Cook

Job Description At El Pollo Loco, we don’t just serve fire‑grilled chicken — we serve careers that bring the heat. As a Grill Master, you’ll ignite the El Pollo Loco experience by preparing grilled and hot food items with precision and passion. Position Purpose The Grill Master (Cook) creates a "Best in Class" guest experience by preparing grill‑ready foods while maintaining company standards for preparation and presentation. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Prepare, marinate, season, cook, stock and rotate chicken and other grilled proteins according to company standards. Receive orders, cut cooked chicken, and arrange proteins for proper presentation on the plate or in applicable packaging apparatus. Monitor holding time for grilled proteins and take corrective action when hold time expires or when product quality fails to meet company standards. Maintain and ensure all cooked proteins are at proper serving temperature. Inspect chicken and other raw proteins for acceptable quality standards prior to marinating or grilling. Clean and sanitize the entire work area, including all equipment, tools, storage containers, grills, and hoods. Perform other duties as assigned by management to support restaurant operations. Qualifications – Education, Experience, License/Certifications To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to satisfactorily perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodation will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. The requirements listed below are representative of the education and/or experience required. Certifications Obtain Food Handler Certification promptly upon hire, adhering to EPL policy and state regulations. Education/Work Experience Previous experience in customer service or food service is preferred but not required. What’s in it for you? Competitive pay No overnight hours Employee discount on food Excellent career growth potential (we promote from within) Flexible schedule: Full‑Time or Part‑Time hours Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance * Paid vacation ** Employee Assistance Program Flexible spending accounts, Legal Insurance, and Pet Insurance * 401(K) plan with match and immediate vesting (must be at least 21 to participate) Discounts on theme parks, movie tickets, sports events, hotels and more… * Eligibility for these benefits is based on the number of average hours worked per week within a 12‑month period. ** Eligibility begins after completing at least 12 months of employment averaging 33 hours of work per week. Why work for us? When it comes to our people, our motto is: Let them cook. We see you as our secret ingredient. While our chicken is fire, it’s our people that set us ablaze. You’re the ones bringing passion, ideas, and energy—the flavor—whether cooking in the restaurant or working in the support center. That’s why we take pride in providing a place where you can express, develop, and belong… all while enjoying a healthy balance. Here, fire‑grilled chicken makes flamin’ good careers. The pay range identified is the hourly or salary rate El Pollo Loco expects to pay for the posted position. This range does not include any benefits or bonus opportunities that might be available for the position based on eligibility criteria. Individual pay will vary based on a variety of factors including years of experience, industry experience, education, geography, etc. #J-18808-Ljbffr