[8-K] El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. Reports Material Event

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. reported that Maria Hollandsworth will depart from her role as President and Chief Operating Officer, with a final separation date of December 26, 2025. Her departure terms follow her existing employment agreement, providing accrued benefits under the company’s employee benefit plans and subsidized continuation of insurance coverage under COBRA, subject to her signing a release. The company also stated that all restricted stock awards and stock options she holds that would have vested between the separation date and May 31, 2026 will instead vest as of the separation date, accelerating her equity compensation.

Insights

Corporate governance and executive compensation analyst

Key operating executive departing with accelerated equity vesting.

El Pollo Loco disclosed that President and Chief Operating Officer Maria Hollandsworth will leave the company effective December 26, 2025. This role is central to day-to-day restaurant operations and execution, so any transition may matter for how the business is run, even though no reasons for the departure are provided in the disclosure.

Her separation terms follow a pre-existing employment agreement. She will receive accrued benefits and subsidized COBRA coverage, conditioned on signing a release, which is a common structure designed to reduce legal and transition frictions. The company is also accelerating vesting of her restricted stock awards and stock options that would have vested between the separation date and May 31, 2026, pulling forward her equity compensation.

The overall impact depends on how smoothly operational leadership is handed off and whether strategic priorities remain consistent. Subsequent company communications and filings may describe any new appointments or changes in responsibilities around and after December 26, 2025.

8-K Event Classification

Item 5.02 — Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers

1 item

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers Governance

Key personnel changes including departures, elections, or appointments of directors and executive officers.

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Understanding 8-K Material Events →

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

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FORM 8-K

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CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

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Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): November 20, 2025

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EL POLLO LOCO HOLDINGS, INC.

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(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

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Delaware	001-36556	20-3563182
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

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575 Anton Blvd., Suite 1100, Costa Mesa, California	92626
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

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Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (714) 599-5000

N/A

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-2 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

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Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

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Title of each class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share	LOCO	The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
Rights to Purchase Series A Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share	​	The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§ 230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b- 2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§ 240.12b-2 of this chapter). Emerging growth company ☐

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If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

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Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

On November 20, 2025, El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) agreed with Maria Hollandsworth that she would depart from her role as President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company with a final separation date of December 26, 2025 (the “Separation Date”). In accordance with Ms. Hollandsworth’s employment agreement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 2, 2023, Ms. Hollandsworth will receive accrued benefits under the Company’s employee benefits plans and subsidized continuation of insurance coverage under COBRA subject to Ms. Hollandsworth’s execution of a release. Additionally, all restricted stock awards and stock options held by Ms. Hollandsworth that would have otherwise vested between the Separation Date and May 31, 2026, will be deemed to be vested as of the Separation Date.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

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El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc.

(Registrant)

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Date: November 20, 2025

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Interim Chief Executive Officer and

/s/ Ira Fils

Ira Fils

Chief Financial Officer

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