FIELD MARKETING ASSOCIATE MANAGER

El Pollo Loco • Costa Mesa, CA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Field Marketing Associate Manager is a field-based role responsible for building awareness, engagement, and traffic across El Pollo Loco's Texas markets. This role involves working directly with operators, leading local store marketing (LSM) and new restaurant opening (NRO) execution, driving field marketing strategy at the local level, and building strong community partnerships. The ideal candidate is self-directed, comfortable spending the majority of their time in restaurants and in the field, and skilled at cultivating community relationships that support restaurant and brand growth. The selected candidate must be able to travel across the state as needed and occasionally to the Restaurant Support Center.

Requirements

• Must be based in Dallas and able to travel extensively across Texas.
• 1–3 years of marketing, field marketing, or franchise relations experience, ideally within food service, retail, or consumer-facing brands.
• Comfortable spending the majority of work time in the field and traveling regularly across the Texas market.
• Self-directed and able to manage time and priorities independently while working remotely from the field.
• Strong written communication skills, with the ability to provide clear, timely recaps and manage regular 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) and ability to quickly learn new software tools.
• Ability to travel extensively (50%+) throughout the Texas market, including some overnight travel.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working directly with franchisees or independent business owners is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Strategize and lead local store marketing campaigns, promotions, and programs in-market to drive sales, traffic, and brand awareness.
• Lead catering outreach and execution to drive incremental sales at franchise and company restaurants.
• Lead fundraiser and community give-back program execution at the local level, building programs that support restaurant sales and community goodwill.
• Execute on-site LSM tactics, including local activations, sponsorships, and community engagement events.
• Proactively identify underperforming stores or missed opportunities and lead corrective marketing plans with operators.
• Maintain deep, up-to-date knowledge of the Texas market landscape, competitive dynamics, and local trends to guide Operator marketing strategy.
• Provide hands-on troubleshooting and support for Operators executing LSM programs.
• Strategize and build in-market relationships with operators (company and franchise) across the Texas region, aligning them around local marketing priorities and establishing strong, trust-based partnerships.
• Lead regular in-person visits with franchise and company restaurants, executing local marketing plans and identifying opportunities.
• Establish brand presence at grand opening and community events throughout the region, building relationships with local media and community leaders to strengthen brand visibility.
• Act as the Field Marketing team's on-the-ground presence in Texas, delivering real-time market insights and recommendations, and acting as the primary point of contact for Operator marketing needs.
• Lead on-site execution of NRO marketing activities within the Texas market, including grand opening events.
• Drive community outreach and promotional efforts at franchise and company restaurants.
• Lead in-trade area assessments and market audits, surfacing findings and insights.
• Identify and build local connections with media, community organizations, and business partners, bringing potential partnerships forward before activating.
• Provide regular written recaps and updates to the Field Marketing Manager following market visits, events, and franchisee meetings.
• Maintain accurate records of in-market activity, franchisee interactions, and event outcomes.
• Communicate proactively via email and phone with franchisees, vendors, and internal teams to keep programs on track.
• Provide general field marketing support as assigned by the Field Marketing Manager.
• Travel extensively within the Texas market, with occasional travel outside the region as needed.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level