[Form 4] El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. Insider Trading Activity

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

El Pollo Loco Holdings insider sale by CFO Ira Fils: The filing reports a transaction dated 08/23/2025 in which the reporting person vested in 13,369 restricted shares of common stock. To satisfy tax obligations on vesting, the issuer retained 4,784 shares; the filing lists the issuer's closing share price on 08/23/2025 as $10.68 and indicates a transaction code of "F." After the reported disposition, the reporting person beneficially owned 115,837 shares, held directly. The Form 4 was signed by an attorney-in-fact on 08/25/2025. The document contains only the vesting and share-retention details and does not include additional commentary or other transactions.

Positive

• Reporting transparency: The Form 4 discloses vesting, withholding amount, transaction date, and closing price.
• Substantial ongoing ownership: The reporting person continues to hold 115,837 shares directly after the transaction.

Negative

• None.

Insights

Financial Analyst

TL;DR Insider vested restricted shares and had a portion retained to cover taxes; ownership remains substantial.

The filing documents a routine post-vesting tax-related share retention rather than an open-market sale. The reporting person, identified as the Chief Financial Officer, vested 13,369 shares and had 4,784 shares retained by the issuer at the issuer's closing price of $10.68 on 08/23/2025. Beneficial ownership after the transaction is 115,837 shares held directly. This is a standard administrative disposition tied to equity compensation; it does not indicate a discretionary sale by the insider.

Corporate Governance Expert

TL;DR Transaction appears procedural for tax withholding on vested restricted stock, not a governance red flag.

The Form 4 shows the CFO received vested restricted shares with the company withholding 4,784 shares to cover tax obligations, consistent with common equity compensation practices. The filing uses transaction code "F" and provides the closing price used for value reference. The presence of an attorney-in-fact signature is properly disclosed. There are no indications of unusual timing, multiple transactions, or coordination concerns within the form's content.

SEC Form 4

FORM 4

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP

Filed pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
or Section 30(h) of the Investment Company Act of 1940

OMB APPROVAL

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X

Check this box if no longer subject to Section 16. Form 4 or Form 5 obligations may continue. See Instruction 1(b).

Check this box to indicate that a transaction was made pursuant to a contract, instruction or written plan for the purchase or sale of equity securities of the issuer that is intended to satisfy the affirmative defense conditions of Rule 10b5-1(c). See Instruction 10.

1. Name and Address of Reporting Person^*

Fils Ira

(Last) (First) (Middle)

C/O EL POLLO LOCO HOLDINGS, INC.

3535 HARBOR BLVD., SUITE 100

(Street)

COSTA MESA CA 92626

(City) (State) (Zip)

2. Issuer Name and Ticker or Trading Symbol
El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. [ LOCO ]

5. Relationship of Reporting Person(s) to Issuer
(Check all applicable)

	Director		10% Owner
X	Officer (give title below)		Other (specify below)
	CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

3. Date of Earliest Transaction (Month/Day/Year)
08/23/2025

4. If Amendment, Date of Original Filed (Month/Day/Year)

6. Individual or Joint/Group Filing (Check Applicable Line)

X	Form filed by One Reporting Person
	Form filed by More than One Reporting Person

Table I - Non-Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned
1. Title of Security (Instr. 3)	2. Transaction Date (Month/Day/Year)	2A. Deemed Execution Date, if any (Month/Day/Year)	3. Transaction Code (Instr. 8)		4. Securities Acquired (A) or Disposed Of (D) (Instr. 3, 4 and 5)			5. Amount of Securities Beneficially Owned Following Reported Transaction(s) (Instr. 3 and 4)	6. Ownership Form: Direct (D) or Indirect (I) (Instr. 4)	7. Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership (Instr. 4)
			Code	V	Amount	(A) or (D)	Price
COMMON STOCK	08/23/2025		F		4,784	D	$10.68(1)	115,837	D

Table II - Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned (e.g., puts, calls, warrants, options, convertible securities)
1. Title of Derivative Security (Instr. 3)	2. Conversion or Exercise Price of Derivative Security	3. Transaction Date (Month/Day/Year)	3A. Deemed Execution Date, if any (Month/Day/Year)	4. Transaction Code (Instr. 8)		5. Number of Derivative Securities Acquired (A) or Disposed of (D) (Instr. 3, 4 and 5)		6. Date Exercisable and Expiration Date (Month/Day/Year)		7. Title and Amount of Securities Underlying Derivative Security (Instr. 3 and 4)		8. Price of Derivative Security (Instr. 5)	9. Number of derivative Securities Beneficially Owned Following Reported Transaction(s) (Instr. 4)	10. Ownership Form: Direct (D) or Indirect (I) (Instr. 4)	11. Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership (Instr. 4)
				Code	V	(A)	(D)	Date Exercisable	Expiration Date	Title	Amount or Number of Shares

Explanation of Responses:

1. The reporting person vested in 13,369 shares of common stock, of which the issuer retained 4,784 shares to satisfy the reporting person's tax obligation upon vesting of the restricted stock award. The price quoted in column 4 is the issuer's closing share price on August 23, 2025

	/s/ Jason Weintraub, Attorney-in-Fact	08/25/2025
	** Signature of Reporting Person	Date
Reminder: Report on a separate line for each class of securities beneficially owned directly or indirectly.
* If the form is filed by more than one reporting person, see Instruction 4 (b)(v).
** Intentional misstatements or omissions of facts constitute Federal Criminal Violations See 18 U.S.C. 1001 and 15 U.S.C. 78ff(a).
Note: File three copies of this Form, one of which must be manually signed. If space is insufficient, see Instruction 6 for procedure.
Persons who respond to the collection of information contained in this form are not required to respond unless the form displays a currently valid OMB Number.

FAQ

What did El Pollo Loco (LOCO) CFO Ira Fils report on Form 4?

The filing reports vesting of 13,369 restricted shares on 08/23/2025 with 4,784 shares retained by the issuer for tax withholding and a closing price of $10.68.

Why were 4,784 shares retained in this Form 4 filing?

The document states the issuer retained 4,784 shares to satisfy the reporting person’s tax obligation upon vesting of the restricted stock award.

How many shares does the reporting person own after this transaction?

After the reported transaction the reporting person beneficially owned 115,837 shares, held directly.

What is the significance of transaction code "F" on the Form 4?

The form lists transaction code F alongside the reported disposition; the filing provides no additional context beyond the code and the tax-withholding explanation.

When was the Form 4 signed and by whom?

The Form 4 was signed by an attorney-in-fact, Jason Weintraub, on 08/25/2025 as indicated in the filing.