Does El Pollo Loco pay their employees well?

According to anonymously submitted Glassdoor reviews, El Pollo Loco employees rate their compensation and benefits as 2.9 out of 5. Find out more about salaries and benefits at El Pollo Loco. This rating has decreased by 1% over the last 12 months.

How satisfied are employees working at El Pollo Loco?

51% of El Pollo Loco employees would recommend working there to a friend based on Glassdoor reviews . Employees also rated El Pollo Loco 3.2 out of 5 for work life balance, 3.2 for culture and values and 2.9 for career opportunities.

What are the top reviewed jobs at El Pollo Loco?

Cashier (281) , Sales Associate/Cashier (31) , Shift Leader (31) , Assistant Manager (19) , Cook (19) , General Manager (17) , Front End Cashier (14) , Line Cook (10) , Prep Cook (8) , Guest Service Team Member - Cashier (6) , Shift Supervisor (6) , Crew Member (5) , Manager (5) , Part Time Cashier (5) , Service Assistant (5)

What are the pros of working at El Pollo Loco according to real employee reviews?

"flexible with m schedule coworkers friendly" ((in 28 reviews)); "Met good people but also people who are a pain in the 😐" ((in 26 reviews)); "Free food on breaks and discounts" ((in 26 reviews)); "flexible hours considering I had school" ((in 24 reviews)); "The staff are friendly and kind." ((in 14 reviews))

What are the cons of working at El Pollo Loco according to real employee reviews?

"Bad management wouldn’t help when busy" ((in 61 reviews)); "Got treated unfairly too much of a hassle for little pay!" ((in 39 reviews)); "General Manager is rude and was holding my check from me." ((in 33 reviews)); "No benefits unless you are full time" ((in 14 reviews)); "Bad employees with bad training" ((in 13 reviews))

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El Pollo Loco

El Pollo Loco Reviews

Compare reviews

3.4

51% would recommend to a friend

(712 total reviews)

Liz Williams

58% approve of CEO

53% positive business outlook

Ratings by category

3.4

Diversity and inclusion

3.2

Culture and values

3.2

Work/Life balance

3.1

Senior management

2.9

Compensation and benefits

2.9

Career opportunities

El Pollo Loco has an employee rating of 3.4 out of 5 stars, based on 712 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have a good working experience there. The El Pollo Loco employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Restaurants and food service industry (3.7 stars).

Reviews by job title

712 reviews

1.0

5 Jun 2026

You'll See the Instability Within 60 Days

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business outlook

Pros

Not much else other than free food

Cons

High turnover, favortism, lack of stability, disconnect between corporate and restaurants.

4.0

5 Jun 2026

Great work-life balance but strong food odors

Cashier

Recommend

CEO approval

Business outlook

Pros

Work life balance, and perfect ambient

Cons

You will smell like chicken the wholes day

4.0

1 Jun 2026

Great coworkers and free food, but always busy

Cashier

Recommend

CEO approval

Business outlook

Pros

Nice location Free food Great coworkers

Cons

Always busy Low raises There is no specifically hired for maintenance.

Viewing 1 - 3 of 712 Reviews

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