General Manager

Compensation $26.00 - $30.00/hour

Job Description

The General Manager assumes full accountability for the comprehensive operations of an El Pollo Loco restaurant, encompassing all facets of the business. Leading initiatives aimed at providing an exceptional and consistent experience for both customers and team members, this position meticulously ensures 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.

• Strategically manages, coaches, and recognizes team member performance to drive efficient and effective restaurant operations.
• Executes and trains 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 alignment with current labor modeling to uphold productivity and customer service standards while meeting labor hour targets.
• Provides hands‑on support by ensuring proper coverage of all restaurant workstations. May be required to provide backup support to cover team member breaks, as necessary.
• Proactively monitors and adjusts food production to align with business needs and maintain food cost standards.
• Maintains focus on guest service and speed of service, ensuring achievement of company goals for timeliness. Educates team on restaurant operational efficiency metrics and ensures compliance with standards.
• Enforces uniform and grooming policies and procedures to ensure compliance among all team members, seeking guidance from Human Resources on any accommodation requests.
• Oversees daily compliance with restaurant walk‑throughs to enforce and address safety and cleanliness protocols.
• Collaborates with Operations Services team to ensure proper team member training.
• Accountable for team’s adherence to health department and food safety standards.
• Enforces safety practices and Quality Service Cleanliness (QSC) standards among team members.
• Accountable for ensuring compliance with all restaurant security protocols to safeguard employees and customers, including, but not limited to, complying with and enforcing all food safety and workplace safety standards, strict adherence to all cash handling policies.
• Accountable for enforcing EPL's policies and procedures consistently across the restaurant; escalating issues or seeking feedback from the Area Leader or HR to ensure proper handling of complex situations.
• Executes and holds team accountable for timely and proper reporting procedures for work‑related accidents and incidents.
• Manages and performs administrative duties, including cash register assignments, conducting pre‑and post‑shift cash audits to ensure accuracy, and securely managing funds according to EPL cash handling protocols.
• Analyzes the restaurant’s Profit and Loss (P&L) statements to evaluate performance against EPL objectives, focusing on Sales, Discounts, Food Cost, Labor Cost, and other expenses.
• Manages communication channels by ensuring phone calls are answered, email inquiries are responded to, and efficiently handles customer complaints and requests.
• Promotes and manages the restaurant’s catering program with customers and through local marketing efforts. Ensures accuracy and timeliness in verification and deliveries.
• Conducts weekly inventory checks, places food orders with approved vendors, and updates inventory information within the inventory database.
• Schedules workforce ensuring labor hours are adequate to provide required level of service that is based on sales projections and labor hour guidelines.
• Oversees hiring processes in the restaurant, from interviews, references, I‑9 verification, and new hire orientations, ensuring all restaurant staffing requirements are effectively and compliantly achieved.
• Ensures all team members are complying…