Restaurant Opening Leader
$80,000–$85,000 year
On-siteCosta Mesa, California, United States
Job Summary
Lead on-site operational execution for all phases of restaurant development from pre-opening through stabilization, partnering with Operations, Training, HR, and Facilities to ensure readiness in staffing, systems, food safety, and compliance. Conduct hands-on modeling of standards, labor deployment, food cost control, and operational discipline while coaching managers on leadership presence, team conversations, and performance management. Stabilize at-risk restaurants by validating staffing readiness, ensuring strict adherence to food safety and timekeeping, and transferring systems knowledge to the permanent General Manager before handoff. Requires 100% travel availability for extensive, long-duration trips to model elite performance and build leadership capability across new and struggling locations.
Required Qualifications
- 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
Hiring someone like this?
Get your role in front of qualified candidates on Sorce.