Document and Entity Information - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2022	Mar. 03, 2023	Jun. 29, 2022
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Document Annual Report	true
Document Period End Date	Dec. 28, 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 Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Smaller reporting company	false
Emerging Growth Company	false
ICFR Auditor Attestation Flag	true
Shell Company	false
Entity Public Float			$ 193
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		36,705,173
Auditor Name	BDO USA, LLP
Auditor Firm ID	243
Auditor Location	Costa Mesa, California
Entity Central Index Key	0001606366
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-28
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2022
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	false