Assistant Manager

El Pollo Loco, Inc.; Compton (CA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Dental/Vision

401(k) match

Flexible Spending Accounts

Life and AD&D

Tuition reimbursement (GM/AM)

Meal discounts

Job summary

El Pollo Loco, Inc. is seeking an Assistant Manager to lead shifts, train crew, and uphold high standards of service and food safety. You will manage scheduling, inventories, and guest satisfaction while supporting the General Manager in daily operations and cost controls.

The role offers growth toward General Manager and opportunities within a thriving restaurant network, with a focus on teamwork, training, and delivering a best-in-class guest experience.

Qualifications

• 2–4 years of supervisory experience preferred, restaurant setting.
• Familiarity with Point-Of-Sale systems is desired.
• Excellent written and verbal English communication skills.
• Serve Safe Certificate or willingness to obtain it upon hire.

Responsibilities

• Assist General Manager with labor cost control and scheduling.
• Open and close procedures and security; coordinate tasks.
• Manage inventory and coordinate deliveries; update records.
• Maintain service speed and restaurant cleanliness to EPL/QSC standards.
• Direct and prioritize tasks during shift; adjust staffing as needed.
• Address guest feedback per EPL's Just Say Yes policy.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Customer service

Interpersonal skills

Conflict resolution

Communication skills

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

POS systems

Job description

Have you ever envisioned leading a team to success or dared to help manage a million-dollar business? Well here's your opportunity to live the dream! Put your team-building skills to the test and bring us your passion, energy, and strong customer service skills. We'll provide you with an awesome training program, great mentors and an exceptional team that will help you launch your career. The rest is up to you!

What's in it for you!

We offer eligible Employees the following Benefits/Perks:

• Medical + Dental + Vision Insurance
• 401(K) Plan with match and immediate vesting
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Basic Life and AD&D/Long Term Disability
• Tuition Reimbursement Program (General Manager and Assistant Manager only)
• Meal Discounts

Requirements

• Experience: Must be an EPL Shift Leader or have 2-4 years of supervisory experience, preferably within a restaurant environment. Familiarity with Point-Of-Sale systems is desired.
• Education: High school diploma or equivalent (GED) preferred.
• Communication: Excellent written and verbal English communication skills (second language a plus)
• Competencies: Basic math and computer skills, and strong interpersonal and conflict-resolution skills
• Driving/Vehicle : Must be at least 18 years old and possess a valid driver's license and a reliable vehicle that may be used for company business.
• Food Handler Card: Must have a Serve Safe Certificate at time of hire or obtain a Serve Safe Certificate and pass the EPL Food Safety Audit (FSA) class upon hire, where applicable.

Job Details

• Work Hours: Full-Time schedule, and may work any shift including opening, mid-day, and closing. The great news is that our restaurants are not open 24 hours!
• Career Advancement/Career Plan: We promote heavily from within, so from an AM you can develop to become a General Manager, Area Leader, Director of Operations, and beyond!
• Work Attire: EPL logo'd shirt will be provided, and black slacks and no-slip shoes are required

Assistant Manager Job Summary

• Supervising assigned shifts, and provides supervision to crew members in the absence of the General Manager
• Training and developing crew members
• Completing administrative tasks (e.g. financial and inventory control, schedules, logging maintenance, etc.)
• Creating and ensuring exceptional guest experiences
• Ensuring compliance with all security, food safety, quality, and cleanliness standards
• Maintaining cost controls and contributing to the sales/profit goals
• Building your skills and leveraging the available tools to prepare yourself for a future General Manager role

Company & Culture

For over 35 years El Pollo Loco continues to dominate the market in delivering the best citrus-marinated fire-grilled chicken. We opened our first restaurant in 1980 in Los Angeles, and today we are over 450 restaurants strong and still growing! From our products to our people, we're truly amazing! As an Assistant Manager at El Pollo Loco, you'll be a key player in turning up the heat and driving the fire-grilled experience from behind the scenes. You'll ensure the restaurant runs smoothly, delivering exceptional service and quality while guiding your team to success and growing yourself as a people leader. Ready to ignite your flamin' good career?

POSITION PURPOSE

The Assistant Manager works closely with the General Manager to maintain high standards of quality, cleanliness, and customer satisfaction. This position is an important step in the journey toward assuming the responsibilities of a General Manager. It requires a proactive and hands-on approach, along with a willingness to cross-train and support various aspects of restaurant operations. Duties include ensuring the restaurant is operated according to all EL Pollo Loco policies, procedures, and standards, as well training and developing restaurant team members.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• In collaboration with the General Manager, monitor and control labor costs through effective labor scheduling, cross-training, and team member retention initiatives.
• Responsible for restaurant opening and closing procedures, including security protocols. Coordinate crew tasks for setup, food prep, and cleaning.
• Conduct inventory checks and update the inventory system. Handle food deliveries, ensuring accuracy in inventory records.
• Ensure customer service and speed of service metrics meet company goals and standards. Maintain restaurant cleanliness according to EPL and health/food safety standards. Ensure adherence to safety practices and Quality, Service, Cleanliness (QSC) standards
• Direct and prioritize team members' tasks during shift. Cover workstations and fill in during team member breaks, as needed. Adjust shift staffing based on sales volume for productivity. Monitor and adjust food production as needed.
• Welcome customer feedback and address any comments or concerns they may have, using EPL's Just Say Yes Policy. Ensure that all feedback is communicated promptly to the restaurant management team for swift resolution and continuous improvement.
• Performs other duties as assigned by management to support restaurant operations.