General Manager

Join to apply for the General Manager role at El Pollo Loco, Inc.

$26.00/hr – $31.00/hr

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.

The General Manager assumes full accountability for the comprehensive operations of an El Pollo Loco restaurant. This includes leading initiatives aimed at providing an exceptional and consistent experience for both customers and team members, ensuring adherence to all policies, procedures, and standards while striving to meet or exceed sales and profitability targets. The role involves maintaining optimal staffing levels and fostering the professional growth of the restaurant team to execute all operational objectives.

• Strategically manage, coach, and recognize team member performance to drive efficient restaurant operations.
• Execute and train the team on opening and closing procedures in alignment with El Pollo Loco policies, overseeing restaurant setup, food preparation, and cleaning processes.
• Optimize labor and workforce planning through effective and efficient team deployment and scheduling, ensuring staffing levels align with anticipated sales volume and labor hour targets.
• Provide hands‑on support by ensuring proper coverage of all restaurant workstations and offer backup support for team member breaks as necessary.
• Maintain focus on guest service and speed of service, ensuring achievement of company goals for timeliness and educating the team on operational efficiency metrics.
• Schedule workforce to ensure labor hours meet service requirements based on sales projections and labor hour guidelines.
• Oversee hiring processes, including interviews, references, I‑9 verification, and new hire orientations, ensuring compliance with staffing requirements.
• Perform other duties as assigned by management to support restaurant operations.

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.

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

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

• 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 and Flexible Spending Account
• Paid vacation and 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

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.

Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at El Pollo Loco, Inc. by 2x.

Apply BELOW