Sr Manager, Field Training

575 Anton Blvd, Costa Mesa, CA 92626, USA

Posted Friday, September 4, 2026 at 7:00 AM

At El Pollo Loco, we are on a mission to be the nation’s leading fire-grilled chicken restaurant. When it comes to our people, we are all about growth. Whether that means specialized training, a clearly laid out career trajectory or collaborating cross-functionally, we are committed to the success of our people the same way we’ve been committed to the success of the El Pollo Loco brand for the last 50 years.

In fact, we see you as our secret ingredient. While our chicken is fire, it’s our people who set us ablaze.

Our restaurants are only the tip of the flame! If you’re looking for an innovative, winning, and welcoming workplace, then a flamin’ good career in our Restaurant Support Center is right for you.

At our Support Center, we believe our best work is done Together, when departments collaborate and everyone is confident in contributing their ideas. This is why we are in the office 3 days per week.

Let’s Get Loco!

What’s in it for you!

• STRONG office culture recognized as a Great Place to Work® and driven by our core values:
  Simple. Together. Relentless. Ownership. Nimble. Growth
• Competitive pay and bonus potential
• Medical + Dental + Vision Insurance + HSA Savings Account
• 401(K) Retirement Plan with company match and immediate vesting
• Paid Vacation + Sick Pay + 12 Paid Holidays
• Employee Assistance Program

The Sr. Manager, Field Training leads El Pollo Loco’s field-based training function and is accountable for the consistent execution, effectiveness, and continuous improvement of restaurant training across company and franchise operations. This role leads, coaches, and develops the field training team, including the Restaurant Opening function, while partnering closely with Operations and Training leadership to build restaurant and leadership capability.

As the senior field training leader, this role sets expectations for training quality, field execution, leadership development, and operational readiness across markets. The Sr. Manager, Field Training ensures Certified Training Restaurants (CTRs), Certified Training General Managers (GTMs), management training, new restaurant openings, franchise training, and company program rollouts are delivered to a consistent standard and produce measurable business results.

• Lead, coach, develop, and manage the performance of Field Training Managers, Restaurant Opening Leaders, and other assigned training roles.
• Set clear expectations, priorities, performance standards, and development plans for the field training team; recognize strong performance and address gaps promptly.
• Establish a consistent field training strategy and operating rhythm across markets, balancing restaurant openings, management training, franchise support, program rollouts, and operational training needs.
• Conduct regular field observations and provide real-time coaching and feedback to field training leaders on training execution, leadership presence, business judgment, and partnership with Operations.
• Build bench strength and succession readiness within the field training team through onboarding, coaching, development, and stretch assignments.
• Allocate field training resources based on business priorities, market needs, opening complexity, and team capability.

• Provide strategic oversight of the Certified Training Restaurant (CTR) and Certified Training General Manager (GTM) programs, including certification standards, audits, performance expectations, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure management training programs for SLITs, MITs, and other restaurant…