FIELD MARKETING ASSOCIATE MANAGER

At El Pollo Loco, we are on a mission to be the nation’s leading fire-grilled chicken restaurant. We are committed to the success and growth of our people through specialized training, career trajectories, and cross-functional collaboration.

About the Role

The Field Marketing Associate is a field-based role in the Dallas, Texas market. The selected candidate must be able to travel extensively across Texas and to the Restaurant Support Center 2-4 times a year. This role focuses on building awareness, engagement, and traffic across El Pollo Loco’s Texas markets by working directly with operators, leading local store marketing (LSM), new restaurant openings (NRO), and building community partnerships.

Responsibilities

• Local Store Marketing Execution
  • Strategize and lead local store marketing campaigns, promotions, and programs to drive sales, traffic, and brand awareness.
  • Lead catering outreach and execution to drive incremental sales at franchise and company restaurants.
  • Execute fundraiser and community give-back programs at the local level.
  • Conduct on-site LSM tactics, including local activations, sponsorships, and community engagement events.
  • Identify underperforming stores or missed opportunities and lead corrective marketing plans with operators.
  • Maintain up-to-date knowledge of the Texas market landscape, competitive dynamics, and local trends.
  • Provide hands-on troubleshooting and support for operators executing LSM programs.
• Market Leadership & Operator Relations
  • Build in-market relationships with operators (company and franchise) across Texas.
  • Lead regular in-person visits with franchise and company restaurants.
  • Establish brand presence at grand opening and community events.
  • Act as the Field Marketing team’s on-the-ground presence in Texas, delivering real-time market insights.
• New Restaurant Openings (NROs)
  • Lead on-site execution of NRO marketing activities, including grand opening events.
  • Drive community outreach and promotional efforts at franchise and company restaurants.
  • Conduct in-person trade area assessments and market audits.
  • Identify and build local connections with media, community organizations, and business partners.
• Reporting & Communication
  • Provide regular written recaps and updates to the Field Marketing Manager following market visits and events.
  • Maintain accurate records of in-market activity, franchisee interactions, and event outcomes.
  • Communicate proactively with franchisees, vendors, and internal teams.
• Other Duties
  • Provide general field marketing support as assigned.
  • Travel extensively within Texas, with occasional travel outside the region.

Requirements

• Location Requirement: Must be based in Dallas and able to travel extensively across Texas.
• Education & Experience:
  • Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Business, or related field preferred.
  • 1–3 years of marketing, field marketing, or franchise relations experience, ideally within food service, retail, or consumer-facing brands.
• Skills & Abilities:
  • Experience working directly with franchisees or independent business owners is a plus.
  • Comfortable spending the majority of work time in the field and traveling regularly.
  • Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
  • Self-directed and able to manage time and priorities independently.
  • Strong written communication skills for clear, timely recaps and email correspondence.
  • Comfortable representing the brand at community events, grand openings, and franchisee meetings.
  • Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation required.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office (PowerPoint, Excel, Word).
  • Ability to travel extensively (50%+) throughout Texas, including some overnight travel.

Benefits

• Strong office culture recognized as a Great Place to Work®, driven by core values.
• Career growth opportunities.
• Competitive pay and bonus potential.
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance + HSA Savings Account.
• 401(K) Retirement Plan with company match and immediate vesting.
• Paid Vacation, Sick Pay, and 12 Paid Holidays.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Free El Pollo Loco food + restaurant discounts.
• PerkSpot discounts program.

About El Pollo Loco

In 1980, the first American El Pollo Loco opened in Los Angeles, becoming a destination for fire-grilled pollo. Over the past four decades, El Pollo Loco has grown into more than 500 restaurants across 9 states, continuing to provide Quality Chicken. Fast. Easy. Affordable.