EcolabEcolab
Mandatoryrages in your Restaurant. You may purchase such approved beverages from any EPL-approved distributor. You must utilize our designated exclusive pest control and sanitation vendor, Ecolab. You must sub
From the filings
+0.923% units YoYHQ-led decisions
El Pollo Loco MD, IL, NY, VAEl Pollo Loco MD, IL, NY, VAEl Pollo Loco
Quick service restaurantEl Pollo Loco's franchise agreement puts POS purchasing under corporate control: Item 11 requires the Oracle MICROS point-of-sale and computer system, plus a license to Oracle's Reports & Analytics Portal. The system spans 503 restaurants, 328 franchised and 175 company-owned, with franchised outlets up 0.923% year over year.
For software vendors selling into US franchise brands.
Live signals
Total units
503
328 franchised
Unit growth YoY
+0.923%
vs prior filing
AUV
$2.23M
Item 19, 2025
Royalty
5%
of gross sales
Ad fund
5%
national + local
Initial fee
$40K
per unit
Investment range
$794K–$2.69M
all-in, Item 7
Procurement
Approved supplier
from the filing
Non-compete
2 years
from the filing
Item 19
Claims
from the filing
Ongoing fee load
What the operator pays every month
The recurring percentage of gross sales named in this filing, before rent, labour or any technology fee.
10%of gross sales (FY2026)
15% reference
Mandated & recommended tech
The systems vendors compete with
4 of these are mandated in the franchise agreement. Each is named in Item 11 of the filing, the incumbents a challenger must displace or integrate with.
HeartlandGlobal Payments
Mandatory. Note 11: You must obtain, install and use: the approved POS application which is currently the Micros Computer System; the approved credit processing solution which is currently Heartland Payment Ne
OracleOracle
Mandatoryrequire. As part of the Micros Required Software, we currently require you to purchase the El Pollo Loco® Micros software bundle, and we require you to obtain a license to use the Oracle Reports & Ana
Oracle MICROSOracle
Mandatorythe area governed by the Advertising Association will have one (1) vote. Computer Hardware and Software You must obtain, install, and use the Micros Software System Applications (“Micros”), as
Apple PayApple
rove (applies to the Gift Cards Program only); and g) Accept the following credit cards: Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express; and accept the following mobile payments: Apple Pay and Google
DoorDashDoorDash
Must pay the Loyalty Program Delivery Sales per order plus Olo fee, Third-Party Delivery Program (See 1.35% of Gross Sales per Program fee. See Note 18. Notes 1, 2 & order; 18). • Doordash Dashpass: 2
ezCaterezCater
us Olo 1.35% of Gross Sales per order; • Grubhub 15% plus Olo 1.35% of Gross Sales per order • UberOne: 24% of Gross Sales per order plus Olo 1.35% of Gross Sales per order; and • ezCater 17.75% plus
Google PayGoogle
to the Gift Cards Program only); and g) Accept the following credit cards: Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express; and accept the following mobile payments: Apple Pay and Google Pay, as metho
GrubhubGrubhub
at uses Dispatch/Rails where the service is available through Olo, our remote ordering partner, and serviced by approved third party delivery providers such as Doordash, UberEATS, Grubhub, Postmates a
OloOlo
(Control No.033126) Page 22 of 96 Type of Fee Amount Due Date Remarks Third-Party • Doordash : 20% of Gross As incurred. Must pay the Loyalty Program Delivery Sales per order plus Olo fee, Third-Party
PostmatesUber
e 1.35% of Gross Sales per Program fee. See Note 18. Notes 1, 2 & order; 18). • Doordash Dashpass: 22% of Gross Sales per order plus Olo 1.35% of Gross Sales per order; • UberEATS/Postmates: 21% of Gr
PunchhPAR Technology
lect, produce or maintain in connection with any such “customer satisfaction or feedback” programs. Note 17: Loyalty Program. We developed a Loyalty Program (“Loco Rewards”) using Punchh, which is cur
Uber EatsUber
ogram (See 1.35% of Gross Sales per Program fee. See Note 18. Notes 1, 2 & order; 18). • Doordash Dashpass: 22% of Gross Sales per order plus Olo 1.35% of Gross Sales per order; • UberEATS/Postmates:
Franchisor behaviours
What the franchisor requires
25 requirements the franchisor states in this filing, each in its own words; 3 explicit no's; 6 questions the text does not settle, which is not a no.
Accounting
Does the franchisor have direct or independent electronic access to the franchisee's financial, sales or customer records?
YesItem 11
We will have independent access to the information generated by your Restaurants that use Micros and we have the right to retrieve data and information from Micros and use it for any reasonable business purpose, including marketing and financial analysis purposes, or for other such purposes as we may set forth in the…
Must the franchisee submit periodic financial statements (monthly, quarterly or annual) to the franchisor?
YesFranchise agreement
Within 30 days after the end of each calendar quarter and within 120 days after the end of each calendar year during the term of this Agreement, Franchisee shall provide to Franchisor a financial statement of the franchise business which shall include such information and data as specified in the financial reporting…
How the franchisor buys
Does the franchisor reserve the right to change designated suppliers or systems at any time?
YesItem 8
we may designate sources that you must use for some or all products and services
How much revenue did the franchisor and its affiliates earn from franchisee purchases in the last fiscal year?
0Item 8
Other than stated above, in FY 2025, we did not derive any revenue from franchisees’ required purchases (including purchases from third parties) of any products or services.
Does the franchisor charge a fee to evaluate a proposed supplier?
YesItem 8
As described in Item 6 above, you will be required to reimburse us for our reasonable costs and expenses in connection with the evaluation.
Can a franchisee propose a new supplier for the franchisor's approval?
YesItem 8
You may submit to us a written request for approval of an alternative supplier.
Communications
Does the franchisor own or control the business telephone numbers, or take them over when the agreement ends?
YesFranchise agreement
if Franchisor assumes the Restaurant’s management so that Franchisor may keep the existing telephone, facsimile, alarm and credit card machine numbers (as applicable) in operation under Franchisor’s phone service provider.
Data and IT
Must the franchisee comply with PCI, data-security or cybersecurity standards set by the franchisor?
YesItem 11
Franchisees using Micros must comply with all PCI security requirements.
Franchise management
Must the franchisee participate in a customer-satisfaction or net-promoter survey program?
YesFranchise agreement
Franchisee shall allow and participate in such program(s), as required by Franchisor.
Does the franchisor conduct periodic inspections, audits or evaluations of the franchised business?
YesItem 11
Periodically inspect your Restaurant and deliver to you a written report of our evaluation.
Can the franchisor change the operations manual and brand standards unilaterally?
YesFranchise agreement
Franchisor may make such modifications, revisions, deletions and additions, including without limitation, modifications, revisions, deletions and additions to the Manual and to the menu items required to be offered by Franchisee, which Franchisor, in good faith and exercising its judgment believes to be desirable.
Must the franchisor approve the franchisee's site or location before opening?
YesItem 11
When you sign a Development Agreement for one or more new Restaurants, we have the sole and absolute right to approve or reject each site which you select within the designated geographical area.
Marketing
Is a minimum grand opening advertising spend required?
YesItem 11
In addition to your monthly Advertising Fee obligation, you must pay us $5,000 three months prior to your Restaurant’s expected opening to conduct Grand Opening advertising and promotional programs for your Restaurant mutually developed by you and Multi-State Disclosure Document (Control No.033126) Page 64 of 96 us…
Is the franchisee required to spend a minimum amount on local advertising or marketing, as a percentage of sales or a fixed amount?
YesItem 6
Note 4: You will pay an Advertising Fee of 5% of your Restaurant’s Net Sales if your Restaurant is located outside of the LA DMA.
Must the franchisee participate in a customer loyalty or rewards program?
YesItem 8
Your participation is mandatory in these Required Programs.
Must the franchisee participate in a regional advertising cooperative when one exists?
YesItem 11
If we have established an Advertising Association in your DMA, you must participate in the Advertising Association and its programs and abide by its by-laws.
Operations
Must the franchisee buy products from a designated distributor?
YesFranchise agreement
Franchisee must purchase only those products, equipment, goods, inventory, supplies and paper products that comply with the Specifications and only those brands, and only from those distributors, which are on the Approved Brands and Distributors List.
Must equipment be purchased from designated or approved suppliers?
YesItem 8
you must purchase goods, services, supplies, fixtures, equipment, POS hardware and software, signs (including traditional or digital menu boards), and inventory only from approved suppliers.
Payments
Are royalties and other fees collected by automatic bank debit (ACH or electronic funds transfer) from the franchisee's account?
YesFranchise agreement
Franchisee shall make all payments due hereunder by pre-arranged draft or sweep of Franchisee’s business bank operating account (“ACH”).
Must the franchisee participate in a gift card program?
YesItem 8
Your participation is mandatory in these Required Programs.
People
Does the franchisor require minimum staffing levels or specific roles?
YesFranchise agreement
Franchisee shall implement a training program for Franchisee's employees in accordance with training standards and procedures prescribed by Franchisor and shall staff the Restaurant at all times during the term of this Agreement with a sufficient number of trained employees.
Must employees wear uniforms specified by the franchisor?
YesFranchise agreement
Franchisee shall: Use only uniforms, Signs, cards, posters, notices, displays, decorations, table tents and other such advertising materials which are identical in appearance and quality to those furnished or approved by Franchisor.
Point of sale
Must the franchisee use a specific point-of-sale system designated or approved by the franchisor?
YesItem 11
Micros software is the only approved POS application.
Does the franchisor have independent access to the data in the franchisee's POS or computer system?
YesItem 11
We will have independent access to the information generated by your Restaurants that use Micros and we have the right to retrieve data and information from Micros and use it for any reasonable business purpose, including marketing and financial analysis purposes, or for other such purposes as we may set forth in the…
Training
Can the franchisor charge the franchisee for additional, refresher or remedial training?
YesItem 11
If you are required to send your Manager to a remedial training class, you will be charged a fee for that Manager’s participation and materials at the standard training fee of $500 per week per person at a CTR or FCTR (as determined by us in our sole discretion).
The filing answers no to 3 questions
- Is the franchisor or an affiliate itself a supplier of required products, services or systems?Item 8
- Does the franchisor or an affiliate receive rebates, commissions or other revenue from designated or approved suppliers?Item 8
- Is the franchisee prohibited from operating its own website or social media accounts, or required to use pages the franchisor provides?Franchise agreement
Who buys here
The buyer at this brand
The decision-maker a vendor sells to at this scale, and the gaps they’re paid to close, derived from our data by segment and unit count, not a guess.
HQ committee: CEO/President + VP Ops + IT/CIO + Franchise + procurement involved.
VP SalesHead of SalesCROSales Director
- 41.9% of quick service brands mandate no POS system, leaving a massive blind spot in your target list.By instantly identifying the 452 brands with no POS mandate, you replace weeks of manual FDD research and focus your pipeline on high-fit displacement targets, cutting customer acquisition cost by over 60%.
- 82.3% of brands mandate no accounting system, signaling a wide-open market for tech vendors.FranCloud surfaces the 888 brands without an accounting mandate so your team can prioritize outreach before competitors even know they exist, turning a manual research cost center into a predictable revenue engine.
- Only 17 out of 1,079 quick service brands mandate a CRM, yet unit counts and AUVs prove these are high-value accounts.Instead of spending 40+ hours manually combing FDDs to find CRM-needy brands, FranCloud delivers the 17 mandate-holders and their financials in one query, letting your team close deals 10x faster.
The vendor opportunity at El Pollo Loco
El Pollo Loco operates 503 restaurants, 328 franchised and 175 company-owned, under holding entity EPL Intermediate. Franchised outlets grew 0.923% year over year. The Item 19 figure is $2,228,475, for the cohort of EPL Restaurants in the United States operating during the entire 2025 fiscal year, excluding those temporarily closed for seven or more days. Mapped franchise operators concentrate in California (197), Arizona (25), Texas (21), Utah (9), and Colorado (3).
Who controls software purchasing
El Pollo Loco's corporate office specifies and can change the required Computer System and POS software under the Franchise Agreement. Chief Technology Officer Vadim Parizher is the closest buying-center contact for a software vendor; CEO Elizabeth Williams and CFO Ira Fils sit above that decision, with Chief Legal and People Officer Jason Weintraub and CMO Jill Adams rounding out the executive team.
Tech named in the FDD, and what is actually required
Franchisees must obtain, install, and use the Micros Software System Applications with the minimum hardware and software configuration El Pollo Loco requires, purchase the El Pollo Loco Micros software bundle, and obtain a license to Oracle's Reports & Analytics Portal. Franchisees must also obtain Broadband Internet access meeting El Pollo Loco's performance standard, and must purchase POS hardware and software only from approved suppliers. Item 6 lists Ecolab and Heartland (Global Payments) as mandated. Participation is mandatory in the Required Programs, including the Olo remote ordering system, the Punchh loyalty program, and the Dispatch/Rails third-party delivery program, and restaurants must accept Apple Pay and Google Pay. The FDD also names DoorDash and ezCater as approved delivery providers.
Procurement, renewals, and timing
Item 8 runs on an approved-supplier list: franchisees must purchase goods, services, supplies, fixtures, equipment, POS hardware and software, signs, and inventory only from approved suppliers, and may propose a supplier for El Pollo Loco's approval. The royalty runs 5.0% of sales on a 20-year initial term, with a 10-year successor term available to franchisees in good standing who sign the then-current Franchise Agreement. Franchised outlets grew 0.923% year over year, a modest but positive pace alongside that renewal cycle.
How to read the El Pollo Loco FDD
The embedded viewer below carries El Pollo Loco's 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document in full, including the Item 11 technology and Item 8 supplier-restriction language summarized above.
Talk to FranCloud for a ranked list of franchise systems like El Pollo Loco where the technology mandate and growth curve line up with your product.
Questions vendors ask
El Pollo Loco MD, IL, NY, VAEl Pollo Loco MD, IL, NY, VAEl Pollo Loco, answered from the filing
El Pollo Loco's corporate office in California specifies the required Micros point-of-sale and computer system under the Franchise Agreement. Chief Technology Officer Vadim Parizher is the direct buying-center contact, with CEO Elizabeth Williams and CFO Ira Fils positioned above that decision.
Item 11 requires the Oracle MICROS point-of-sale and computer system, including the El Pollo Loco Micros software bundle and a license to Oracle's Reports & Analytics Portal. Item 6 also lists Ecolab and Heartland (Global Payments) as mandated. Item 8 makes Olo ordering, Punchh loyalty, and Dispatch/Rails delivery mandatory and requires Apple Pay and Google Pay acceptance.
503 total units, 328 franchised and 175 company-owned, concentrated in California, Nevada, Texas, Arizona, and Utah, in the quick-service restaurant segment.
Item 8 runs on an approved-supplier list: franchisees must purchase goods, services, supplies, equipment, POS hardware and software, signage, and inventory only from approved suppliers, including proprietary items. Franchisees may propose a supplier for approval.
The initial term runs 20 years, with a 10-year successor term available to franchisees who satisfy Item 17's conditions, including a possible remodel and revised fees. Franchised outlets grew 0.923% year over year alongside that renewal cycle.
The embedded PDF viewer below carries El Pollo Loco's 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document.
Source
Read the filing itself
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FDD alert
Tell me when this brand refiles.
We’ll email you the moment El Pollo Loco MD, IL, NY, VAEl Pollo Loco MD, IL, NY, VAEl Pollo Loco files a new annual FDD, usually the freshest signal of a vendor change.
Operator footprint
Who runs the locations
78 operators run 268 mapped locations. 35 of them are multi-unit. Aggregate counts from the filing; no names.
Operators by units owned
Single-unit43
2–9 units31
10–24 units3
25+ units1
Top states by locations
| CA | 197 |
|---|---|
| AZ | 25 |
| TX | 21 |
| UT | 9 |
| CO | 3 |
Ownership
The portfolio behind El Pollo Loco MD, IL, NY, VAEl Pollo Loco MD, IL, NY, VAEl Pollo Loco
unknown of epl intermediate.
Related Quick service restaurant brands
Primary franchise filings · updated September 2026. Every figure is source-traceable and QA-checked.