Restaurant Opening Leader

El Pollo Loco•Costa Mesa, CA

4d•$80,000 - $85,000•Onsite

About The Position

At El Pollo Loco, we are on a mission to be the nation’s leading fire-grilled chicken restaurant. When it comes to our people, we are all about growth. Whether that means specialized training, a clearly laid out career trajectory or collaborating cross-functionally, we are committed to the success of our people the same way we’ve been committed to the success of the El Pollo Loco brand for the last 50 years. In fact, we see you as our secret ingredient. While our chicken is fire, it’s our people who set us ablaze. Our restaurants are only the tip of the flame! If you’re looking for an innovative, winning, and welcoming workplace, then a flamin’ good career in our Restaurant Support Center is right for you. At our Support Center, we believe our best work is done Together, when departments collaborate and everyone is confident in contributing their ideas. This is why we are in the office 3 days per week. Let’s Get Loco! POSITION PURPOSE: The Restaurant Opening Leader is a leader assigned to New Restaurant Openings to model elite General Manager performance and establish operational excellence from Day 1. This role does not replace the permanent GM at new restaurant openings — it elevates them through targeted focus and support. The Restaurant Opening Leader sets the cultural tone, demonstrates ownership, accountability, and STRONG Values in action, and builds the capability of the incoming leadership team before transitioning the restaurant to its permanent leader. This role requires availability of travelling extensively and for long consecutive durations of time. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The Restaurant Opening Leader will be responsible for both opening new restaurants and stabilizing at-risk restaurants. When not opening new restaurants, the Restaurant Opening Leader will support stabilizing Field Operations with restaurants and Managers (at all levels) in need of support and guidance in achieving company goals.

Requirements

Must be in good standing with HR approval.
Must have prior General Manager experience with El Pollo Loco.
Enthusiastic and positive demeanor, with a genuine passion for providing exceptional team and guest experiences.
Strong communication, attention to detail, and organizational skills; ability to speak, write, and comprehend basic English.
Strong coaching capability with proven ability to train new team members effectively.
Strong operational judgment and decision-making skills.
Demonstrated ability to take ownership of a shift and hold self and others accountable.
Demonstrated high performance.
Certified in all restaurant positions.
Ability to lead confidently in unfamiliar or newly built environments.
Flexibility to work various shifts, including weekends and holidays.
Commitment to upholding EPL values and standards of excellence.
Ability to travel 100% of the time.

Responsibilities

Lead on-site operational execution for all phases of restaurant development from pre-opening, training, opening, and through stabilization.
Partner with Operations, Training, HR, and Facilities to ensure readiness in staffing, systems, food safety, and compliance.
Conduct hands-on modeling of standards.
Demonstrate what strong labor deployment, food cost control, and operational discipline look like.
Coach and model how to lead with urgency and accountability.
Coach and model to protect company assets and uphold EPL STRONG Values in all environments.
Coach and model how to hold leaders to standards respectfully but firmly.
Coach and model timekeeping, food and workplace safety, and compliance discipline.
Coach and model Loco Love in every interaction with guests and team members.
Coach and model how hospitality should feel — not just be spoken about.
Demonstrate professional leadership presence.
Set expectations around communication, accountability, and teamwork.
Coach all Managers in real time.
Coach and model team conversations, pre-shift meetings, team performance management, and recognition.
Provide feedback on leadership presence, operational judgment, and standards execution.
Transfer systems knowledge (ordering, inventory, scheduling, deployment).
Reinforce duty-to-report standards and escalate concerns immediately.
Ensure the permanent GM is confident and competent before handoff.
Confirm restaurant management team and team members understand compliance responsibilities.
Validate staffing readiness and role clarity.
Ensure labor, food cost, and inventory controls are executed precisely.
Ensure strict adherence to food safety, workplace safety, timekeeping, and break compliance.
Ensure systems are running correctly.