EPL Intermediate Inc., parent company of El Pollo Loco Inc., announced that Steve Carley, president and CEO of El Pollo Loco Inc., has tendered his resignation effective September 12 from all of his positions with the company and of El Pollo Loco Inc. to pursue other opportunities.

A strong brand leader with more than 28 years of marketing and operations expertise, Carley joined El Pollo Loco as president and CEO in April of 2001. During his tenure with the company, he brought the brand an entrepreneurial spirit with a culture of discipline and aligned employees around clearly defined performance criteria.

Upon Carley’s departure on September 12, Steve Sather, El Pollo Loco’s senior vice president of operations, will assume the role of acting president and CEO of El Pollo Loco Inc. and continue to serve in his current position.

“Steve Sather’s passion for our brand, restaurant leadership experience, and strategic acumen will provide El Pollo Loco strong and effective leadership,” Carley says. “I couldn’t be more pleased or supportive of Steve.”

Sather joined El Pollo Loco in January of 2006 as vice president of operations. Prior to joining El Pollo Loco, Sather was senior vice president of retail operations for Great Circle Family Foods LLC, the franchise operator of Krispy Kreme Doughnuts in Southern California. Earlier, Sather was chief operating officer for Rubio’s Restaurants Inc. and held senior management positions with Rally’s Hamburgers, La Salsa Holding Company, and Taco Bell.