Exhibit 10.45

Definition of EBITDA

EBITDA shall be defined as the income of El Pollo Loco (i) before interest
expense, amortization of deferred financing fees and acquisition-related bank
fees, (ii) before depreciation of tangible assets (such as building and
equipment), (iii) before amortization of non-tangible assets (such as
trademarks), (iv) before amortization of rent related to the application of
FAS13, (v) before taxes paid to federal and state governments, (vi) after
accruing for all incentive and profit sharing expenses of El Pollo Loco, (vii)
before legal expenses associated with lawsuits relating to FLSA and California
Labor Code exempt classification, (vii) before transaction and new debt offering
expenses, (ix) before stock option expenses, and (x) before litigation-related
legal expenses over plan.
 
 
 

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