v3.26.1

PREPAID EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT ASSETS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Apr. 01, 2026	Dec. 31, 2025
PREPAID EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT ASSETS
Prepaid insurance	$ 1,935	$ 2,634
Prepaid service fees	3,767	2,953
Other current assets	859	782
Total prepaid expenses and other current assets	$ 6,561	$ 6,369

Amount of asset related to consideration paid in advance for service fees that provides economic benefits within a future period of one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	loco_PrepaidServiceFees
Namespace Prefix:	loco_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DeferredCostsCapitalizedPrepaidAndOtherAssetsDisclosureAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of current assets classified as other.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Topic 852
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 55
-Paragraph 10
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147481372/852-10-55-10

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(8))
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147480566/210-10-S99-1

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OtherAssetsCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of asset related to consideration paid in advance for costs that provide economic benefits in future periods, and amount of other assets that are expected to be realized or consumed within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(9))
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147480566/210-10-S99-1

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PrepaidExpenseAndOtherAssetsCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of asset related to consideration paid in advance for insurance that provides economic benefits within a future period of one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (g)(1)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147483467/210-10-45-1

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Topic 340
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147483032/340-10-45-1

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Topic 340
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 05
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph (a)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482955/340-10-05-5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PrepaidInsurance
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. 10-Q