Document:

Employment Agreement between El Pollo Loco, Inc. and P. Milner

  
 EXHIBIT 10.10

  
 EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT 
 PAM MILNER 
  
 EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) dated as of January 10, 2000 by and between EL POLLO LOCO, INC. (the Company) and PAM MILNER (the
“Executive”). 
  
 WHEREAS, the Company desires to employ
Executive and to enter into an agreement embodying the terms of such employment; 
  
 WHEREAS, Executive desires to accept such employment and enter into such an agreement; 
  
 WHEREAS, the Company considers it essential to its best interests and the best interests of its stockholders to foster the continued employment of
Executive by the Company during the term of this Agreement; and 
  
 WHEREAS, Executive is willing to accept and continue Executive’s employment on the terms hereinafter set forth in this Agreement; 
  
 NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the parties agree as follows:

  
 1. Term of Employment; Executive Representation.

  
 a. Employment Term. Subject to the
provisions of Section 8 of this Agreement, Executive shall be employed by the Company for a period commencing on January 10, 2000 and ending on December 31, 2002 (the “Employment Term”) on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth
in the Agreement. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, commencing with January 1, 2003 and on each January 1 thereafter (each an “Extension Date”), the Employment Term shall be automatically extended for an additional one-year period,
unless the Company or Executive provides the other party hereto 60 days’ prior written notice before the next Extension Date that the Employment Term shall not be so extended. For the avoidance of doubt, the term “Employment Term”
shall include any extension that becomes applicable pursuant to the preceding sentence. 
  
 b. Executive Representation. Executive hereby represents to the Company that the execution and delivery of this Agreement by
Executive and the Company and the performance by Executive of the Executive’s duties hereunder shall not constitute a breach of, or otherwise contravene, the terms of any employment agreement or other agreement or policy to which Executive is a
party or otherwise bound. 
  

 2. Position. 
  
 a. During the Employment Term, Executive shall serve as the Company’s General Counsel and shall
principally perform Executive’s duties to the Company and its affiliates from the Company’s offices in the Orange County, California metropolitan area, subject to normal and customary travel requirements in the conduct of the
Company’s business. In such position, Executive shall have such duties and authority as shall be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) and the Chief Executive Officer of the Company and
the Executive shall report directly to the Chief Executive Officer. 
  
 b. During the Employment Term, Executive will devote Executive’s full business time and best efforts to the performance of Executive’s duties hereunder and will not engage in any other business, profession
or occupation for compensation or otherwise which would conflict with the rendition of such services either directly or indirectly, without the prior written consent of the Board; provided that Executive shall be permitted to participate in
such charitable and community-related services as Executive may choose; provided further that such services do not materially interfere with his duties hereunder. 
  
 3. Base Salary. During the Employment Term, the Company shall pay Executive a base salary (the “Base
Salary”) at the annual rate of $150,000, payable in regular installments in accordance with the Company’s usual payment practices. Executive shall be entitled to such increases in Executive’s Base Salary, if any, as may be determined
from time to time in the sole discretion of the Board. 
  
 4.
Annual Bonus. With respect to each full calendar year during the Employment Term, Executive shall be eligible to earn an annual bonus award (an “Annual Bonus”) calculated, in accordance with Exhibit A attached hereto, with a
targeted bonus equal to fifty percent (50%) of Executive’s Base Salary (the “Target Bonus”). 
  
 5. Employee Benefits. During the Employment Term, Executive shall be provided, in accordance with the terms of the Company’s employee benefit
plans as in effect from time to time, health insurance, retirement benefits and fringe benefits (collectively “Employee Benefits”) on the same basis as those benefits are generally made available to other senior executives of the Company.
Executive shall be provided with annual vacation on a basis consistent with Company policy. 
  
 6. Business Expenses. During the Employment Term, reasonable business expenses incurred by Executive in the performance of Executive’s duties hereunder shall be reimbursed by the Company in accordance with
Company policies. 
  

 2 

 7. Termination. The Employment Term and Executive’s employment hereunder may be terminated by
either party at any time and for any reason; provided that Executive will be required to give the Company at least 30 days advance written notice of any resignation of Executive’s employment. Notwithstanding any other provision of this
Agreement, the provisions of this Section 8 shall exclusively govern Executive’s rights upon termination of employment with the Company and its affiliates. 
  
 a. By the Company For Cause or By Executive’s Resignation without Good Reason. 
  
 (i) The Employment Term and Executive’s employment
hereunder may be terminated by the Company for Cause (as defined below) or by Executive’s resignation without Good Reason (as defined below). 
  
 (ii) For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” shall mean action by the Executive that constitutes misconduct, dishonesty, the
failure to comply with specific directions of the Board of Directors that are consistent with the terms hereof (after having been given a reasonably detailed written notice of, and a period of 20 days to cure, such misconduct or failure), a
deliberate and premeditated act against the Company or its Affiliates, the commission of a felony or substance abuse or inebriation which renders the Executive unfit to perform his duties. Any voluntary termination of employment by the Executive in
anticipation of an involuntary termination of the Executive’s employment for Cause shall be deemed to be a termination for Cause. 
  
 (iii) If Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company for Cause, or if Executive resigns without Good Reason, Executive shall
be entitled to receive: 
  
 (A) the Base Salary
through the date of termination; 
  
 (B) any
Annual Bonus earned but unpaid as of the date of termination for any previously completed calendar year; 
  
 (C) reimbursement for any unreimbursed business expenses properly incurred by Executive in accordance with Company policy prior to the
date of Executive’s termination; and 
  
 (D)
such Employee Benefits, if any, as to which Executive may be entitled under the employee benefit plans of the Company (the amounts described in clauses (A) through (D) hereof being referred to as the “Accrued Rights”). 
  
 Following such termination of Executive’s employment by the Company for
Cause or resignation by Executive without Good Reason, except as set forth in this Section 7(a), Executive shall have no further rights to any compensation or any other benefits under this Agreement. 
  

 3 

 b. Disability or Death. 
  
 (i) The Employment Term and Executive’s employment
hereunder shall terminate upon Executive’s death and if Executive becomes physically or mentally incapacitated and is therefore unable for a period of six (6) consecutive months or for an aggregate of nine (9) months in any twenty-four (24)
consecutive month period to perform Executive’s duties (such incapacity is hereinafter referred to as “Disability”). Any question as to the existence of the Disability of Executive as to which Executive and the Company cannot agree
shall be determined in writing by a qualified independent physician mutually acceptable to Executive and the Company. If Executive and the Company cannot agree as to a qualified independent physician, each shall appoint such a physician and those
two physicians shall select a third who shall make such determination in writing. The determination of Disability made in writing to the Company and Executive shall be final and conclusive for all purposes of the Agreement. 
  
 (ii) Upon termination of Executive’s employment
hereunder for either Disability or death, Executive or Executive’s estate (as the case may be) shall be entitled to receive: 
  
 (A) the Accrued Rights; and 
  
 (B) a pro rata portion of any Annual Bonus that the Executive would have been entitled to receive pursuant to Section 4 hereof in such
year based upon the percentage of the calendar year that shall have elapsed through the date of Executive’s termination of employment, payable when such Annual Bonus would have otherwise been payable had the Executive’s employment not
terminated, 
  
 Following Executives termination of employment due
to death or Disability, except as set forth in this Section 7(b), Executive or Executive’s estate (as the case may be) shall have no further rights to any compensation or any other benefits under this Agreement. 
  
 c. By the Company Without Cause or by Executive’s
Resignation with Good Reason. 
  
 (i) The
Employment Term and Executive’s employment hereunder may be terminated by the Company without Cause or by Executive with Good Reason. 
  
 (ii) For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” shall mean: 
  
 (A) Executive’s relocation by the Company outside Orange County, California; or 
  
 (B) the failure of the Company to provide or cause to be
provided to Executive any of the employee benefits described in Section 5 hereof; 
  

 4 

 provided that none of the events described in clauses (A) or (B) of this Section 7(c)(ii) shall constitute Good
Reason unless Executive shall have notified the Company in writing describing the events which constitute Good Reason and then only if the Company shall have failed to cure such event within thirty days after the Company’s receipt of such
written notice. 
  
 (iii) If Executive’s
employment is terminated by the Company without Cause (other than by reason of death or Disability), Executive shall be entitled to receive: 
  
 (A) the Accrued Rights; 
  
 (B) a pro rata portion of any Annual Bonus that the Executive would have been entitled to receive pursuant to Section 4 hereof in such
year based upon the percentage of the calendar year that shall have elapsed through the date of Executive’s termination of employment, payable when such Annual Bonus would have otherwise been payable had the Executive’s employment not
terminated; and 
  
 (C) subject to
Executive’s continued compliance with the provisions of Section 9 and 10, continued payment of the Base Salary until twelve (12) months after the date of such termination; provided that the aggregate amount described in this clause (C)
shall be reduced by the amount of any other cash severance or termination benefits payable to Executive under any other plans, programs or arrangements of the Company or its affiliates. 
  
 Following Executive’s termination of employment by the Company without Cause (other than by reason of Executive’s
death or Disability) or by Executive’s resignation with Good Reason, except as set forth in this Section 7(c), Executive shall have no further rights to any compensation or any other benefits under this Agreement. 
  
 d. Expiration of Employment Term. 
  
 (i) Election Not to Extend the Employment Term. In
the event either party elects not to extend the Employment Term pursuant to Section 1, unless Executive’s employment is earlier terminated pursuant to paragraphs (a), (b) or (c) of this Section 8, Executive’s termination of employment
hereunder (whether or not Executive continues as an employee of the Company thereafter) shall be deemed to occur on the close of business on the day immediately preceding the next scheduled Extension Date and Executive shall be entitled to receive
the Accrued Rights. 
  
 Following such termination of
Executive’s employment hereunder as a result either party’s election not to extend the Employment Term, except as set forth in this Section 7(d)(i), Executive shall have no further rights to any compensation or any other benefits under
this Agreement. 
  
 (ii) Continued Employment
Beyond the Expiration of the Employment Term. Unless the parties otherwise agree in writing, continuation of 

  

 5 

 
Executive’s employment with the Company beyond the expiration of the Employment Term shall be deemed an employment at will and shall not be deemed to
extend any of the provisions of this Agreement and Executive’s employment may thereafter be terminated at will by either Executive or the Company; provided that the provisions of Sections 9, 10 and 11 of this Agreement shall survive any
termination of this Agreement or Executive‘s termination of employment hereunder. 
  
 e. Notice of Termination. Any purported termination of employment by the Company or by Executive (other than due to
Executive’s death) shall be communicated by written Notice of Termination to the other party hereto in accordance with Section 13(h) hereof. For purposes of this Agreement, a “Notice of Termination” shall mean a notice which shall
indicate the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon and shall set forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of employment under the provision so indicated. 
  
 8. Non-Competition. (1) Executive acknowledges and recognizes the
highly competitive nature of the businesses of the Company and its affiliates and accordingly agrees as follows: 
  
 (1) Executive agrees that during the term of employment and until the first anniversary of the date of termination of Executive’s
employment with the Company or any subsidiary of the Company, as the case may be (the “Non-Competition Period”), the Executive will not directly or indirectly, (i) engage in any business that operates quick service restaurants that
compete directly with the business of El Pollo Loco, Inc. or its Affiliates in any market in which El Pollo Loco, Inc. or its Affiliates presently operate restaurants or have targeted operating restaurants at the time of termination of
Executive’s employment (a “Competitive Business”), (ii) enter the employ of, or render any services to, any person engaged in a Competitive Business, (iii) acquire a financial interest in, or otherwise become actively involved with,
any person engaged in a Competitive Business, directly or indirectly, as an individual, partner, shareholder, officer, director, principal, agent, trustee or consultant, or (iv) interfere with business relationships (whether formed before or after
the date of this Agreement) between the Company or any of its Affiliates and customers, suppliers, partners, members or investors of the Company or its Affiliates. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive may, directly or indirectly own, solely as
an investment, securities of any person engaged in Competitive Business which are publicly traded on a national or regional stock exchange or on the over-the-counter market if Executive (i) is not a controlling person of, or a member of a group
which controls, such person and (ii) does not, directly or indirectly, own 5% or more of any class of securities of such person. 
  
 (2) Executive further agrees that during the Non-Competition Period, Executive will not, directly or indirectly, (i) solicit or encourage
any employee of the Company or its Affiliates to leave the employment of the Company or its Affiliates, (ii) hire any such employee who was employed by the Company or its Affiliates as of the date of Executive’s termination of employment with
the Company or who left the employment of the Company or its Affiliates within one year prior to or after the termination of Executive’s employment with the Company, or (iii) solicit or encourage to cease to work with the Company or its
Affiliates any consultant then under contract with the Company or its Affiliates. 
  

 6 

 b. It is expressly understood and agreed that although Executive and the Company consider
the restrictions contained in this Section 8 to be reasonable, if a final judicial determination is made by a court of competent jurisdiction that the time or territory or any other restriction contained in this Agreement is an unenforceable
restriction against Executive, the provisions of this Agreement shall not be rendered void but shall be deemed amended to apply as to such maximum time and territory and to such maximum extent as such court may judicially determine or indicate to be
enforceable. Alternatively, if any court of competent jurisdiction finds that any restriction contained in this Agreement is unenforceable, and such restriction cannot be amended so as to make it enforceable, such finding shall not affect the
enforceability of any of the other restrictions contained herein. 
  
 9. Confidentiality. Executive will not at any time (whether during or after Executive’s employment with the Company) disclose or use for Executive’s own benefit or purposes or the benefit or purposes of any other person,
firm, partnership, joint venture, association, corporation or other business organization, entity or enterprise other than the Company and any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, any trade secrets, information, data, or other confidential information
relating to customers, development programs, costs, marketing, trading, investment, sales activities, promotion, credit and financial data, manufacturing processes, financing methods, plans, or the business and affairs of the Company generally, or
of any subsidiary or affiliate of the Company, provided that the foregoing shall not apply to information which is not unique to the Company or which is generally known to the industry or the public other than as a result of Executive’s
breach of this covenant; provided further that the foregoing shall not apply when Executive is required to divulge, disclose or make accessible such information by a court of competent jurisdiction or an individual duly appointed thereby, by
any administrative body or legislative body (including a committee thereof) having supervisory authority over the business of the Company, or by any administrative body or legislative body (including a committee thereof) with jurisdiction to order
Executive to divulge, disclose or make accessible such information. Executive agrees that upon termination of Executive’s employment with the Company for any reason, he will return to the Company immediately all memoranda, books, papers, plans,
information, letters and other data, and all copies thereof or therefrom, in any way relating to the business of the Company and its affiliates, except that he may retain personal notes, notebooks and diaries that do not contain confidential
information of the type described in the preceding sentence. Executive further agrees that he will not retain or use for Executive’s account at any time any trade names, trademark or other proprietary business designation used or owned in
connection with the business of the Company or its affiliates. 
  
 10. Specific Performance. Executive acknowledges and agrees that the Company’s remedies at law for a breach or threatened breach of any of the provisions of Section 8 or Section 9 would be inadequate and, in recognition of this
fact, Executive agrees that, in the event of such a breach or threatened breach, in addition to any remedies at law, the Company, without posting any bond, shall be entitled to cease making any payments or providing any benefit otherwise required by
this Agreement and obtain equitable relief in the form of specific performance, temporary restraining order, temporary or permanent injunction or any other equitable remedy which may then be available. 
  

 7 

 11. Miscellaneous. 
  
 a. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of
the State of California, without regard to conflicts of laws principles thereof. 
  
 b. Entire Agreement/Amendments. This Agreement contains the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the employment of
Executive by the Company. There are no restrictions, agreements, promises, warranties, covenants or undertakings between the parties with respect to the subject matter herein other than those expressly set forth herein. This Agreement may not be
altered, modified, or amended except by written instrument signed by the parties hereto. 
  
 c. No Waiver. The failure of a party to insist upon strict adherence to any term of this Agreement on any occasion shall not be
considered a waiver of such party’s rights or deprive such party of the right thereafter to insist upon strict adherence to that term or any other term of this Agreement. 
  
 d. Severability. In the event that any one or more of the provisions of this Agreement shall be or
become invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby. 
  
 e. Assignment. This Agreement shall not be assignable by Executive. This Agreement may be assigned by
the Company to a company which is a successor in interest to substantially all of the business operations of the Company. Such assignment shall become effective when the Company notifies the Executive of such assignment or at such later date as may
be specified in such notice. Upon such assignment, the rights and obligations of the Company hereunder shall become the rights and obligations of such successor company, provided that any assignee expressly assumes the obligations, rights and
privileges of this Agreement. 
  
 f.
Successors; Binding Agreement. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributes, devises and legatees. 
  
 g. Notice. For the purpose of this Agreement, notices
and all other communications provided for in the Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered or mailed by United States registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed to the
respective addresses set forth below Agreement, or to such other address as either party may have furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith, except that notice of change of address shall be effective only upon receipt. 
  

 8 

 If to the Company: 
  
 El Pollo Loco, Inc. 
 3333 Michelson Drive 
 Suite 550 
 Irvine, CA 92612 
 Attn: President 
  
 With a copy to: 
  
 American Securities Capital Partners, LP 
 123
East 42nd Street 
 Suite 2400 
 Attn: David Horing 
  
 If to Executive: 
  
 To the most recent address of Executive set forth in the personnel records of the Company. 
  
 h. Withholding Taxes. The Company may withhold from any amounts payable under this Agreement such
Federal, state and local taxes as may be required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation. 
  
 i. Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in counterparts, each of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the
signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument. 
  
 *** 
  

 9 

 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this Agreement as of the day and year first
above written. 
  

	
	
	/s/    Pam Milner
	

	PAM MILNER

  

			
	EL POLLO LOCO, INC.
		
	By:	 	/s/    Nelson Marchioli
	 	 	

	 	 	 Name: Nelson Marchioli
 Title: President

  

 10 

 Exhibit A 
  
 Annual Bonus Calculation 
  
 Bonuses for any calendar year will be established by reference to budgeted “EBITDA” for such calendar year (“Budgeted EBITDA”), with
EBITDA defined as the income of the Company (a) before, without duplication, interest expense, amortization of deferred financing fees and acquisition-related bank/financing fees, income taxes, depreciation and amortization expense, (b) before gains
(or losses) on the sale of Company operated restaurants or other significant assets, (c) after all bonuses including the Annual Bonus) and profit sharing expenses of the Company of any kind and (d) after eliminating the gain on the sale of the
Company’s distribution business. Budgeted EBITDA will be established by the Company’s Board of Directors (following annual plan reviews with the Company’s management) within the first three months of each calendar year during the
Employment Term; provided that Budgeted EBITDA for the calendar year beginning January 1, 2000 shall be $24.7 million. 
  
 The bonus for any calendar year will in no event exceed 150% of the Target Bonus for such calendar year and will be calculated on the basis of the extent
of attainment of Budgeted EBITDA for such calendar year as follows: 
  

			
	 EBITDA as Percentage of Budgeted EBITDA

	  	Percent of Target Bonus To Be Paid

	 Less than 90%
	  	0%
	 90%
	  	25%
	 100%
	  	100%
	 125% or more
	  	150%

  
 For purposes of calculating bonuses in
the event that EBITDA exceeds 90% of budgeted EBITDA but is less than 125% of Budgeted EBITDA, payout amounts shall be calculated in accordance with the following interpolative principles: 
  

	 	•	Between 90% of Budgeted EBITDA and 100% of Budgeted EBITDA, the payout will be based on a linear sliding scale between 25% and 100% of the Target Bonus (e.g., at 95% of Budgeted
EBITDA, the payout will equal 62.5% of the Target Bonus, and, at 98% of Budgeted EBITDA, the payout will equal 85% of the Target Bonus); and 

  

	 	•	Between 100% of Budgeted EBITDA and 125% of Budgeted EBITDA, the payout will be based on a linear sliding scale between 100% and 150% of the Target Bonus (e.g., at 110% of Budgeted
EBITDA, the payout will equal 120% of the Target Bonus, and, at 120% of Budgeted EBITDA, the payout will equal 140% of the Target Bonus).Management Consulting Agreement

 EXHIBIT10.11 
  
 MANAGEMENT CONSULTING AGREEMENT 
 dated as of December 29, 1999 
 between El Pollo Loco, Inc., 
 a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) 
 and American Securities Capital 
 Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited 
 partnership (the “Consultant”) 
  
 The Company desires to avail itself of the Consultant’s expertise and consequently has requested that the Consultant provide such expertise, from
time to time, in rendering certain management consulting and advisory services related to the business and affairs of the Company and its subsidiaries and the review and analysis of certain financial and other transactions. The Consultant and the
Company agree that it is in their respective interests to enter into this Agreement whereby, for the consideration specified herein, the Consultant shall provide such services as an independent consultant to the Company. 
  
 NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants hereinafter set
forth, the Company and the Consultant agree as follows: 
  
 SECTION 1. Retention of Consultant. The Company retains the Consultant, and the Consultant accepts such retention, upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement. 
  
 SECTION 2. Term. This Agreement shall commence on the date hereof and
shall terminate on the earlier of (i) December 31, 2004 (the “Initial Term”) or (ii) the date upon which entities affiliated with the Consultant cease to own directly or indirectly in the aggregate more than ten percent (10%) of the voting
stock (on an as converted basis) of the Company. Upon the termination of the Initial Term and each additional year thereafter, if any, for which this Agreement shall be extended pursuant to this sentence, this Agreement shall automatically be
extended for an additional year (subject to termination under clause (ii) above) unless notice to the contrary is given by either party at least 30 but no more than 60 days prior to such termination (the Initial Term and all extensions thereof are
collectively referred to as the “Term”). 
  
 SECTION 3.
Management Consulting Services. The Consultant shall advise the Company and its subsidiaries concerning such management matters as relate to proposed financial transactions, acquisitions and other senior management matters related to the
Company’s and its subsidiaries’ business, administration and policies, in each case as the Company shall reasonably and specifically request by way of written notice to the Consultant, which notice shall specify the services required of
the Consultant and shall include all background material necessary for the Consultant to complete such services. The Consultant shall not be required to devote any specified amount of time to any such written request and shall 

  

 
be required to devote only so much time to any such written request as the Consultant shall, in its reasonable discretion, deem necessary to complete such
services. Such consulting services shall in the Consultant’s reasonable discretion, be rendered in person or by telephone or other communication. The Consultant shall be free of domination or control by the Company over the manner and time of
rendering its services hereunder, and the Company shall have no right to dictate or direct the details of the services rendered hereunder. The Consultant shall (i) use its reasonable efforts to deal effectively with all subjects submitted to it
hereunder and (ii) endeavor to further, by performance of its services hereunder, the policies and objectives of the Company. The Consultant shall perform all such services as an independent contractor to the Company. The Consultant is not an
employee, agent or representative of the Company and has no authority to act for or to bind the Company without its prior written consent. 
  
 SECTION 4. Compensation. (a) As consideration for the Consultant’s agreement to render the management consulting services set forth in Section
3 of this Agreement and as compensation for any such services rendered by the Consultant, the Company shall pay the Consultant an annual fee (prorated for any partial periods) of $400,000 in equal quarterly installments of $100,000 payable in
advance on January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1 of each year (or, if such date is not a business day in New York City, on the next business day in New York City), with the first such installment to be payable on December 29, 1999 for the period
through March 31, 2000. Consultant shall have the right to increase the aforementioned annual fee to an amount not to exceed 0.5% of the Company’s consolidated total revenue for the latest 12 calendar months prior to such increase after giving
pro forma effect to any completed transactions. Once increased, the fee shall not be decreased without the prior written consent of the Consultant. 
  
 (b) In consideration of services previously rendered to the Company in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Stock Purchase Agreement,
dated November 9, 1999 by and among Advantica Restaurant Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation, Denny’s Holdings Inc., a New York corporation, TWS 800 Corp., a Delaware corporation, the Company and EPL Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation
(including the financing thereof), the Company shall pay the Consultant a fee of $1,283,000. 
  
 (c) During the Term, if the Company consummates any merger, consolidation, acquisition, disposition, reorganization, recapitalization or other
extraordinary transaction, Consultant shall be entitled to charge the Company a transaction fee equal to an amount not to exceed 1% of the value of the transaction. For these purposes, the value of any acquisition or disposition shall be equal to
the total enterprise value of the entity or assets being acquired or disposed (including, without limitation, assumed debt or refinanced debt relating therto). 
  
 (d) The Company (or, at the Company’s option, any subsidiary or affiliate thereof) shall, upon presentation by the
Consultant to the Company of such appropriate documentation as may be required by the Company, reimburse the Consultant for all reasonable and necessary expenses and other disbursement incurred by any and all partners, directors, officers, employees
or agents of the Consultant in the rendering of services to the Company, whether prior or subsequent to the date hereof. 
  

 2 

 (e) Nothing in this Agreement shall have the effect of prohibiting the Consultant from receiving from the
Company or its subsidiaries additional incentive or performance-based compensation or, on a transaction-by-transaction basis, a fee for financial advisory and consulting services rendered by the Consultant to the Company or its subsidiaries in
connection with future acquisitions or dispositions by the Company or its subsidiaries when so requested by the Company. 
  
 SECTION 5. Indemnification. The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless the Consultant and its partners, directors, officers, employees, agents
and affiliates from and against any and all liabilities, costs, expenses and disbursements (collectively, “Claims”) of any kind with respect to or arising from this Agreement or the performance by the Consultant of any services in
connection herewith. Notwithstanding the forgoing provision, the Company shall not be liable for any Claim arising from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Consultant. 
  
 SECTION 6. Notices. All notices, requests, consents and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall
be deemed sufficient if personally delivered, or sent by nationally-recognized overnight courier, by telecopy, or by registered or certified mail, rerurn receipt requested and postgage prepaid, addressed as follows: 
  

			
	 if to the Consultant:

	
	 American Securities Capital Partners, L.P.

	 122 East 42nd Street

	 Suite 2400
	 	 
	 New York, New York 10168

	 Attention:
	 	 Mr. Michael G. Fisch

	 Telecopier:
	 	 (212) 697-5524

	 Telephone:
	 	 (212) 476-8000

	
	 if to the Company:

	
	 El Pollo Loco, Inc.

	 3333 Michelson Drive, Suite 550

	 Irvine, CA 92612

	 Attention:
	 	 President

	 Telecopier:
	 	 (949)251-5310

	 Telephone:
	 	 (949)251-5000

  
 or to such other address as the party
to whom notice is to be given may have furnished to each other party in writing in accordance herewith. Any such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been received (a) in the case of personal delivery, on the date of such delivery, (b) in
the case of nationally-recognized overnight courier, on the next business day after the date when sent, (c) in the case of telecopy transmission, when received, and (d) in the case of mailing, on the third business day following that on which the
piece of mail containing such communication is posted. 
  

 3 

 SECTION 7. Benefits of Agreement. This Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of any
successors to or assigns of the Consultant and the Company; provided, however, that this Agreement may not be assigned by the Company without the prior written consent of the Consultant. 
  
 SECTION 8. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and
construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of New York (without giving effect to principles of conflicts of laws). 
  
 SECTION 9. Headings. Section headings are used for convenience only and shall in no way affect the construction of this Agreement. 
  
 SECTION 10. Entire Agreement: Amendments. This Agreement contains the
entire understanding of the parties with respect to its subject matter and neither it, nor any part of it, may in any way be altered, amended, extended, waived, discharged or terminated except by a written agreement signed by each of the parties
hereto. 
  
 SECTION 11. Counterparts. This Agreement may be
executed in counterparts, and each such counterpart shall be deemed to be an original instrument, but all such counterparts together shall constitute but one agreement. 
  
 SECTION 12. Waivers. Any party to this Agreement may, by written notice to the other party, waive any provision of
this Agreement. The waiver by any party of a breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach. 
  

*** 
  

 4 

 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have duty executed this Management Consulting Agreement as of the date
first above written. 
  

			
	 EL POLLO LOCO, INC.

		
	By:	 	/s/            
	 	 	

	 Name:
	 	CHRIS SLAUGHTER
	 Title:
	 	CFO

  

					
	AMERICAN SECURITIES CAPITAL PARTNERS, L.P.
	
	 By its General Partner

		
	 	 	AMERICAN SECURITIES CAPITAL PARTNER G.P. CORP.
			
	 	 	By:	 	/s/            
	 	 	 	 	

	 	 	 Name:
	 	 
	 	 	 Title:

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00066-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00066-of-00352.parquet"}]]