Area Leader

El Pollo Loco; Brea (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Great Place to Work recognition

Career growth opportunities

Equity compensation

Job summary

El Pollo Loco is seeking an Area Leader to oversee operations across multiple restaurant locations in Southern California. The role focuses on driving growth, operational excellence, and a positive work environment while leading general managers and shift leaders to achieve targets.

You will manage budgets, monitor KPIs, coach leaders, ensure compliance with safety standards, and partner with People Services, Loss Prevention, and Marketing to execute regional strategies.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership in multi-unit settings.
• Strong communication and coaching abilities.
• Ability to analyze financials and drive improvements.

Responsibilities

• Oversee operations of multiple restaurants within a geographic area.
• Hire, train, and mentor leadership teams across locations.
• Manage annual budgets and monitor KPIs to improve performance.
• Ensure compliance with laws, food safety, and company standards.
• Collaborate with People Services, Loss Prevention, and Marketing teams.

Skills

Leadership

Team development

Financial analysis

Strategic planning

Communication

Education

High school diploma or GED

BA/BS degree preferred

5+ years General Management experience

3+ years QSR Area Leader experience

Job description

At El Pollo Loco, we are on a mission to be the nation’s leading fire-grilled chicken restaurant. When it comes to our people, we are all about growth. Whether that means specialized training, a clearly laid out career trajectory or collaborating cross-functionally, we are committed to the success of our people the same way we’ve been committed to the success of the El Pollo Loco brand for the last 50 years. In fact, we see you as our secret ingredient. While our chicken is fire, it’s our people who set us ablaze.

Our restaurants are only the tip of the flame! If you’re looking for an innovative, winning, and welcoming workplace, then a flamin’ good career in our Restaurant Support Center is right for you.

At our Support Center, we believe our best work is done Together, when departments collaborate and everyone is confident in contributing their ideas. This is why we are in the office 3 days per week.

Let’s Get Loco!

What’s in it for you!

• STRONG culture recognized as a Great Place to Work® and driven by our core values: Simple. Together. Relentless. Ownership. Nimble. Growth
• Career growth opportunities
• Competitive pay and bonus potential
• Be an Owner: Equity Compensation
• Medical + Dental + Vision Insurance + HSA Savings Account
• 401(K) Retirement Plan with company match and immediate vesting
• Paid Vacation + Sick Pay + 12 Paid Holidays
• Employee Assistance Program
• Free El Pollo Loco food + restaurant discounts
• PerkSpot discounts program

POSITION PURPOSE:

The Area Leader is responsible for overseeing the operations of multiple restaurant locations within a designated geographical area. This role drives business growth while ensuring operational excellence and fostering a positive work environment.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Hire, train, lead, coach, develop, and mentor restaurant leadership teams including General Managers (GMs), Assistant Managers (AMs), and Shift Leaders (SLs), including one-on-one training, role modeling, developmental job assignments, and guided self-study materials.
• Provide ongoing coaching to ensure all team members consistently meet and/or exceed expectations.
• Foster a positive and collaborative work environment within designated area, promoting a culture of excellence and teamwork.
• Implement and maintain operational standards, ensuring consistency across all locations in compliance with federal/state/local laws including employment laws, food quality and safety standards, and employee/restaurant safety policies and procedures. Manage annual budgets for each assigned restaurant location, working to achieve financial targets.
• Monitor and analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) to identify areas for improvement and implement corrective actions. Provide timely, insightful feedback, and proactive guidance to restaurant management.
• Ensure control over assigned area costs through effective inventory management, labor scheduling, and resource allocation leadership.
• Collaborate with each General Manager, crafting strategic plans to reduce costs, boost sales, and optimize profit to maximize results over previous year’s performance benchmarks and in alignment with budgetary standards.
• Conduct regular meetings and restaurant visits (i.e., deep dive inspections, area tours, announced/unannounced visits, etc.) to ensure compliance with proper staff training and scheduling, employee relations and performance management, inventory control, food and customer safety, cleanliness, and other operational standards.
• Preserve brand integrity of restaurant facilities through established brand and performance standards.
• Provide effective and timely resolution to escalated customer complaints.
• Collaborate with the People Services Department to resolve team member conflicts and address employee relations matters that cannot be resolved at a lower management level.
• Work cross-functionally with the People Services and Loss Prevention departments to investigate and settle security and cash handling violations.
• Represent the Company at state and federal agency hearings, conferences, meetings, as needed.
• Collaborate with the Operations Services, Training, and Marketing teams to execute regional marketing strategies and promotions (i.e., LTO modules).
• Stay informed about industry trends and competitor activities to make informed business decisions.
• Champion effective vertical and horizontal communications within the area including company-wide news of interest, upcoming events, limited time offers, promotions, product developments, “Best Practices” among peers, etc.
• Other activities, duties or responsibilities that are assigned by your supervisor.

QUALIFICATIONS – EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, LICENSE/CERTIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to satisfactorily perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodation will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. The requirements listed below are representative of the education and/or experience required.

Education/Work Experience: High school diploma or equivalent (GED) required, BA/BS degree preferred; five (5) or more years of prior General Management experience required; three (3) or more years of QSR experience as an Area Leader or District Manager, preferred.

License/Certifications: Possess and maintain a valid driver’s license

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Experience with successfully recruiting, building, and developing a team (based on current and future needs).
• Proven experience in a Multi-Unit/Area Manager role within the Quick Service Restaurant industry.
• Strong understanding of QSR or multi-unit retail/restaurant/hospitality operations, including food safety, quality standards, and customer service.
• Ability to analyze financial reports and implement strategies for business improvement.
• Confidence in execution of strategic initiatives.
• Must be decisive and able to make fact-based decisions.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving mindset and skills; meticulous attention to detail
• Ability to effectively communicate with internal and external business partners.
• Ability to prioritize and plan work assignments and work under pressure of frequent and tight deadlines.
• Ability to read, write, and interpret complex reports, documents, and correspondence.
• Adept at managing and prioritizing competing time sensitive requests while working well in a team atmosphere that may be under pressure.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment on matters of significance to the company.
• Ability to work weekends and extended work schedules as needed.
• Must be willing and able to travel local within Southern California and to out-of-state restaurant locations, as needed by car or airplane.

Our Company

In 1980 the first American El Pollo Loco opened on Alvarado Street in Los Angeles, quickly becoming a destination for the best citrus-marinated, fire-grilled pollo in town. Over the past four decades, El Pollo Loco has grown into more than 490 restaurants across 7 states, becoming an L.A. mainstay and cultural benchmark along the way. And today, we continue to work just as hard to always provide customers with fresh and innovative L.A. Mex from our famous family dinners to Mexican entrees.

The pay range identified is the hourly or salary rate El Pollo Loco expects to pay for the posted position. This range does not include any benefits or bonus opportunities that might be available for the position based on position and eligibility criteria. Individual pay will vary based on a variety of factors including years of experience, industry experience, education, geography, etc.