeting attendance. V1 For complete information and to vote, visit www.ProxyVote.com Control #

Vote at www.ProxyVote.com THIS IS NOT A VOTABLE BALLOT This is an overview of the proposals being presented at the upcoming stockholder meeting. Please follow the instructions on the reverse side to vote these important matters. Board Recommends Voting Items D52495-P53189 Prefer to receive an email instead? While voting on www.ProxyVote.com, be sure to click “Sign up for E-delivery”. 1. Election of Directors Nominees: 01) Bernard Acoca 02) Carol “Lili” Lynton 03) Michael G. Maselli For 2. Ratification of the Appointment of BDO USA, LLP as our Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for 2021. For 3. Approval, on an Advisory (Non-Binding) Basis, of the Compensation of our Named Executive Officers. For 4. Approval of our Equity Incentive Plan, as amended. For