El Pollo Loco Working Hours 2026
Most El Pollo Loco restaurants open at 10:00 AM and close at 10:00 PM, seven days a week, including weekends. Some locations stay open until 11:00 PM on Fridays and Saturdays, while many Sunday locations close a bit earlier, around 9:00 PM. Since most restaurants are franchised, El Pollo Loco hours can vary by location, so a quick check before you go never hurts.
El Pollo Loco Hours: Daily Opening and Closing Times
Here’s the short version. Walk into almost any El Pollo Loco and you’ll find the doors open from 10 in the morning until 10 at night, Monday through Sunday. That’s the standard. It’s simple, it’s consistent, and honestly, it’s one of the easier fast-food schedules to remember.
| Day | Typical Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Monday – Thursday | 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM | Standard daily hours |
| Friday – Saturday | 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM or 11:00 PM | Many locations extend to 11 PM |
| Sunday | 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM or 10:00 PM | Some spots close earlier |
Now, real talk: those are the averages. El Pollo Loco runs hundreds of franchise locations across the US (heavily concentrated in California, Texas, Arizona, Nevada and Utah), and franchise owners can tweak their hours a bit. A location inside a busy shopping center might close a little earlier, while a standalone spot on a main road might stretch to 11 PM on weekends.
Are El Pollo Loco Drive-Thru Hours Different?
Yes, and this one catches people off guard. At many El Pollo Loco restaurants, the dining room closes one to two hours before the drive-thru. So if the posted closing time is 10:00 PM, the drive-thru window might still be serving until then while the lobby locked up around 8:30 or 9:00.
Why does that matter? If you’re planning a sit-down dinner with the family, don’t roll in at 9:45 expecting a table. But if you just need a burrito on the way home, the drive-thru has your back. Most locations offer dine-in, drive-thru and takeout side by side, and delivery usually becomes available where third-party apps serve the area. Planning a late pickup? Check the El Pollo Loco menu first so you know what to order before you hit the speaker.
El Pollo Loco Opening Hours on Sunday
Sunday is the one day where El Pollo Loco hours get a little fuzzy. Most locations still open at 10:00 AM, same as every other day. The difference is on the back end: plenty of restaurants wrap up around 9:00 PM instead of 10:00 PM on Sundays.
Is El Pollo Loco open on Sunday for the full day? In most cases, yes, you’re looking at a solid 11-hour window. That’s plenty of time for lunch, dinner, or both. Just don’t assume the 10 PM close if your location is one of the early-closing ones.
Is El Pollo Loco Open on Holidays?
Pretty much, with one big exception. El Pollo Loco stays open on nearly every holiday, including New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, Labor Day and even Thanksgiving (usually with reduced hours, often something like 10:00 AM to 5:30 or 6:00 PM). Christmas Eve also runs shortened hours, with many locations closing around 5:00 or 6:00 PM.
Christmas Day is the exception. Most El Pollo Loco restaurants close completely on December 25, so don’t plan your holiday chicken fix for that day.
| Holiday | Status | Typical Hours |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Open | Regular or slightly reduced |
| MLK Day / Presidents’ Day | Open | Regular hours |
| Good Friday / Easter | Open | Regular hours |
| Memorial Day | Open | Regular hours |
| Independence Day (July 4) | Open | Regular hours |
| Labor Day | Open | Regular hours |
| Thanksgiving | Open (reduced) | Often 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM |
| Black Friday | Open | Regular hours |
| Christmas Eve | Open (reduced) | Often closes 5:00 – 6:00 PM |
| Christmas Day | Closed | Most locations closed |
| New Year’s Eve | Open | Often 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM |
Heads up: is El Pollo Loco open on Christmas is one of the most searched questions every December, and the answer really is “only on Christmas Eve, and not for long.” Always call your local restaurant or check the official store locator near a holiday, since holiday schedules are the one time franchise owners go their own way.
Does El Pollo Loco Serve Breakfast, and When?
Kind of. El Pollo Loco isn’t really a breakfast-first chain the way some competitors are. That said, select locations serve breakfast burritos during the morning hours, and the full regular menu kicks in from the moment the doors open at 10:00 AM.
So if you’re craving chicken before noon, you’re not out of luck, you just shouldn’t expect an egg-sandwich lineup. Your best bet at 10:00 AM is the full menu: burritos, bowls, tacos and family meals, all fair game. Honestly, a pollo bowl at 10 in the morning is a power move.
❓ El Pollo Loco Hours FAQ
What time does El Pollo Loco open?
Most locations open at 10:00 AM every day, including weekends. A few spots open as early as 9:00 AM.
What time does El Pollo Loco close?
The standard close is 10:00 PM, seven days a week. Many locations stay open until 11:00 PM on Fridays and Saturdays, while some close around 9:00 PM on Sundays.
Is El Pollo Loco open on Christmas Day?
No. Christmas Day is the one holiday most El Pollo Loco restaurants close for. Christmas Eve is open with reduced hours, usually closing around 5:00 to 6:00 PM.
Is El Pollo Loco open on Thanksgiving?
Yes, most locations are open on Thanksgiving, but with reduced hours, often 10:00 AM to 5:30 or 6:00 PM. Call ahead, since this one varies a lot by location.
