Grill Master

We are a licensed El Pollo Loco Franchisee company operating 29 restaurants and planning significant expansion across Northern California and eventually throughout the USA. With over 500 team members, our philosophy is embodied in the motto TWS (Together We Succeed), emphasizing teamwork and shared vision. We are currently experiencing rapid growth and aim to have at least 35 El Pollo Loco restaurants by the end of 2030 with prospects for multi-brand expansion nationally. Our brand is renowned for its signature chicken, a recipe perfected and served consistently for over 30 years, making us a beloved dining destination. We pride ourselves on quality, food safety, and excellent customer service standards, which are integral to our continued success and expansion strategy. We provide a supportive work environment that values employee growth, offers flexible schedules, and encourages a collaborative team culture. Our work location is onsite at our Northern California restaurants, and both full-time and part-time positions are available, making this an attractive opportunity for individuals seeking a dynamic and rewarding career in the restaurant industry. The hourly pay starts at $20, reflecting our commitment to fair and competitive compensation. We also offer benefits such as employee discounts and a referral program to foster an engaging workplace.\n\nThe role of Cook is central to maintaining our high standards of food quality and customer satisfaction. Our cooks take pride in preparing and grilling the "perfect pollo", the very essence of our brand identity. This position requires adherence to strict health and safety protocols, including compliance with company and local health department food handling procedures. A successful cook will be responsible for inspecting chicken quality throughout the entire preparation and cooking process — from product receiving to rotation, marinating, and grilling — ensuring consistently outstanding products that meet our quality standards. Monitoring chicken projections throughout shifts to maintain appropriate stocked levels, receiving orders, and packaging cooked chicken for service are critical tasks. Maintaining cleanliness and sanitizing the workstation, including equipment and storage areas, is mandatory to uphold food safety standards. Additionally, cooks play a role in the training and support of new team members, contributing to a positive team environment by assisting peers in various prep and assembly tasks. Periodic duties assigned by supervisors are part of the job scope, requiring reliability and flexibility. This role involves physical demands such as prolonged standing and walking, frequent hand use, occasional stooping or lifting up to 40 pounds, and the ability to work under pressure during peak times. Exposure to heat, steam, smoke, and cold is expected in this kitchen environment. Candidates must hold a valid CA Food Handler Certificate and be at least 18 years old. While no prior experience is required, experience in restaurant cooking is preferred along with kitchen, time-management, and customer service skills. A high school diploma or equivalent is preferred but not mandatory. The ability to observe product quality carefully and exercise good judgment before presenting food to our guests is essential to maintaining our reputation for excellence.