General Manager

El Pollo Loco, Inc.; Torrance (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay and quarterly bonuses

No overnight hours

Free meals during your shift

Employee discount on food

Tuition reimbursement

Medical + Dental + Vision Insurance +F

Flexible Spending Account

Paid vacation

Paid sick time

401(K) Plan with match and immediate v

Employee Assistance Program

Life Insurance, Long Term Disability

Discounts on theme parks, movie t...

Job summary

El Pollo Loco is seeking a General Manager to lead a diverse team and oversee daily restaurant operations across opening, mid-day, and closing shifts. You will coach Assistant Managers, Shift Leaders, and Crew members while delivering exceptional guest experiences and maintaining safety, quality, and cost controls.

The role offers strong advancement potential, competitive pay with bonuses, and comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, 401(k) with match, meal discounts, and paid

Qualifications

• Must be EPL Assistant Manager or have the equivalent of 3+ years of management experience, preferably in a restaurant environment.
• High school diploma or GED preferred; college education desired.
• Excellent written and verbal English communication, second language a plus.
• Familiarity with Point-Of-Sale systems is desired.
• Must obtain Serve Safe Certification

Responsibilities

• Manages, coaches, recognizes performance, directs activities and establishes priorities for Assistant Managers, Shift Leaders, and Crew members for efficient and effective restaurant operations.
• Measuring, creating and ensuring exceptional guest experiences
• Coordinating and implementing new product introductions and procedures in the restaurant
• Ensuring execution and compliance with all security, food safety, quality, and cleanliness standards
• Maintaining cost controls and meeting the sales/profit goals
• Administering all in-restaurant records and procedures including payroll, inventories, security and employee personnel files
• Leading restaurant management team in recruitment, selection, hiring, retention, employee relations and corrective action
• Ensuring a respectful and diverse workplace exists in the restaurant

Skills

Team leadership

Customer service

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Conflict resolution

Basic math

Computer skills

Education

High school diploma or GED

College education desired

Tools

Point-Of-Sale 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

General Manager Job Summary

• Manages, coaches, recognizes performance, directs activities and establishes priorities for Assistant Managers, Shift Leaders, and Crew members for efficient and effective restaurant operations.
• Measuring, creating and ensuring exceptional guest experiences
• Coordinating and implementing new product introductions and procedures in the restaurant
• Ensuring execution and compliance with all security, food safety, quality, and cleanliness standards
• Maintaining cost controls and meeting the sales/profit goals
• Administering all in-restaurant records and procedures including payroll, inventories, security and employee personnel files
• Leading restaurant management team in recruitment, selection, hiring, retention, employee relations and corrective action
• Ensuring a respectful and diverse workplace exists in the restaurant

Requirements

• Experience: Must be an EPL Assistant Manager or have the equivalent of 2 years or more of management experience, preferably in a restaurant environment. Familiarity with Point-Of-Sale systems is desired.
• Education: High school diploma or equivalent (GED) preferred, and college education desired
• 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
• Physical Demands: The General Manager regularly stands, walks, talks, hears, uses close and distance vision, tastes or smells, lifts 20 lbs., and repetitively reaches/handles/feels/grasps objects with their hands. The position occasionally stoops/kneels/crouches/crawls and lifts objects weighing up to 40 lbs.

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 a GM you can develop to become an Area Leader, then Director of Operations, and beyond!
• Work Attire: EPL logo’d shirt will be provided, and black slacks and no-slip shoes are required
• Ensuring a respectful and diverse workplace exists in the restaurant

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 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.