# EDGAR Filing Document

**Accession Number:** 0001606366
**File Stem:** 0001213900-25-051311
**Filing Date:** 2025-6
**Character Count:** 38610
**Document Hash:** fe475cb9dd77fd7d97539c9712ac6d30
**Contains OCR:** False
**Source Format:** 

## Filing Content

## Filing Summary
**0001213900-25-051311.hdr.sgml**: 20250605

**ACCESSION NUMBER**: 0001213900-25-051311

**CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE**: 8-K

**PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT**: 13

**CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT**: 20250529

**ITEM INFORMATION**: Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers: Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers

**ITEM INFORMATION**: Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year

**ITEM INFORMATION**: Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

**ITEM INFORMATION**: Financial Statements and Exhibits

**FILED AS OF DATE**: 20250605

**DATE AS OF CHANGE**: 20250604

**FILER**: 

**COMPANY DATA:**
- **COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:** El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc.
- **CENTRAL INDEX KEY:** 0001606366
- **STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:** RETAIL-EATING PLACES [5812]
- **ORGANIZATION NAME:** 07 Trade & Services
- **EIN:** 203563182
- **STATE OF INCORPORATION:** DE
- **FISCAL YEAR END:** 1231

**FILING VALUES:**
- **FORM TYPE:** 8-K
- **SEC ACT:** 1934 Act
- **SEC FILE NUMBER:** 001-36556
- **FILM NUMBER:** 251024810

**BUSINESS ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 3535 HARBOR BOULEVARD
- **STREET 2:** SUITE 100
- **CITY:** COSTA MESA
- **STATE:** CA
- **ZIP:** 92626
- **BUSINESS PHONE:** 7145995000

**MAIL ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 3535 HARBOR BOULEVARD
- **STREET 2:** SUITE 100
- **CITY:** COSTA MESA
- **STATE:** CA
- **ZIP:** 92626

?xml version='1.0' encoding='ASCII'?

**UNITED STATES**

**SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION**

**Washington, DC 20549**

**FORM 8-K**

**CURRENT REPORT**

**Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the**

**Securities Exchange Act of 1934**

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): <u>May 29, 2025</u>

Commission File Number: <u>001-36556</u>

**El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc.**

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter.)

<u>Delaware</u> <u>20-3563182</u> <br> (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) (IRS Employer Identification No.)

<u>3535 Harbor Blvd Suite 100, Costa Mesa, California 92626</u> <br> (Address of principal executive offices)

714-599-5000 <br> (Registrant's Telephone number)

<u>Not Applicable</u>

(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)

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

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

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (17 CFR 230.405) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR 240.12b-2)

Emerging growth company ☐

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. ☐

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

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Title of each class** | **Trading Symbol(s)** | **Name of exchange on which registered** |
| Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share | LOCO | The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC |

---

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

The Board of Directors of El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. (the "Company") previously approved amending the El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. Equity Incentive Plan (the "Equity Incentive Plan"), subject to stockholder approval. As disclosed in Item 5.07 of this Form 8-K, at the Company's 2025 annual meeting of stockholders (the "Annual Meeting"), the Company's stockholders approved the amendments to the Equity Incentive Plan that, among other things, increased the number of shares of the Company's common stock available for award grants under the Equity Incentive Plan by 1,250,000 shares.

The foregoing summary of the amendments to the Equity Incentive Plan is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Equity Incentive Plan, as amended, which is included as Exhibit 10.1 hereto and incorporated herein by reference.

**Item 5.03. Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.**

As disclosed in Item 5.07 of this Form 8-K, at the Annual Meeting the Company's stockholders approved amendments (the "Amendments") to the Company's Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to provide for the declassification of the Board of Directors of the Company and the elimination of supermajority voting requirements. The Amendments became effective upon the filing of an Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company incorporating the Amendments with the Delaware Secretary of State on June 3, 2025 (the "2025 Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation").

Descriptions of the Amendments are set forth in Company's definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 17, 2025 (the "2025 Proxy Statement"), which descriptions are incorporated herein by reference and are further qualified by reference to the full text of the Amendments included in the 2025 Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, a copy of which is included as Exhibit 3.1 hereto and incorporated herein by reference.

**Item 5.07 Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.**

On May 29, 2025, the Company held its Annual Meeting. Of the 30,057,287 shares of common stock outstanding and entitled to vote as of April 2, 2025, the record date for the annual meeting, 27,215,547 shares were present in person or represented by proxy, or 90.55%, constituting a quorum. At the Annual Meeting, the Company's stockholders voted on six proposals, each of which is described in more detail in the 2025 Proxy Statement.

The final results of voting for each matter submitted to a vote of stockholders at the Annual Meeting are as follows:

**1.** **Election of directors** 

Proposal 1 was the election of three nominees to serve as Class II directors until the 2028 annual meeting or until their successors are duly elected and qualified. The result of the vote was as follows:

---

| | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| **Nominee** | **Votes <br> For** | **Votes <br> Withheld** | **Broker<br> Non-Votes** |
| William Floyd | 17, 289, 008 | 7045398 | 2881141 |
| Douglas Babb | 16, 982, 139 | 7352267 | 2881141 |
| Nancy Faginas-Cody | 16801912 | 7532494 | 2881141 |

---

**2.** **Ratification of appointment of BDO USA, P.C. as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm** 

Proposal 2 was the ratification of the appointment of BDO USA, P.C., as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm for 2025. The result of the vote was as follows:

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Votes For** | **Votes Against** | **Abstentions** |
| 26901141 | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;306,610 | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;7,796 |

---

**3.** **Non-binding advisory vote regarding approval of the Company's named executive officers' compensation** 

Proposal 3 was the non-binding advisory proposal regarding approval of the compensation of the Company's named executive officers. The result of the vote was as follows:

---

| | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| **Votes** **For** | **Votes** **Against** | **Abstentions** | **Broker Non-Votes** |
| 21481685 | 1257738 | 1594983 | 2881141 |

---

**4.** **Approval of the amendments to the Company's Equity Incentive Plan** 

Proposal 4 was the proposal regarding approval of amendments to the El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. Equity Incentive Plan. The result of the vote was as follows:

---

| | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| **Votes For** | **Votes** **Against** | **Abstentions** | **Broker Non-Votes** |
| 17, 573, 345 | 5173894 | 1587167 | 2881141 |

---

**5.** **Approval of the amendment of the Company's Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to declassify the Board of Directors of the Company** 

Proposal 5 was the proposal regarding approval of the amendment of the Company's Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to declassify the board of directors of the Company. The result of the vote was as follows:

---

| | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| **Votes** **For** | **Votes** **Against** | **Abstentions** | **Broker Non-Votes** |
| 24290041 | 34612 | 9753 | 2881141 |

---

**6.** **Approval of the Company's Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to eliminate supermajority voting requirements** 

Proposal 6 was the proposal regarding approval of the amendment to the Company's Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to eliminate supermajority requirements. The result of the vote was as follows:

---

| | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| <br> **Votes** **For** | **Votes** **Against** | **Abstentions** | **Broker Non-Votes** |
| 24242417 | 48020 | 43969 | 2881141 |

---

**Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.**

(d) Exhibits.

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Exhibit No.** | **Description** |
| 3.1 | [Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc.](ea024478001ex3-1_elpollo.htm) |
| 10.1 | [El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. Equity Incentive Plan, as amended (included as Appendix B to the Company's Definitive Proxy Statement filed with the Commission on April 17, 2025 and incorporated herein by reference)](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1606366/000160636625000018/loco-20250529xdef14a.htm#AppendixB) |
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document) |

---

**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.

---

| | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|
|  | **El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc.** | **El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc.** | **El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc.** |
| Date: *June 4, 2025* | By: | /s/ Anne Jollay | /s/ Anne Jollay |
|  |  | *Name:* | *Anne Jollay* |
|  |  | *Title:* | *Corporate Secretary* |

---

## Exhibit 3.1

**Exhibit 3.1**

AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION<br>OF<br>EL POLLO LOCO HOLDINGS, INC.

The undersigned, Elizabeth Williams, certifies that she is the Chief Executive Officer of El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the "<u>Corporation</u>"), and does hereby further certify as follows:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) The name of the Corporation is El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2) The name under which the Corporation was originally incorporated was EP Acquisition Corp. and the original
Certificate of Incorporation was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on September 13, 2005. The original Certificate
of Incorporation was amended on (i) September 22, 2005, by filing a certificate of amendment with the Secretary of State of
the State of Delaware, (ii) December 1, 2005, by filing a certificate of correction with the Secretary of State of the State
of Delaware, (iii) December 6, 2005, by filing a restated certificate of incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State
of Delaware, (iv) July 6, 2007, by filing a certificate of change of registered agent with the Secretary of State of the State
of Delaware, (v) April 22, 2014, by filing a certificate of ownership and merger with the Secretary of State of the State of
Delaware and (vi) July 14, 2014, by filing a certificate of amendment with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware (collectively,
the "Original <u>Certificate of Incorporation</u> "). Pursuant to the certificate of amendment filed on September 22,
2005, the Corporation changed its name to Chicken Acquisition Corp. Pursuant to the certificate of ownership and merger filed on April 22,
2014, the Corporation changed its name to El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. The Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation
was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on July 24, 2014, and amended and restated on May 31, 2024 (as
amended and restated, the "Certificate of Incorporation").

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(3) This Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation (as it may be amended from time
to time, the " <u>Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation</u> ") has been duly adopted by the Board of Directors of
the Corporation (the " <u>Board of Directors</u> ") in accordance with the provisions of Sections 242 and 245 of the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the " <u>DGCL</u> "), and was approved by the stockholders of the Corporation in accordance
with the provisions of Section 242 of the DGCL.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(4) This Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation amends and restates the Certificate of Incorporation,
as heretofore amended or supplemented.

Effective as of 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time on June 3, 2025, the text of the Certificate of Incorporation is hereby amended and restated to read in its entirety as follows:

<u>FIRST</u>: The name of the Corporation is El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. (hereinafter, the "<u>Corporation</u>").

<u>SECOND</u>: The address of the registered office of the Corporation in the State of Delaware is 251 Little Falls Drive, Wilmington, New Castle County, 19808. The name of its registered agent at that address is Corporation Service Company.

<u>THIRD</u>: The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which a corporation may be organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the "<u>DGCL</u>").

<u>FOURTH</u>:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) <u>Authorized Capital Stock</u>. The total number of shares of stock which the Corporation shall have
authority to issue is 300,000,000 of which the Corporation shall have authority to issue 200,000,000 shares of common stock, each having
a par value of one cent per share ($0.01) (the " <u>Common Stock</u> "), and 100,000,000 shares of preferred stock, each having
a par value of one cent per share ($0.01) (the " <u>Preferred Stock</u> ").

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) <u>Common Stock</u>. The powers, preferences and rights, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions,
of the Common Stock are as follows:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) Each holder of record of shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to one vote for each share of Common
Stock held on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders of the Corporation on which holders of Common Stock are entitled to vote.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2) The holders of shares of Common Stock shall not have cumulative voting rights (as defined in Section 214
of the DGCL).

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(3) Subject to the rights of the holders of Preferred Stock, and subject to any other provisions of this Amended
and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as it may be amended from time to time, holders of shares of Common Stock shall be entitled
to receive such dividends and other distributions in cash, stock or property of the Corporation if, as and when declared thereon by the
Board of Directors from time to time out of assets or funds of the Corporation legally available therefor.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(4) In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary,
after payment or provision for the payment of the debt and liabilities of the Corporation and subject to the prior payment in full of
the preferential amounts, if any, to which any series of Preferred Stock may be entitled, the holders of shares of Common Stock shall
be entitled to receive the assets and funds of the Corporation remaining for distribution in proportion to the number of shares held by
them, respectively.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(5) No holder of shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to preemptive or subscription rights.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c) <u>Preferred Stock</u>. The Board of Directors is expressly authorized to provide for the issuance of
all or any shares of the Preferred Stock in one or more classes or series, and to fix for each such class or series such voting powers,
full or limited, or no voting powers, and such distinctive designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special
rights and such qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, as shall be stated and expressed in the resolution or resolutions
adopted by the Board of Directors providing for the issuance of such class or series and as may be permitted by the DGCL, including, without
limitation, the authority to provide that any such class or series may be (i) subject to redemption at such time or times and at
such price or prices; (ii) entitled to receive dividends (which may be cumulative or non-cumulative) at such rates, on such conditions,
and at such times, and payable in preference to, or in such relation to, the dividends payable on any other class or classes of stock
or any other series of stock; (iii) entitled to such rights upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, whether voluntary or
involuntary, of the Corporation; or (iv) convertible into, or exchangeable for, shares of any other class or classes of stock, or
shares of any other series of the same class of stock, of the Corporation at such price or prices or at such rates of exchange and with
such adjustments; all as may be stated in such resolution or resolutions.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(d) <u>Power to Sell and Purchase Shares</u>. Subject to the requirements of applicable law, the Corporation
shall have the power to issue and sell all or any part of any shares of any class of stock herein or hereafter authorized to such persons,
and for such consideration, as the Board of Directors shall from time to time, in its discretion, determine, whether or not greater consideration
could be received upon the issue or sale of the same number of shares of another class or of shares of another series of such class, and
as otherwise permitted by law. Subject to the requirements of applicable law, the Corporation shall have the power to purchase any shares
of any class of stock herein or hereafter authorized from such persons, and for such consideration, as the Board of Directors shall from
time to time, in its discretion, determine, whether or not less consideration could be paid upon the purchase of the same number of shares
of another class or of shares of another series of such class, and as otherwise permitted by law.

<u>FIFTH</u>: The following provisions are inserted for the management of the business and the conduct of the affairs of the Corporation, and for further definition, limitation and regulation of the powers of the Corporation and of its directors and stockholders:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by, or under the direction of, the Board
of Directors. In addition to the powers and authority expressly conferred upon the Board of Directors by applicable law, this Amended
and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or the Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Corporation (as amended from time to time, the " <u>By-Laws</u> "),
the directors are hereby empowered to exercise all such powers and do all such acts and things as may be exercised or done by the Corporation,
subject to the provisions of the DGCL and this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) The number of directors of the Corporation shall be fixed from time to time exclusively by resolution
of the Board of Directors.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c) Until the election of directors at the 2028 annual meeting of stockholders, the directors shall be divided
into three classes, designated Class I, Class II and Class III. Each class shall consist, as nearly as may be possible, of one-third
of the total number of directors constituting the entire Board of Directors If the number of directors is changed, any increase or decrease
shall be apportioned among the classes so as to maintain the number of directors in each class as nearly equal as possible, but in no
case will a decrease in the number of directors shorten the term of any incumbent director. Any director elected prior to the 2026 annual
meeting of stockholders shall hold office for a term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders held in the third year following the
year of their election. Each director elected at the 2026 annual meeting of stockholders will be elected for a term expiring at the 2027
annual meeting of stockholders. Each director elected at the 2027 annual meeting of stockholders will be elected for a term expiring at
the 2028 annual meeting of stockholders. At the 2028 annual meeting of stockholders and at each annual meeting of stockholders thereafter,
all directors will be elected for a term expiring at the next annual meeting of stockholders. Each director shall hold office until the
annual meeting of stockholders at which such director's term expires and serve until such director's successor shall have
been duly elected and qualified or until such director's earlier death, resignation, disqualification or removal.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(d) Subject to the terms of any one or more classes or series of Preferred Stock then outstanding, any vacancy
on the Board of Directors that results from (i) removal of a director, (ii) an increase in the number of directors or (iii) death,
resignation, disqualification or any other cause, will be filled solely by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors
then in office, even if less than a quorum remains, including by a sole remaining director. Any director of any class elected to fill
a vacancy resulting from an increase in the number of directors of such class shall hold office for a term that shall coincide with the
remaining term of that class. Any director elected to fill a vacancy not resulting from an increase in the number of directors shall have
the same remaining term as that of his or her predecessor. The right of stockholders to fill vacancies on the Board of Directors is hereby
specifically denied.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(e) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the election, term, removal and filling of vacancies with respect to directors,
if any, elected separately by the holders of one or more classes or series of Preferred Stock shall not be governed by this Article FIFTH,
but rather shall be as provided for in the resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors creating and establishing such class or series
of Preferred Stock.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(f) In addition to the powers and authority hereinbefore or by statute expressly conferred upon them, the
Board of Directors is hereby empowered to exercise all such powers and do all such acts and things as may be exercised or done by the
Corporation, subject to the provisions of the DGCL and this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation.

<u>SIXTH</u>: No director shall be personally liable to the Corporation or any of its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of any fiduciary duty as a director, except to the extent such exemption from liability or limitation thereof is not permitted under the DGCL. If the DGCL is amended hereafter to authorize the further elimination or limitation of the liability of directors, then the liability of a director of the Corporation shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL, as so amended. Any repeal or modification of this Article SIXTH shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director of the Corporation existing at the time of such repeal or modification with respect to acts or omissions occurring prior to such repeal or modification.

<u>SEVENTH</u>: The Corporation shall indemnify any person that is or was a director or officer (and any person that is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise) to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by law, as now or hereafter in effect, and such right to indemnification shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director or officer of the Corporation (or such other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise) and shall inure to the benefit of his or her heirs, executors and personal and legal representatives; <u>provided</u>, <u>however</u>, that, except for proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification, the Corporation shall not be obligated to indemnify any director or officer (or his or her heirs, executors or personal or legal representatives) in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person unless such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized or consented to by the Board of Directors. The right to indemnification conferred by this Article SEVENTH shall include the right to be paid by the Corporation, the expenses incurred in defending or otherwise participating in any proceeding in advance of its final disposition.

The Corporation may, to the extent authorized from time to time by the Board of Directors, provide rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses to employees and agents of the Corporation similar to those conferred in this Article SEVENTH.

The rights to indemnification and to the advance of expenses conferred in this Article SEVENTH shall not be exclusive of any other right which any person may have or hereafter acquire under this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the By-Laws, any statute or other law, by agreement, vote of stockholders or approval of the directors of the Corporation or otherwise.

Any repeal or modification of this Article SEVENTH shall not adversely affect any rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses of a director or officer of the Corporation existing at the time of such repeal or modification with respect to any acts or omissions occurring prior to such repeal or modification.

<u>EIGHTH</u>. Any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the Corporation may be effected only at a duly called annual or special meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation and may not be effected by any consent in writing by such stockholders.

Any director or the entire Board of Directors may be removed from office (i) at any time prior to the 2028 Annual Meeting, only for cause by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Voting Stock, and (ii) at any time on or after the 2028 Annual Meeting, with or without cause, by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Voting Stock. The vacancy or vacancies in the Board of Directors caused by any such removal shall be filled as provided in Part (d) of Article FIFTH.

<u>NINTH</u>: Meetings of stockholders may be held within or without the State of Delaware, as the By-Laws may provide. The books of the Corporation may be kept (subject to any provision contained in the DGCL) outside the State of Delaware at such place or places as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors or in the By-Laws.

<u>TENTH</u>: Except as otherwise required by law, special meetings of the stockholders of the Corporation, for any purpose or purposes, may be called at any time only (i) by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, (ii) by the Chief Executive Officer (or, in the absence of a Chief Executive Officer, the President) of the Corporation or (iii) pursuant to a resolution duly adopted by a majority of the Board of Directors. Any power of the stockholders to call a special meeting of stockholders is hereby specifically denied. Advance notice of stockholder nominations for the election of directors of the Corporation and of business to be brought by stockholders before any meeting of stockholders of the Corporation shall be given in the manner provided in the By-Laws. No business other than that stated in the notice of such meeting (or any amendment or supplement thereto), which notice, in the case of a special meeting called by a stockholder or stockholders, shall include all business requested by such stockholder or stockholders to be transacted at such meeting, shall be transacted at any special meeting.

<u>ELEVENTH</u>:

The Corporation shall be subject to Section 203 of the DGCL, as now in effect or hereafter amended, or any successor statute thereto.

<u>TWELFTH</u>: In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred upon it by the laws of the State of Delaware, the Board of Directors shall have the power without the assent or vote of the stockholders to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the By-Laws. The affirmative vote of at least a majority of the Board of Directors shall be required to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the By-Laws. The By-Laws also may be adopted, amended, altered or repealed by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Voting Stock.

<u>THIRTEENTH</u>: The Corporation reserves the right to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision contained in this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed in the DGCL, and all rights conferred upon stockholders herein are granted subject to such reservation.

The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Voting Stock (in addition to any other vote that may be required by law) shall be required to amend, alter, change or repeal, or to adopt any provision as part of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation

<u>FOURTEENTH</u>:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law (including, without limitation, Section 122(17)
of the DGCL (or any successor provision)), the Corporation, on behalf of itself and its subsidiaries, renounces any interest or expectancy
of the Corporation and its subsidiaries in, or in being offered an opportunity to participate in, business opportunities that are from
time to time presented to Trimaran Pollo Partners, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company, or any of its officers, directors, employees,
agents, shareholders, members, partners, principals, affiliates (other than the Corporation and its subsidiaries) and managers (each,
a " <u>Specified Party</u> "), even if the opportunity is one that the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries might reasonably
be deemed to have pursued or had the ability or desire to pursue if presented the opportunity to do so. Each such Specified Party shall
have no duty to communicate or offer such business opportunity to the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries and, to the fullest extent
permitted by applicable law, shall not be liable to the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries for breach of any fiduciary or other duty,
as a director or officer or controlling stockholder or otherwise, by reason of the fact that such Specified Party pursues or acquires
such business opportunity, directs such business opportunity to another person or fails to present such business opportunity, or information
regarding such business opportunity, to the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Specified Party who
is a director or officer of the Corporation and who is expressly offered a business opportunity solely in his or her capacity as a director
or officer of the Corporation (a " <u>Directed Opportunity</u> ") shall be obligated to communicate such Directed Opportunity
to the Corporation; <u>provided</u>, <u>however</u>, that all of the protections of this Article FOURTEENTH shall otherwise apply
to the Specified Parties with respect to such Directed Opportunity, including, without limitation, the ability of the Specified Parties
to pursue or acquire such Directed Opportunity or to direct such Directed Opportunity to another person.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) The Specified Parties shall have no duty to refrain from (i) engaging directly or indirectly in the
same or similar business activities or lines of business as the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries or (ii) otherwise competing
with the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c) In addition to and notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Article FOURTEENTH, a corporate
opportunity shall not be deemed to belong to the Corporation if it is a business opportunity that the Corporation is not financially able
or contractually permitted or legally able to undertake, or that is, from its nature, not in the line of the Corporation's business
or is of no practical advantage to it or that is one in which the Corporation has no interest or reasonable expectancy.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(d) No alteration, amendment or repeal of this Article FOURTEENTH (including the adoption of any provision
of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation inconsistent with this Article FOURTEENTH) shall eliminate or reduce the
effect of this Article FOURTEENTH in respect of any matter occurring, or any cause of action, suit or claim that, but for this Article FOURTEENTH,
would accrue or arise, prior to such alteration, amendment or repeal. This Article FOURTEENTH shall not limit any protections or
defenses available to, or indemnification or advancement rights of, any director or officer of the Corporation under this Amended and
Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the By- Laws or applicable law.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(e) Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in the shares of capital stock of
the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the provisions of this Article FOURTEENTH.

<u>FIFTEENTH</u>: The Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, be the sole and exclusive forum for (a) any actual or purported derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation, (b) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director or officer of the Corporation to the Corporation or the Corporation's stockholders or creditors, (c) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation or any director or officer of the Corporation arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL, this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or the By-Laws, or (d) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation or any director or officer of the Corporation governed by the internal affairs doctrine; <u>provided</u>, <u>however</u>, that, if and only if the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware dismisses any such action for lack of subject matter jurisdiction, such action may be brought in another state court sitting in the State of Delaware. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in the shares of capital stock of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the provisions of this Article FIFTEENTH.

<u>SIXTEENTH</u>: If any provision or provisions of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable as applied to any circumstance for any reason whatsoever: (i) the validity, legality and enforceability of such provisions in any other circumstance and of the remaining provisions of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (including, without limitation, each portion of any paragraph of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable that is not itself held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and (ii) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (including, without limitation, each such portion of any paragraph of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to permit the Corporation to protect its directors, officers, employees and agents from personal liability in respect of their good faith service to or for the benefit of the Corporation to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by law.

<u>SEVENTEENTH</u>: No officer shall be personally liable to the Corporation or any of its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of any fiduciary duty as an officer of the Corporation, except to the extent such exemption from liability or limitation thereof is not permitted under the DGCL. If the DGCL is amended hereafter to authorize the further elimination or limitation of the liability of officers, then the liability of an officer of the Corporation shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL, as so amended. Any repeal or modification of this Article SEVENTEENTH shall not adversely affect any right or protection of an officer of the Corporation existing at the time of such repeal or modification with respect to acts or omissions occurring prior to such repeal or modification.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to be executed on its behalf on this 2nd day of June 2025.

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|:---|:---|
| EL POLLO LOCO HOLDINGS, INC. | EL POLLO LOCO HOLDINGS, INC. |
| By: | /s/ Elizabeth Williams |
| Name: | Elizabeth Williams |
| Title: | Chief Executive Officer |

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