What Does an El Pollo Loco Cashier Do?

El Pollo Loco is a fast-casual restaurant chain specializing in Mexican-style grilled chicken. They have over 400 locations in the United States and Mexico.

A cashier at El Pollo Loco is responsible for providing excellent customer service and ensuring that all transactions are processed accurately and efficiently. They greet customers, take orders, process payments, and answer any questions customers may have. Cashiers must also maintain a clean and organized work area and adhere to all safety and sanitation guidelines.

El Pollo Loco Cashier Job Duties

An El Pollo Loco Cashier typically has a wide range of responsibilities, which can include:

• Greet customers in a friendly and courteous manner, providing excellent customer service
• Accurately process cash, credit card, and gift card transactions
• Ensure accuracy of all orders by verifying order details with the customer
• Maintain cleanliness of work area, including counters, registers, and dining room tables
• Assist in stocking shelves and coolers as needed
• Follow food safety guidelines to ensure quality products are served
• Answer questions about menu items, ingredients, and nutritional information
• Upsell additional items when appropriate
• Resolve customer complaints in a professional and timely manner
• Balance cash drawer at the end of each shift
• Count money in cash drawers at the beginning of shifts to ensure that amounts are correct and that there is adequate change
• Adhere to company policies and procedures

El Pollo Loco Cashier Salary

The salary for a cashier at El Pollo Loco is determined by a variety of factors, including the individual’s experience level, the location of the store, the demand for the position, and the company’s overall budget. Additionally, the cashier’s performance and the amount of hours worked can also affect their salary. El Pollo Loco offers competitive wages and benefits to its employees, and is committed to providing a positive work environment.

• Median Annual Salary: $28,297 ($13.6/hour)
• Top 10% Annual Salary: $35,310 ($16.98/hour)

El Pollo Loco Cashier Job Requirements

El Pollo Loco is looking for friendly, outgoing cashiers to join their team. The ideal candidate should have a high school diploma or equivalent, and at least one year of customer service experience. Cashiers must be able to accurately handle cash transactions, use a point-of-sale system, and provide excellent customer service. They must also be able to stand for long periods of time and lift up to 25 pounds. El Pollo Loco also requires cashiers to have a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation. Cashiers must be able to work flexible hours, including nights and weekends.

El Pollo Loco Cashier Skills

El Pollo Loco Cashier employees need the following skills in order to be successful:

Point of Sale (POS) Systems: A cashier’s ability to use a point of sale system is an important skill to have. These systems are used to process credit and debit card transactions, as well as cash payments. Cashiers should be familiar with how to use these systems and be able to troubleshoot any issues that may arise.

Computer Literacy: Computer literacy is the ability to use a computer and its software. As a cashier, you’ll likely use a computerized cash register, so it’s important to know how to use the system. You may also be responsible for entering customer information into a database, so computer literacy is a necessary skill for this job.

Communication Skills: Communication skills are the ability to convey information to others in a clear and understandable way. As a cashier, you may be communicating with customers, managers and cooks. It’s important to be able to speak clearly and understand what others are saying to you.

Attention to Detail: Having good attention to detail means you can notice small errors and make corrections. This is important for cashiers because it ensures customers receive the correct order and the restaurant doesn’t receive complaints about incorrect orders. You can also use attention to detail to check if customers have paid the correct amount and to check if customers have returned all their change.

Inventory Management: Inventory management is the ability to keep track of the products you have in stock and the amount of each product. As a cashier, you may be responsible for keeping track of the inventory in your section. This includes knowing how much product you have and what you have. This can help you make sure you don’t run out of product and you can help the customer find what they’re looking for.

El Pollo Loco Cashier Work Environment

El Pollo Loco cashiers typically work in a fast-paced, customer-oriented environment. They are expected to provide excellent customer service and handle customer complaints in a professional manner. Cashiers typically work a 40-hour workweek, but may be required to work additional hours during peak times. Cashiers may also be required to work nights and weekends. Cashiers must be able to stand for long periods of time and be able to lift up to 25 pounds. Cashiers must also be able to work in a fast-paced environment and be able to handle multiple tasks at once. Cashiers must also be able to work with minimal supervision and be able to work well with other employees.

El Pollo Loco Cashier Trends

Here are three trends influencing how El Pollo Loco Cashier employees work.

Cashiers: The New Front Line of Retail Security?

Cashiers are increasingly being asked to take on a new role in retail security. With the rise of shoplifting and other forms of theft, cashiers at El Pollo Loco have been trained to be aware of suspicious behavior and to report any incidents to management. Cashiers must also be vigilant about checking customer IDs for age verification when selling alcohol or tobacco products.

Cashiers are now expected to not only provide excellent customer service but also act as an extra layer of security. This is especially important in fast-paced environments like El Pollo Loco where customers come and go quickly. By understanding this emerging trend, cashiers can better protect their store from potential losses due to theft and fraud.

Contactless Payments

Contactless payments are becoming increasingly popular as a way to reduce the spread of germs and viruses. El Pollo Loco cashiers need to be aware of this trend in order to provide customers with an efficient, safe, and secure payment experience.

Contactless payments allow customers to pay for their purchases without having to physically touch any money or cards. This is done through near-field communication (NFC) technology, which allows customers to simply tap their card or phone on the reader at checkout. Cashiers should be familiar with how contactless payments work so they can help customers who may not be familiar with the process. Additionally, cashiers should also be able to answer customer questions about security and privacy concerns related to contactless payments.

Customer Identification

Customer identification is an emerging trend in the restaurant industry, and El Pollo Loco cashiers are at the forefront of this technology. With customer identification, cashiers can quickly identify customers by scanning their driver’s license or other form of ID. This allows for faster transactions and improved customer service.

Customer identification also helps to protect against fraud and theft. By verifying a customer’s identity, cashiers can ensure that they are not accepting payments from someone who is not authorized to make purchases. Additionally, it can help to reduce wait times as customers do not have to provide additional information when making a purchase.

Advancement Prospects

Cashiers at El Pollo Loco may be able to advance their careers by taking on additional responsibilities. For example, they may be able to become shift supervisors, responsible for managing the cashiers and other staff during their shift. They may also be able to become assistant managers, responsible for helping the store manager with day-to-day operations. With additional experience, they may be able to become store managers, responsible for the overall operations of the store.

Interview Questions

Here are five common El Pollo Loco Cashier interview questions and answers.

1. Tell me about yourself.

This question is a common one in interviews. It gives you the opportunity to share your background and experiences with the interviewer. When answering this question, it can be helpful to include information that relates to the position you’re interviewing for.

Example: “I grew up in California, where I attended high school. After graduation, I moved to New York City to attend college at NYU. While there, I studied business management and marketing. During my time in college, I worked as a cashier at a local grocery store. This experience helped me learn how to work well under pressure and develop customer service skills. After graduating from college, I returned home to California. I now work as an assistant manager at a restaurant.”

2. How did you handle dealing with an agitated customer?

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle stressful situations and whether or not you have experience dealing with customers who are upset. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation where you helped calm an angry customer and diffused the situation.

Example: “At my previous job as a cashier at a local grocery store, I had a customer come through my line who was very impatient. They were in a rush and wanted me to ring up their items quickly, but I always try to take my time when ringing up customers so that I don’t make any mistakes. The customer became more and more agitated, and eventually they started raising their voice at me. I remained calm and apologized for taking so long, explaining that I needed to ensure accuracy. After apologizing, I asked if there was anything else I could do to help them.”

3. Where do you see yourself five years from now?

This question is a great way to learn more about the applicant’s career goals and how they plan to achieve them. It also helps employers determine if you’re likely to stay with their company for an extended period of time. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think about what your life will look like in five years. Consider things like where you’ll live, who you’ll be dating or married to and what kind of job you’ll have.

Example: “In five years, I see myself working as a cashier at El Pollo Loco. I hope to still be single by then, so I’m not sure if I’ll have kids yet. I’d love to buy my own home by that point, though. I would also like to advance within the company to become a shift manager.”

4. What is the most stressful situation you have been in while working? How did you handle it?

This question is an opportunity to show your ability to handle stressful situations and how you can use problem-solving skills to overcome challenges. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation that happened in the past and how you overcame the challenge.

Example: “The most stressful situation I have experienced while working was when a customer came into the restaurant with their young child who had a fever. The parent asked if they could get their meal for free because their child wasn’t feeling well. As a cashier, we are not allowed to give away food for free unless there is a health code violation. However, I knew that the best way to help the family would be to offer them a discount on their next visit.”

5. Are you available to work weekends and holidays?

El Pollo Loco is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week, so the interviewer will want to know if you’re available to work weekends. If you are, explain that you enjoy working in a fast-paced environment and can meet the demands of weekend shifts.

Example: “I’m happy to work any shift as long as it’s during my scheduled hours. I’ve worked many weekend and evening shifts at previous jobs, so I’m used to the busyness of those times. I also understand how important it is to have someone on staff who can handle the rush of customers during these times.”