Shift Leader

El Pollo Loco; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision insurance

401K with match

Flexible Spending Accounts

Life and AD&D/LTD

Tuition Reimbursement

Meal Discounts

Job summary

El Pollo Loco is seeking a full-time supervisor to lead a kitchen and service crew, ensuring excellent guest experiences and smooth daily operations. You will train staff, manage openings/closings, and support cost-control efforts.

Ideal candidates bring prior supervisory experience in a quick-service setting, a Serve Safe certificate, and strong English communication. Growth paths include advancing from Shift Leader to higher management roles within the restaurant network.

Qualifications

• Must be EPL Crewmember certified on all EPL SPECS positions or have 1+ years of restaurant supervisory experience.
• High school diploma or equivalent preferred; pass EPL Food Safety Audit (FSA).
• Excellent written and verbal English communication skills; second language a plus.

Responsibilities

• Oversee operations in the absence of the General Manager or Assistant Manager.
• Train crewmembers on policies and procedures and ensure food safety, security, quality and cleanliness standards.
• Open and/or close the restaurant and deliver superior guest experiences.
• Contribute to achieving cost and profit goals.

Skills

Crew supervision

Customer service

English communication

Food safety

Basic math

Education

High school diploma or GED

Serve Safe Certificate

Tools

POS system

Job description

Job Description

Posted Tuesday, September 8, 2026 at 7:00 AM

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
• Provides oversight to Crew members in the absence of the General Manager or Assistant Manager. Coaches, directs, recognizes outstanding behavior, and establishes priorities for Crew members during their shift.
• Trains Crewmembers on policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with food safety, security, quality and cleanliness standards
• Opening and/or closing the restaurant
• Creating and ensuring superior guest experiences
• Contributing to the achievement of cost and profit goals

Requirements:

• Experience: Must be an EPL Crewmember certified on all EPL SPECS positions or have 1 or more years of restaurant supervisory experience.
• Education: High school diploma or equivalent (GED) preferred. Upon hire must pass the EPL Food Safety Audit (FSA) class.
• Communication: Excellent written and verbal English communication skills (second language a plus)
• Competencies: Basic math and computer skills, and strong customer service skills
• Food Handler Card: Must have a Serve Safe Certificate at time of hire or obtain a Serve Safe Certificate, where applicable
• Work Hours: Full-Time hours, plus some Overtime may be expected
• Career Advancement/Career Plan: We promote heavily from within, so from a Shift Leader you can develop to become an Assistant Manager, General Manager, Area Leader, and beyond!
• Work Attire: EPL logo’d shirt will be provided, black slacks and no-slip shoes required

C ompany & 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!

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.