General Manager

El Pollo Loco, Inc.; Lancaster (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay & quarterly bonuses

No overnight hours

Free meals during shift

Employee discount on food

Career growth – promote from within

Tuition reimbursement

Medical, dental & vision insurance

Job summary

El Pollo Loco in California is seeking a General Manager to lead a passionate restaurant team and drive top‑line growth while ensuring guest satisfaction. You will manage operations, staffing, and training to deliver a consistently superior dining experience.

The role emphasizes quality, growth, and professional development, with a focus on meeting sales and profitability targets and maintaining strong teamwork in a fast‑paced setting.

Qualifications

• Must be at least 18 years old and able to perform essential duties.
• High school diploma or GED preferred; management experience in a restaurant is ideal.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and reliable vehicle for business use.
• Must obtain Serve Safe Certification.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach and recognize team performance to drive operations.
• Oversee opening/closing procedures, food prep, and restaurant cleanliness.
• Optimize labor, scheduling and staffing aligned with sales projections.
• Provide hands‑on coverage as needed and ensure service standards.
• Drive guest service speed and adherence to company policies and targets.
• Oversee hiring, interviews, references, I-9s, and new hire orientation.

Skills

Team leadership

Staff coaching

Scheduling

Hiring

Customer service

Operations management

Education

High school diploma or GED

3+ years restaurant management

Job description

As a General Manager, you’ll be the spark that keeps the flame alive, leading a passionate team, driving success, and ensuring every guest gets a taste of the Loco experience. You’ll oversee all restaurant operations with a focus on quality, growth, and building a team that’s as fired‑up as you are. Ready to ignite your flamin' good career?

POSITION PURPOSE

The General Manager assumes full accountability for the comprehensive operations of an El Pollo Loco restaurant, encompassing all facets of the business. Leading initiatives aimed at providing an exceptional and consistent experience for both customers and team members, this position meticulously ensures adherence to all El Pollo Loco policies, procedures, and standards while striving to meet or exceed sales and profitability targets. Accountabilities include maintaining optimal staffing levels and fostering the professional growth of the restaurant team to effectively execute all operational objectives.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Strategically manages, coaches, and recognizes team member performance to drive efficient and effective restaurant operations.
• Executes and trains team on opening and closing procedures in alignment with El Pollo Loco policies, overseeing restaurant setup, food preparation, and cleaning processes.
• Optimizes labor and workforce planning through effective and efficient team deployment and scheduling. Ensures staffing levels are aligned with anticipated sales volume in alignment with current labor modeling to uphold productivity and customer service standards while meeting labor hour targets.
• Provides hands‑on support by ensuring proper coverage of all restaurant workstations. May be required to provide backup support to cover team member breaks, as necessary.
• Maintains focus on guest service and speed of service, ensuring achievement of company goals for timeliness. Educates team on restaurant operational efficiency metrics and ensures compliance with standards.
• Schedules workforce ensuring labor hours are adequate to provide required level of service that is based on sales projections and labor hour guidelines.
• Oversees hiring processes in the restaurant, from interviews, references, I-9 verification, and new hire orientations, ensuring all restaurant staffing requirements are effectively and compliantly achieved.
• Performs other duties as assigned by management to support restaurant operations.

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

Must be at least 18 years old. High school diploma or equivalent (GED) preferred. Must be an EPL Assistant Manager or have the equivalent of 3 or more years of management experience, preferably in a restaurant environment.

License/Certifications

• Possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and a reliable vehicle that may be used for company business.
• Must obtain Serve Safe Certification.

What’s in it for you?

• Competitive pay and quarterly bonuses
• No overnight hours
• Free meals during your shift
• Employee discount on food
• Excellent career growth potential (we promote from within)
• Tuition reimbursement
• Medical + Dental + Vision Insurance + Flexible Spending Account
• Paid vacation
• Paid sick time
• 401(K) Plan with match and immediate vesting (must be at least 21 to participate)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Life Insurance, Legal Insurance, Long Term Disability Coverage and Pet Insurance
• Discounts on theme parks, movie tickets, sports events, hotels and more

Why work for us?

When it comes to our people, our motto is: Let them cook. In fact, we see you as our secret ingredient. While our chicken is fire, it’s our people who set us ablaze. You’re the ones bringing the passion, ideas and energy—the flavor—whether cooking in the restaurant or working in the support center. That’s why we take pride in providing a place where you can express, develop and belong… all while enjoying a healthy balance. Here, fire‑grilled chicken makes flamin' good careers.

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.