EPL Intermediate Inc., parent company of El Pollo Loco Inc., announced the promotion of Steve Sather to president and CEO and the appointment of Samuel N. Borgese to executive chairman of the board of El Pollo Loco Inc.

Sather joined El Pollo Loco in January of 2006 to lead both company and franchise operations, bringing more than 30 years of restaurant industry and executive management experience to the company. As senior vice president of operations, Sather aligned employees and franchise owners around a quest for operational excellence. Sather was appointed acting president and CEO of the Company in mid August of 2010.

Prior to joining El Pollo Loco, Sather was senior vice president of retail operations for Great Circle Family Foods LLC, 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. Sather holds a bachelor’s degree in business from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.

“Steve brings a wealth of experience, passion for the brand, and proven leadership to his new role as president and CEO, and we are confident that he is the right executive to execute strategic initiatives and expand the El Pollo Loco platform,” says Dean Kehler, managing partner of Trimaran Capital Partners LLC.

EPL Intermediate Inc. also announced the appointment of Samuel N. Borgese to executive chairman of the board of directors of El Pollo Loco Inc. In this role, Borgese will be actively involved in helping El Pollo Loco execute its strategy.

A senior executive leader with a proven track record of successfully adapting businesses to a changing consumer base and marketplace, Borgese brings extensive industry experience to the board. Prior to joining El Pollo Loco, Borgese served as president and CEO of CB Holding Corp., a New Jersey–based restaurant company with 86 locations and earlier as president and CEO of Catalina Restaurant Group, a Carlsbad, California–based restaurant company with more than 220 locations in the Southwestern U.S.

“We are thrilled to have these two gifted and highly experienced restaurant industry executives at the helm of El Pollo Loco and know that they will lead our dedicated group of employees and franchisees in growing this outstanding brand,” Kehler says.