The Top 25 El Pollo Loco Interview Questions To Prepare For

Getting hired at a popular restaurant like El Pollo Loco is an exciting opportunity, but you’ll need to really impress during the interview process. In this article, we’ll discuss the top 25 most common El Pollo Loco interview questions, why employers ask them, and how to prepare winning answers

El Pollo Loco, Spanish for “The Crazy Chicken,” first opened in 1975 in Mexico The chain expanded to the US in the 1980s and now has over 480 locations across the country. Known for fire-grilled chicken and Mexican-inspired cuisine, El Pollo Loco aims to provide healthy, fresh fast food.

Working at El Pollo Loco means operating in a fast-paced environment that values customer service and teamwork Interview questions will assess your skills and fit for the company culture, We’ll break down what employers want to hear in your responses so you can ace the interview and start your exciting career with El Pollo Loco!

1. Why do you want to work at El Pollo Loco?

This common question tests your knowledge and enthusiasm for the company. Interviewers want to hear that you’re truly excited about El Pollo Loco specifically, not just any restaurant job.

In your answer, mention your passion for the food industry and interest in El Pollo Loco’s fresh, Mexican-inspired menu. Share why their commitment to healthful, fire-grilled chicken appeals to you. And highlight your alignment with their fast-paced but welcoming work environment and emphasis on customer service.

Conveying genuine interest and knowledge about El Pollo Loco’s brand and values will impress the interviewer and kick off the interview strongly.

2. What experience do you have in the restaurant industry?

Restaurant experience isn’t always required, but highlighting any relevant experience you do have will strengthen your candidacy. Even if you don’t have direct restaurant experience, draw connections to any customer service roles.

Discuss previous serving, hosting, or cook positions. Emphasize skills like taking orders, managing food safety, resolving issues quickly, and maintaining a friendly demeanor with customers, even when under stress. These transferable abilities show you can handle the fast-paced restaurant workplace.

If you don’t have restaurant experience, share examples of providing excellent customer service in another context. Focus on skills that would translate, like multitasking, problem-solving, and communicating effectively.

3. Why do you want to work in fast food?

Employers want to see you view fast food as a legitimate career path, not just temporary work. Highlight your desire to learn and grow in the industry. Share why you find the fast-paced nature exciting and enjoy interacting with customers.

Express your interest in El Pollo Loco’s commitment to fresh, healthier options that improve the standard fast food experience. Convey your enthusiasm to gain experience in high-volume food preparation and service. With the right attitude, limited experience won’t hold you back.

4. What do you know about our company culture and values?

Researching El Pollo Loco before the interview gives key insights into their company culture and core values. Their website highlights community involvement, culture of appreciation, and obsession with chicken.

In your answer, mention specific details that stood out to you. Share why these values resonate with you. For example, you may appreciate the emphasis on creating genuine connections with customers and employees. Highlight aspects of the culture you’d be excited to contribute to.

5. Why do you want to work in the food industry?

This question gauges your passion for the industry. Be specific in highlighting your interest in food service, preparation, and hospitality. Share any relevant past positions or education that sparked your enthusiasm.

Express your excitement to learn food safety, gain experience in high-volume meal preparation, and provide excellent customer service. Convey why you find the fast-paced nature and teamwork aspect of restaurants appealing. Your passion will energize you in the challenging but rewarding food industry.

6. How would you handle an angry or difficult customer?

Restaurant employees inevitably encounter unhappy customers from time to time. Interviewers want to know you can maintain professionalism and resolve issues calmly even in tough situations.

Describe how you would listen attentively to understand the customer’s concerns. Share how you’d apologize for the situation and aim to find a reasonable solution or compromise. Give an example of a time you smoothly diffused a customer complaint or turned around negative feedback at a previous job.

Staying cool under pressure and keeping the customer’s overall experience in mind are key. This question also tests your customer service skills and problem-solving abilities.

7. What qualities make a successful restaurant employee?

This behavioral question allows you to highlight the top traits that enable restaurant staff to thrive in a demanding workplace. Emphasize must-haves like:

• Strong communication and teamwork
• Ability to multitask efficiently
• Comfort working in a fast-paced setting
• Positive attitude and patience
• Commitment to cleanliness and food safety

Elaborate on a few you possess that would help you excel as a restaurant employee at El Pollo Loco. Provide examples of using those strengths in previous roles. This showcases your self-awareness regarding the skills the job requires.

8. What would you do if you saw a coworker ignoring food safety standards?

Food safety is extremely important in any restaurant role. With this situational question, interviewers want to ensure you take food safety seriously and won’t compromise standards.

Explain you would politely intervene and remind the coworker of proper food handling protocols. Emphasize following policies to maintain safe, high-quality food is every employee’s responsibility. If they continued unsafe practices, share that you would alert a supervisor to protect customers and preserve the restaurant’s reputation.

Your response demonstrates you prioritize food safety, follow rules, and exercise good judgment. These are all essential qualities in restaurant work.

9. How do you handle pressure or stressful situations?

Restaurants inevitably involve high-pressure situations. Interviewers want applicants who thrive under stress and see it as a challenge rather than a weakness.

Share examples of remaining calm and focused during stressful times at past jobs. Describe any strategies you use to manage stress effectively, like taking deep breaths, asking a coworker for help, or focusing on one task at a time.

Highlight that you recognize high-pressure situations are inevitable in this industry and welcome the opportunity to challenge yourself and grow your stress management skills. Your poise under pressure will be a major asset at El Pollo Loco.

10. Why should we hire you over other applicants?

This closing question gives you a final chance to highlight your top qualifications. Avoid simply restating your resume; instead relate your strengths directly to the company and role.

Share your strong alignment with El Pollo Loco’s culture, passion for the brand, and relevant skills and experience that position you for success. Convey your work ethic, diligence and enthusiasm to learn and develop on the job. State that you are committed to providing excellent customer service and contributing to an efficient, collaborative workplace.

Keep it concise but persuasive. This answer gives interviewers a clear picture of the unique value you will bring to El Pollo Loco if hired.

11. What are your career goals?

While this role may be an entry-level job for you, employers still want to see you have professional ambition and growth potential.

In your response, express your interest in gaining experience in customer service, food prep, and high-volume restaurant operations. Share your excitement to learn El Pollo Loco’s training program and develop new skills on the job. State you hope to take on additional responsibilities over time, such as training new hires or managing shifts.

Convey your commitment to performing excellently in any role you take on. Highlight your work ethic, positivity, and teamwork abilities that will enable you to grow successfully within the company.

12. How do you handle working under pressure?

Restaurant staff need competence working under pressure, as customer orders pile up and issues arise during the busiest times. This question tests your strategies when under stress.

Share how you stay focused on the task at hand, tune out distractions, and avoid getting flustered. Provide an example of smoothly and accurately taking orders, preparing food, or addressing customer needs during a particularly hectic shift at a previous job. Emphasize any stress management or efficiency tactics you apply.

Your ability to thrive under pressure and balance speed and quality will be essential for success at El Pollo Loco. This response can assure the interviewer you’ll rise to meet any challenge.

13. What do you know about our menu offerings?

Familiarity with El Pollo Loco’s menu demonstrates your interest in and enthusiasm for the company. Highlight menu items that excites you, like fire-grilled chicken, Mexican-style sides, and fresh ingredients.

Mention any limited time offers or seasonal items you’ve tried and enjoyed. Share your appreciation for their healthier take on traditional fast food with grilled options and fresh produce. This answer conveys you’re a true El Pollo Loco fan.

14. Why do you think customer service is important in restaurants?

Excellent customer service can make or break a restaurant’