Document and Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 29, 2022	Jul. 29, 2022
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Jun. 29, 2022
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-36556
Entity Registrant Name	EL POLLO LOCO HOLDINGS, INC.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	20-3563182
Entity Address, Address Line One	3535 Harbor Blvd.
Entity Address, Address Line Two	Suite 100
Entity Address, City or Town	Costa Mesa
Entity Address, State or Province	CA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	92626
City Area Code	714
Local Phone Number	599-5000
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
Trading Symbol	LOCO
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Emerging Growth Company	false
Small Business Entity	false
Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		37,002,513
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-28
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2022
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Entity Central Index Key	0001606366
Amendment Flag	false