Restaurant Manager

El Pollote; Islington; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A vibrant Latino restaurant chain in Carnaby Street is seeking an experienced General Manager to lead operations and develop the team. The ideal candidate should have significant experience in a busy restaurant setting, strong leadership skills, and a passion for hospitality and Latino culture. The role offers a salary of £40,000 – £45,000 and includes a performance bonus structure and staff benefits.

Benefits

Performance bonus structure

Staff meals

Discounts

Creative involvement in the brand

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a General Manager in a busy, high-pressure restaurant.
• Strong leadership and communication skills.
• Comfortable taking ownership and leading by example.
• Passion for hospitality and Latino culture.

Responsibilities

• Take full responsibility for day-to-day operations.
• Lead and develop front and back-of-house teams.
• Manage stock, rotas, cost control, and systems.
• Maintain high hospitality and hygiene standards.
• Support recruitment, training, and onboarding.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Cost control

Team management

Fluency in English

Fluency in Spanish

Job description

Overview

Hi, I’m Rotsen co-founder of El Pollote. After years of building this place with my partner Katherine, we’ve reached a point where we need someone to step in and lead the day-to-day operations so we can focus on the bigger picture. This isn’t just a job post. It’s us being real: we’ve built something we care deeply about, but we can’t do it alone anymore. We’re looking for an experienced, driven and hands-on General Manager to take charge of our Carnaby Street location and help lead El Pollote into its next chapter.

About El Pollote: El Pollote is a bold and unapologetic celebration of Latino flavour and street energy, served through award-winning food, vibrant cocktails and a team that brings the vibe every day. We’re not a typical fried chicken joint—we’re something different, something louder, something that lives and breathes passion and pride. We’re proud to be independent, immigrant-built, and flavour-first. Our food is made from scratch, our culture is rooted in Latin America and our energy comes from the streets we grew up in.

What You’ll Do

• Take full responsibility for day-to-day operations at our Carnaby Street restaurant.
• Lead and develop our front and back-of-house teams with confidence, fairness and energy.
• Manage stock, rotas, cost control and systems with precision.
• Maintain high standards of hospitality, hygiene and overall customer experience.
• Support recruitment, training and onboarding of new team members.
• Report directly to ownership and work closely to shape the future of the business.
• Help us evolve while protecting the core values that made El Pollote what it is.

What We’re Looking For

• Proven experience as a General Manager in a busy, high-pressure restaurant.
• Strong leadership and communication skills, you lead by example.
• A head for numbers and systems and a heart for people.
• Someone comfortable taking ownership, not just following orders.
• Passion for hospitality, Latino culture, and creating great experiences.
• Fluent in English and Spanish (required for team communication).

What We’re Offering

• Salary: £40,000 – £45,000, depending on experience.
• Performance bonus structure tied to revenue, staff retention and guest experience.
• Full creative involvement in the future of the brand.
• Staff meals, discounts and a role you can genuinely make your own.
• A workplace where your voice matters and where we work hard but never fake it.

Interviews will take place in June.

We’re hoping to start the new year with the right person in place. If this sounds like a challenge you’re ready for or you know someone who fits the bill, then please get in touch!

Experience: Required
Languages: English – Advanced. Spanish – Advanced
Employment: Full-time
Salary: £40,000 – £45,000 yearly

About El Pollote: El Pollote specialises in gluten and dairy free Fried Chicken with latin flavours! We have won several awards with our Guava Glaze and Dulce de leche wings and we are very proud to share our sabor latino with the world!