General Manager

Position Purpose

The General Manager assumes full accountability for the comprehensive operations of an El Pollo Loco restaurant, encompassing all facets of the business. This role leads initiatives aimed at providing an exceptional and consistent experience for both customers and team members, ensuring 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 the 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 accordance with current labor modeling to uphold productivity, customer service standards, and labor hour targets.
• Provides hands‑on support by ensuring proper coverage of all restaurant workstations; may cover team member breaks as necessary.
• Maintains focus on guest service and speed of service, ensuring achievement of company goals for timeliness; educates the team on operational efficiency metrics and ensures compliance with standards.
• Schedules workforce to ensure labor hours are adequate for the required level of service based on sales projections and labor hour guidelines.
• Oversees hiring processes—from interviews, references, I‑9 verification, to new‑hire orientations—ensuring staffing requirements are met compliantly.
• Performs other duties as assigned by management to support restaurant operations.

Qualifications

• 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 three or more years of management experience, preferably in a restaurant environment.
• Possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and a reliable vehicle for company business.
• Must obtain Serve Safe Certification.

Benefits

• 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, and vision insurance plus a 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.” We see you as our secret ingredient. While our chicken is fire, it’s our people who set us ablaze. You bring the passion, ideas, and energy—the flavor—whether cooking in the restaurant or working in the support center. We take pride in providing a place where you can express, develop, and belong, all while enjoying a healthy work‑life balance. Here, fire‑grilled chicken makes flamin’ good careers.