Area Leader

El Pollo Loco • Los Angeles, CA

9d • $95,000 - $105,000

About The Position

The Area Leader oversees operations across multiple restaurant locations in a designated geographical area. The role drives business growth, operational excellence, and a positive work environment. Responsibilities include developing restaurant leadership teams, maintaining consistent operating and safety standards, managing budgets and costs, reviewing performance indicators, improving sales and profitability, and coordinating with company departments on employee relations, loss prevention, training, and marketing. The Area Leader conducts restaurant visits and meetings, addresses escalated customer complaints, represents the company at agency hearings as needed, and communicates business updates and best practices across the area. The position requires local travel within Southern California and occasional travel to out-of-state restaurant locations.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED required.
• At least five years of prior General Management experience required.
• Valid driver's license that is maintained.
• Experience recruiting, building, and developing teams.
• Proven experience in a multi-unit or Area Manager role within the Quick Service Restaurant industry.
• Strong understanding of QSR or multi-unit retail, restaurant, or hospitality operations, including food safety, quality standards, and customer service.
• Ability to analyze financial reports and implement business-improvement strategies.
• Confidence executing strategic initiatives and making decisive, fact-based decisions.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with meticulous attention to detail.
• Ability to communicate effectively with internal and external business partners.
• Ability to prioritize and plan assignments while working under frequent, tight deadlines.
• Ability to read, write, and interpret complex reports, documents, and correspondence.
• Ability to manage competing time-sensitive requests and work effectively in a team under pressure.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment on matters of significance to the company.
• Ability to work weekends and extended schedules as needed.
• Willingness and ability to travel locally within Southern California and to out-of-state restaurant locations as needed, by car or airplane.

Nice To Haves

• BA/BS degree.
• Three or more years of QSR experience as an Area Leader or District Manager.

Responsibilities

• Hire, train, lead, coach, develop, and mentor General Managers, Assistant Managers, and Shift Leaders.
• Provide ongoing coaching to help team members meet or exceed expectations.
• Foster a positive, collaborative work environment and promote teamwork and excellence.
• Implement and maintain consistent operating standards and compliance with applicable laws, food quality and safety requirements, and employee and restaurant safety procedures.
• Manage annual budgets for assigned restaurant locations and work toward financial targets.
• Monitor and analyze key performance indicators, identify improvement opportunities, take corrective action, and provide feedback and guidance to restaurant management.
• Control area costs through inventory management, labor scheduling, and resource allocation.
• Work with General Managers on plans to reduce costs, increase sales, and improve profitability against prior-year benchmarks and budgets.
• Conduct meetings and restaurant visits, including inspections and area tours, to review training, scheduling, employee relations, performance management, inventory, safety, cleanliness, and operating standards.
• Maintain the brand integrity of restaurant facilities in accordance with brand and performance standards.
• Resolve escalated customer complaints in a timely and effective manner.
• Work with People Services to address team conflicts and employee relations matters that cannot be resolved at a lower management level.
• Work with People Services and Loss Prevention to investigate and resolve security and cash-handling violations.
• Represent the company at state and federal agency hearings, conferences, and meetings as needed.
• Coordinate with Operations Services, Training, and Marketing to execute regional marketing strategies and promotions.
• Monitor industry trends and competitor activity to inform business decisions.
• Promote vertical and horizontal communication across the area, including company news, events, offers, promotions, product developments, and best practices.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities assigned by the supervisor.

Benefits

• Competitive pay and bonus.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) plan with matching and immediate vesting.
• Basic life and AD&D insurance and long-term disability.
• Vacation and sick pay.
• 12 paid holidays.
• Vehicle stipend.
• Free El Pollo Loco food through a Dine Out Card and restaurant discount.
• Discounts on El Pollo Loco food, theme parks, movie tickets, sports, hotels, and more.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: High school or GED