General Manager

El Pollo Loco; Torrance, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay and quarterly bonuses

Free meals during your shift

Employee discount on food

Tuition reimbursement

Medical + Dental + Vision Insurance +F

Paid vacation

Paid sick time

401(K) Plan with match

Job summary

El Pollo Loco is hiring a General Manager to lead restaurant operations, drive sales, and develop a high-performing team. You will oversee guest experience, staffing, training, and compliance with policies to ensure consistent quality.

The role emphasizes coaching, operations excellence, and achieving profitability while maintaining a motivated workforce in a fast-paced setting.

Qualifications

• 18+ years old required.
• High school diploma or equivalent preferred. Must be EPL Assistant Manager or have 3+ years of management experience, preferably in a restaurant.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coach team to ensure efficient, high-quality operations.
• Train and oversee opening/closing procedures and food prep.
• Optimize staffing and scheduling to meet sales targets while controlling labor costs.

Skills

Leadership

Staff coaching

Scheduling

Labor cost control

Employee training

Education

Assistant Manager at EPL or 3+ years management experience

High school diploma or equivalent

Serve Safe Certification

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-wherever 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.