Fiscal year 2025 executive and director compensation, incentive-plan design, equity activity, and governance — every figure in this brief is traceable to its exact location in the company’s SEC filing — the document, the section, the page, and the table, linked directly.
Each company listed discloses LOCO in its own benchmarking peer group, as disclosed in each company's most recent proxy statement within the last two proxy seasons. Two companies are therefore absent by design: one that named LOCO in an earlier year and no longer does, and one whose own most recent disclosure is older than the last two seasons.
| Named executive officer | Salary | Bonus | Stock awards | Option awards | Non-equity incentive | Pension / NQDC | All other | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elizabeth Williams | $750,950 | $0 | $1,434,000 | $717,000 | $581,162 | $0 | $56,208 | $3,539,320 |
| Chief Executive Officer | ||||||||
| Ira Fils | 438,800 | 0 | 400,000 | 200,000 | 253,851 | 0 | 55,788 | 1,348,439 |
| Chief Financial Officer | ||||||||
| Maria Hollandsworth | 517,786 | 0 | 250,000 | 125,000 | 266,749 | 0 | 45,376 | 1,204,911 |
| Former President and Chief Operating Officer | ||||||||
A dash means the company reported no figure in that column; 0 means it reported zero. Figures are as printed in the filing, without adjustment.
| Named executive officer | FY2025 total | FY2024 total | FY2023 total | Δ FY2024→2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elizabeth Williams | $3,539,320 | $4,712,877 | — | −1,173,557 |
| Ira Fils | 1,348,439 | 1,363,689 | 1,359,787 | −15,250 |
| Maria Hollandsworth | 1,204,911 | 2,069,796 | 983,361 | −864,885 |
Prior-year totals as disclosed in the corresponding proxy; deltas are computed values with the derivation shown in the register.
No insider equity transactions reported since the proxy statement.
| Executive | Award | Grant date | Threshold | Target | Granted | Maximum | Grant-date fair value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elizabeth Williams | OTHER | 2025-03-11 | — | — | 145,369 | — | $717,000 |
| Elizabeth Williams | RSA | 2025-03-11 | — | — | 68,778 | — | 717,000 |
| Ira Fils | OTHER | 2025-03-11 | — | — | 40,568 | — | 200,000 |
| Ira Fils | RSA | 2025-03-11 | — | — | 19,194 | — | 200,000 |
| Elizabeth Williams | PSU | 2025-03-11 | 68,778 | 68,778 | — | 137,556 | 717,000 |
| Ira Fils | PSU | 2025-03-11 | 19,194 | 19,194 | — | 38,388 | 200,000 |
| Named executive officer | Time-vested (RSU) | Performance-vested (PSU) | Options / SARs | % performance-vested |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elizabeth Williams | $0 | $717,000 | $0 | 100.0% |
| Ira Fils | 0 | 200,000 | 0 | 100.0% |
% performance-vested = PSU grant-date fair value ÷ (RSU + PSU + Options), a computed value with the derivation shown in the register.
| Executive | Award | Shares unvested | Exercise price | Market value unvested |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maria Hollandsworth | PSU | 344,250 | — | $3,600,851 |
| Elizabeth Williams | RSU | 64,531 | — | 674,994 |
| Maria Hollandsworth | PSU | 5,998 | — | 62,739 |
| Elizabeth Williams | Option | 58,140 | 10.32 | — |
| Elizabeth Williams | PSU | 13,845 | — | 144,819 |
| Elizabeth Williams | PSU | 2,563 | — | 24,700 |
| Elizabeth Williams | Option | 145,369 | 10.42 | — |
| Ira Fils | Option | 40,568 | 10.42 | — |
| Ira Fils | Option | 28,802 | 9.06 | — |
| Elizabeth Williams | Option | 128,571 | 10.46 | — |
| Elizabeth Williams | RSU | 33,822 | — | 353,778 |
| Ira Fils | RSU | 19,194 | — | 200,769 |
| Ira Fils | PSU | 19,194 | — | 200,769 |
| Ira Fils | RSU | 13,787 | — | 144,317 |
| Ira Fils | Option | 35,714 | 10.46 | — |
| Ira Fils | PSU | 9,597 | — | 100,384 |
| Elizabeth Williams | RSU | 1,281 | — | 13,400 |
| Elizabeth Williams | PSU | 68,778 | — | 719,418 |
| Elizabeth Williams | PSU | 750,000 | — | 7,844,997 |
| Ira Fils | PSU | 327,600 | — | 3,426,692 |
| Maria Hollandsworth | PSU | 11,996 | — | 125,000 |
| Elizabeth Williams | PSU | 34,389 | — | 359,709 |
| Elizabeth Williams | RSU | 68,778 | — | 719,418 |
| Ira Fils | RSU | 17,925 | — | 187,495 |
| Ira Fils | RSU | 13,369 | — | 139,840 |
At the heart of our compensation programs is a pay-for-performance philosophy. Our named executive officers have a significant percentage of their compensation at risk, meaning that if the Company performs at, above, or below its target goals, the named executive officer will be paid at, above or below his or her target compensation.
| CEO STI target (% of salary) | 100% |
|---|---|
| CEO LTI target (% of salary) | — |
| Independent consultant | Semler Brossy |
| Clawback policy | true |
| Anti-hedging | true |
| Anti-pledging | True |
| Meeting year | Meeting date | For | Against | Abstain | Support | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2026-05-26 | 21,942,592 | 175,574 | 12,059 | 99.15% | Passed |
| 2025 | 2025-05-29 | 21,481,685 | 1,257,738 | 1,594,983 | 88.28% | Passed |
| 2024 | 2024-05-28 | 22,827,422 | 836,168 | 147,330 | 96.47% | Passed |
| 2023 | 2023-06-06 | 20,775,037 | 945,671 | 50,723 | 95.65% | Passed |
| 2022 | 2022-06-07 | 30,858,245 | 1,007,050 | 28,216 | 96.84% | Passed |
| 2021 | 2021-06-08 | 31,052,398 | 692,890 | 19,808 | 97.82% | Passed |
Rows are labeled by annual-meeting year, with the meeting date beside each; the vote held in a given year acts on the prior fiscal year's compensation.
| Meeting year | Meeting date | Approval — company's computation |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2026-05-26 | 99.15%a |
| 2025 | 2025-05-29 | 88.28%b |
| 2024 | 2024-05-28 | 96.47%c |
a. Approved under the standard stated in the filing — “Abstentions will have the effect of a vote "Against" each of these proposals.”.
b. Approved under the standard stated in the filing — “Abstentions and broker non-votes will have the effect of votes cast "Against" these proposals.”.
c. Voting standard not stated in the filing.
Approval percentages are the company's own reported computations under its own stated standard, not recomputed by Velarion. Where a company does not state a standard, none is assumed.
| Ratio (CEO : median employee) | 178 : 1 |
|---|---|
| CEO total compensation | $3,062,506 |
| Median employee compensation | $17,168 |
| Director | Cash fees | Stock awards | Option awards | Non-equity incentive | All other | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| William R. FloydIndependent · Departed during FY | $115,000 | $140,000 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $255,000 |
| Samuel N. BorgeseIndependent · Compensation (Chair) · ESG · Departed during FY | 90,000 | 90,000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 180,000 |
| Douglas J. BabbIndependent · Board Chair · Compensation | 85,000 | 90,000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 175,000 |
| Nancy Faginas-CodyIndependent · Audit · Nominating and Corporate Governance (Chair) · ESG | 82,500 | 90,000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 172,500 |
| Deborah GonzalezIndependent · Compensation (Chair) · Nominating and Corporate Governance · ESG | 75,000 | 90,000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 165,000 |
| Mark BullerIndependent · Compensation · Nominating and Corporate Governance | 75,000 | 90,000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 165,000 |
| Joe TaylorIndependent · Audit (Chair) · Compensation · Partial-year service | 38,750 | 90,000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 128,750 |
| Tana DavilaIndependent · Audit · Compensation · Partial-year service · Newly elected | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Frank GarridoIndependent · Compensation · Nominating and Corporate Governance · Partial-year service · Newly elected | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Robert D. WrightIndependent · Audit · Compensation · Partial-year service | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Elizabeth WilliamsEmployee director | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 |
| Annual cash retainer | $60,000 |
|---|---|
| Annual equity retainer | $90,000 |
| Per board meeting fee | — |
| Committee chair fees (audit / comp / nom-gov) | 15,000 / 12,500 / 10,000 |
| Stock ownership guideline | 5x annual cash retainer ($300,000) |
| Component | FY2025 |
|---|---|
| Cash retainers and fees | $561,250 |
| Equity awards (grant-date value) | $680,000 |
| All other compensation | $0 |
| Total cost of the board | $1,241,250 |
Computed as the sum of the director compensation table rows above; inputs and formula shown in the register.
The compensation peer group as the company disclosed it in its own proxy — the reference set behind the percentile above.
Of the companies El Pollo Loco Holdings names as compensation peers, which name it back in their own disclosed peer groups. A peer set the market reciprocates reads differently from one selected in a single direction.
Reciprocity shown where the peer's own current proxy has been read — each mark is cited in the register to that peer's filing. A dash means the peer's current proxy was read and names no reciprocal group including El Pollo Loco Holdings.
Most recent fiscal-year chief executive compensation at each disclosed peer, taken from that company's own proxy statement.
| Rank | Company | FY | Chief executive | Salary | Stock awards | Option awards | Non-equity incentive | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dine Brands Global, Inc. | 2025 | John Peyton | $1,000,000 | $2,213,577 | $0 | $2,158,500 | $5,417,315 |
| 2 | Denny's Corporation | 2023 | Kelli Valade | 905,962 | 3,769,067 | 0 | 615,148 | 5,363,088 |
| 3 | El Pollo Loco Holdings | 2025 | Elizabeth Williams | 750,950 | 1,434,000 | 717,000 | 581,162 | 3,539,320 |
| 4 | BJ's Restaurants Inc. | 2025 | Lyle Tick | 710,769 | 1,567,179 | 319,590 | 637,143 | 3,441,781 |
| 5 | Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc. | 2025 | David Pace | 510,577 | 1,567,000 | 0 | 1,169,494 | 3,252,947 |
| 6 | Sweetgreen, Inc. | 2025 | Jonathan Neman | 550,000 | 0 | 2,675,937 | 0 | 3,226,081 |
| 7 | Chuy's Holdings, Inc. | 2023 | Steve Hislop | 745,498 | 559,088 | 0 | 745,498 | 2,068,041 |
| — | Kura Sushi USA, Inc. | — | — | — | — | — | — | not in coverage universe |
| — | Potbelly Corporation | — | — | — | — | — | — | not in coverage universe |
| — | Noodles & Company | — | — | — | — | — | — | not in coverage universe |
| — | FAT Brands | — | — | — | — | — | — | not in coverage universe |
| — | Portillo's Inc. | — | — | — | — | — | — | not in coverage universe |
| — | CAVA | — | — | — | — | — | — | not in coverage universe |
| — | Dutch Brothers | — | — | — | — | — | — | not in coverage universe |
Each peer's compensation is from its most recently filed proxy; fiscal years differ by company. Each peer's figures come from its own filings; the subject company is highlighted. Peers whose chief executive compensation is outside our coverage universe are stated as such, never left blank.
| Company | Annual incentive payout | Long-term vehicle mix | PSU measures include TSR | Compensation consultant |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| El Pollo Loco Holdings | 77.5% | PSU 33 · RSU 33 · Options 33 | No | Semler Brossy |
| BJ's Restaurants Inc. | 100% | PSU 60 · RSU 20 · Options 20 | Yes — Relative Total Shareholder Return (TSR) | Frederic W. Cook & Co., Inc. |
| CAVA | not disclosed | not disclosed | not disclosed | not disclosed |
| Chuy's Holdings, Inc. | 100% | RSU 100 | not disclosed | Mercer |
| Denny's Corporation | 68.0% | PSU 50 · RSU 50 | Yes | FW Cook |
| Dine Brands Global, Inc. | 91.96% | Cash LTI 75 · RSU 25 | No | Exequity LLP |
| Dutch Brothers | not disclosed | not disclosed | not disclosed | not disclosed |
| FAT Brands | not disclosed | not disclosed | not disclosed | not disclosed |
| Kura Sushi USA, Inc. | not disclosed | not disclosed | not disclosed | not disclosed |
| Noodles & Company | 20% | PSU 67 · RSU 33 | No | FW Cook |
| Portillo's Inc. | not disclosed | not disclosed | not disclosed | not disclosed |
| Potbelly Corporation | not disclosed | not disclosed | not disclosed | not disclosed |
| Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc. | 103.96% | RSU 50 · PSU 25 · PPSU 25 | Yes — Relative TSR | Meridian Compensation Partners, LLC |
| Sweetgreen, Inc. | not disclosed | Options 100 | not disclosed | Semler Brossy Consulting Group LLC |
Read from each company's Compensation Discussion and Analysis: annual incentive payout as a percentage of target, the disclosed long-term vehicle mix, whether performance-share measures include a total shareholder return component, and the retained compensation consultant. “Not disclosed” appears only where the company's filing does not state the item.
Each figure's location is given both for the eye (section · page · table · row · column) and for a script (table/row/column index and exact character span in the filed document). Any figure can be independently confirmed against the source.
| # | Supports | Document | Filed | Accession | Location in document |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Section 01, Elizabeth Williams | DEF 14A | 2026-04-30 | 0001606366-26-000021 | Section “2025 Summary Compensation Table”. As printed: 3,539,320. Filing ↗machine: t144 · r5 · c23 · span 798734–798743 |
| 2 | Section 01, Ira Fils | DEF 14A | 2026-04-30 | 0001606366-26-000021 | Section “2025 Summary Compensation Table”. As printed: 1,348,439. Filing ↗machine: t144 · r8 · c23 · span 817099–817108 |
| 3 | Section 01, Maria Hollandsworth | DEF 14A | 2026-04-30 | 0001606366-26-000021 | Section “2025 Summary Compensation Table”. As printed: 1,204,911. Filing ↗machine: t144 · r12 · c23 · span 841776–841785 |
| 4 | Section 03, Elizabeth Williams OTHER | DEF 14A | 2026-04-30 | 0001606366-26-000021 | Section “EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION TABLES” · grants of plan-based awards table. Filing ↗machine: t144 · r5 · c14 · span 796370–796377 |
| 5 | Section 03, Elizabeth Williams RSA | DEF 14A | 2026-04-30 | 0001606366-26-000021 | Section “EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION TABLES” · grants of plan-based awards table. Filing ↗machine: t144 · r5 · c14 · span 796370–796377 |
| 6 | Section 03, Ira Fils OTHER | DEF 14A | 2026-04-30 | 0001606366-26-000021 | Section “EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION TABLES” · grants of plan-based awards table. Filing ↗machine: t155 · r24 · c6 · span 1022488–1022494 |
| 7 | Section 03, Ira Fils RSA | DEF 14A | 2026-04-30 | 0001606366-26-000021 | Section “EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION TABLES” · grants of plan-based awards table. Filing ↗machine: t155 · r21 · c15 · span 1005981–1005987 |
| 8 | Section 03, Elizabeth Williams PSU | DEF 14A | 2026-04-30 | 0001606366-26-000021 | Section “EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION TABLES” · grants of plan-based awards table. Filing ↗machine: t144 · r5 · c14 · span 796370–796377 |
| 9 | Section 03, Ira Fils PSU | DEF 14A | 2026-04-30 | 0001606366-26-000021 | Section “EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION TABLES” · grants of plan-based awards table. Filing ↗machine: t155 · r21 · c15 · span 1005981–1005987 |
| 10 | Section 07, pay ratio | DEF 14A | 2026-04-30 | 0001606366-26-000021 | Section “CEO Pay Ratio”. As printed: 178 : 1. Filing ↗machine: span 1306628–1306631 |
| 11 | Section 08, William R. Floyd | DEF 14A | 2026-04-30 | 0001606366-26-000021 | Section “Director Compensation”. As printed: 255,000. Filing ↗machine: t95 · r5 · c9 · span 326817–326824 |
| 12 | Section 08, Samuel N. Borgese | DEF 14A | 2026-04-30 | 0001606366-26-000021 | Section “Director Compensation”. As printed: 180,000. Filing ↗machine: t95 · r7 · c9 · span 331493–331500 |
| 13 | Section 08, Douglas J. Babb | DEF 14A | 2026-04-30 | 0001606366-26-000021 | Section “Director Compensation”. As printed: 175,000. Filing ↗machine: t95 · r6 · c9 · span 329057–329064 |
| 14 | Section 08, Nancy Faginas-Cody | DEF 14A | 2026-04-30 | 0001606366-26-000021 | Section “Director Compensation”. As printed: 172,500. Filing ↗machine: t95 · r9 · c9 · span 336166–336173 |
| 15 | Section 08, Deborah Gonzalez | DEF 14A | 2026-04-30 | 0001606366-26-000021 | Section “Director Compensation”. As printed: 165,000. Filing ↗machine: t95 · r10 · c9 · span 338407–338414 |
| 16 | Section 08, Mark Buller | DEF 14A | 2026-04-30 | 0001606366-26-000021 | Section “Director Compensation”. As printed: 165,000. Filing ↗machine: t95 · r8 · c9 · span 333733–333740 |
| 17 | Section 08, Joe Taylor | DEF 14A | 2026-04-30 | 0001606366-26-000021 | Section “Director Compensation”. As printed: 128,750. Filing ↗machine: t95 · r11 · c9 · span 341226–341233 |
| 18 | Section 08, Tana Davila | DEF 14A | 2026-04-30 | 0001606366-26-000021 | Section “Director Compensation”. As printed: 0. Filing ↗ |
| 19 | Section 08, Frank Garrido | DEF 14A | 2026-04-30 | 0001606366-26-000021 | Section “Director Compensation”. As printed: 0. Filing ↗ |
| 20 | Section 08, Robert D. Wright | DEF 14A | 2026-04-30 | 0001606366-26-000021 | Section “Director Compensation”. As printed: 0. Filing ↗ |
| 21 | Section 08, Elizabeth Williams | DEF 14A | 2026-04-30 | 0001606366-26-000021 | Section “Director Compensation”. As printed: 0. Filing ↗ |
| 22 | Section 06, 2026 vote | Form 8-K | 2026-05-29 | 0001104659-26-068234 | Item 5.07 · say-on-pay result. As reported: 99.15% (votes for as printed: 21,942,592). Filing ↗ |
| 23 | Section 06, 2025 vote | Form 8-K | 2025-06-05 | 0001213900-25-051311 | Item 5.07 · say-on-pay result. As reported: 88.28% (votes for as printed: 21,481,685). Filing ↗ |
| 24 | Section 06, 2024 vote | Form 8-K | 2024-06-03 | 0001213900-24-049090 | Item 5.07 · say-on-pay result. As reported: 96.47% (votes for as printed: 22,827,422). Filing ↗ |
| 25 | Section 01 trend, Δ column (computed) | Computed | — | computed | Δ = current-FY total − prior-FY total per named officer.machine: formula: Δ = FY(n) − FY(n−1) |
| 26 | Section 03b vehicle mix (computed) | Computed | — | computed | RSU / PSU / Options grant-date fair values summed per officer from the grants table; % performance-vested = PSU ÷ (RSU+PSU+Options).machine: formula: sums + PSU ratio |
| 27 | Section 09b board cost (computed) | Computed | — | computed | Cash 561,250 + equity 680,000 + all other 0 = 1,241,250, summed across the director compensation table rows.machine: formula: Σ = 1,241,250 |
| 28 | Dine Brands Global, Inc., Section 10b CEO total | DEF 14A | 2026-03-27 | 0001193125-26-127555 | CEO total compensation as printed in Dine Brands Global, Inc.'s own proxy. As printed: 5,417,315. Filing ↗machine: r4 · c31 · span 603550–603559 |
| 29 | Denny's Corporation, Section 10b CEO total | DEF 14A | — | 0001193125-24-086559 | CEO total compensation as printed in Denny's Corporation's own proxy. As printed: 5,363,088. Filing ↗machine: t156 · r3 · c27 · span 605566–605575 |
| 30 | El Pollo Loco Holdings (subject), Section 10b CEO total | DEF 14A | 2026-04-30 | 0001606366-26-000021 | CEO total compensation as printed in El Pollo Loco Holdings's own proxy. As printed: 3,539,320. Filing ↗machine: t144 · r5 · c23 · span 798734–798743 |
| 31 | BJ's Restaurants Inc., Section 10b CEO total | DEF 14A | 2026-04-22 | 0001193125-26-169008 | CEO total compensation as printed in BJ's Restaurants Inc.'s own proxy. As printed: 3,441,781. Filing ↗machine: span 2374397–2374406 |
| 32 | Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc., Section 10b CEO total | DEF 14A | 2026-03-26 | 0001104659-26-035198 | CEO total compensation as printed in Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc.'s own proxy. As printed: 3,252,947. Filing ↗machine: r1 · c46 · span 824567–824576 |
| 33 | Sweetgreen, Inc., Section 10b CEO total | DEF 14A | 2026-04-23 | 0001140361-26-016260 | CEO total compensation as printed in Sweetgreen, Inc.'s own proxy. As printed: 3,226,081. Filing ↗machine: r2 · c25 · span 758912–758922 |
| 34 | Chuy's Holdings, Inc., Section 10b CEO total | DEF 14A | — | 0001524931-24-000072 | CEO total compensation as printed in Chuy's Holdings, Inc.'s own proxy. As printed: 2,068,041. Filing ↗machine: t17 · r2 · c19 · span 276662–276671 |
| 35 | Section 10a, Dine Brands Global, Inc. reciprocity | DEF 14A | — | 0001193125-26-127555 | Dine Brands Global, Inc.'s most recent proxy was read; its disclosed peer group does not include El Pollo Loco Holdings. Filing ↗ |
| 36 | Section 10a, Sweetgreen, Inc. reciprocity | DEF 14A | — | 0001140361-26-016260 | Sweetgreen, Inc.'s most recent proxy was read; its disclosed peer group does not include El Pollo Loco Holdings. Filing ↗ |
| 37 | Section 10a, Noodles & Company reciprocity | DEF 14A | — | 0001275158-25-000036 | Noodles & Company names El Pollo Loco Holdings in its own disclosed peer group (read from its most recent proxy). Filing ↗ |
| 38 | Section 10a, Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc. reciprocity | DEF 14A | — | 0001104659-26-035198 | Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc. names El Pollo Loco Holdings in its own disclosed peer group (read from its most recent proxy). Filing ↗ |
| 39 | Section 10a, Chuy's Holdings, Inc. reciprocity | DEF 14A | — | 0001524931-24-000072 | Chuy's Holdings, Inc.'s most recent proxy was read; its disclosed peer group does not include El Pollo Loco Holdings. Filing ↗ |
| 40 | Section 10a, BJ's Restaurants Inc. reciprocity | DEF 14A | — | 0001193125-26-169008 | BJ's Restaurants Inc. names El Pollo Loco Holdings in its own disclosed peer group (read from its most recent proxy). Filing ↗ |