EL Service Assistant

Job summary

The Service Assistant maintains a clean, safe, and organized restaurant environment while supporting front-of-house and back-of-house operations. They assist guests with dining needs and ensure compliance with brand standards for cleanliness and food safety.

Job details

Position: Service Assistant Reports to: Shift Leader / Assistant Manager / General Manager Job Overview The Service Assistant is responsible for maintaining a clean, safe, organized, and guest-ready restaurant environment while supporting front-of-house and back-of-house operations. This role assists with dining room cleanliness, guest service support, stocking, sanitation, food safety, and restaurant appearance to ensure an exceptional guest experience and compliance with El Pollo Loco brand standards. Key Responsibilities Guest Service Support * Greet guests in a friendly and professional manner. * Assist guests with dining room needs and requests. * Deliver exceptional hospitality by maintaining a clean and welcoming dining environment. * Assist team members during busy periods to support efficient guest service. * Address basic guest concerns and communicate issues to management as needed. * Assist guests with carrying trays, beverages, and large orders when appropriate. * Dining Room & Restaurant Maintenance * Maintain cleanliness and organization of the dining room, beverage station, condiment station, and guest areas. * Clean and sanitize tables, chairs, booths, counters, and guest-touch surfaces. * Monitor and restock napkins, utensils, condiments, beverage supplies, and other guest-use items. * Maintain restaurant appearance throughout the shift. * Ensure restrooms remain clean, stocked, and guest-ready at all times. * Maintain cleanliness of restaurant entrances, sidewalks, patios, and parking lot areas. Food Safety & Sanitation * Follow all food safety, sanitation, and health department regulations. * Properly use cleaning chemicals and sanitation supplies according to company procedures. * Maintain sanitizer buckets and cleaning stations throughout the shift. * Support compliance with restaurant cleanliness and food safety standards. * Report safety hazards, maintenance issues, or sanitation concerns to management immediately. Stocking & Operational Support * Stock front counter supplies, packaging materials, beverage stations, and service areas. * Assist with receiving, organizing, and storing deliveries as assigned. * Support kitchen and service teams by transporting supplies and replenishing products. * Assist with shift transitions, opening procedures, and closing procedures. * Perform other duties as assigned. Cleaning & Facility Standards * Sweep, mop, and maintain floors throughout the restaurant. * Empty trash receptacles and transport trash to designated disposal areas. * Clean windows, doors, walls, and other restaurant surfaces as assigned. * Clean dining room fixtures, beverage equipment, and guest service areas. * Maintain exterior cleanliness including parking lot, sidewalks, patios, landscaping areas, and dumpster enclosures. * Perform any other cleaning or side work tasks assigned by management. Physical Activity * Standing, walking, bending, stooping, twisting, reaching, and grasping. * Lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling objects. * Communicating with guests, team members, and management. * Operating cleaning equipment and utilizing cleaning supplies. * Stocking supplies and transporting products throughout the restaurant. Physical Requirements * Standing and walking for extended periods during the work shift. * Lifting and carrying ranges: * 0–10 lbs: Frequent * 11–25 lbs: Frequent * 26–50 lbs: Occasional with assistance * 51–75 lbs: Seldom; team-lift only * Pushing and pulling approximately 10–40 lbs of force occasionally. * Frequent use of hands for cleaning, stocking, lifting, carrying, and equipment operation. Work Environment * Work performed in restaurant dining room, kitchen support areas, restrooms, storage areas, and exterior areas. * Exposure to heat, noise, wet or slippery surfaces, cleaning chemicals, and varying weather conditions. * Fast-paced environment with continuous guest interaction. * Variable schedules including mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays based on business needs. Cognitive Demands (ADA/FEHA-Compliant) * Ability to maintain attention to cleanliness, organization, and safety standards. * Ability to prioritize tasks and respond to changing restaurant needs. * Ability to communicate clearly and professionally with guests and team members. * Ability to follow written and verbal instructions. * Ability to work independently while maintaining productivity. * Ability to adapt to changing priorities and operational demands. * Ability to maintain regular and predictable attendance. Requirements * Previous restaurant, janitorial, hospitality, or customer service experience preferred but not required. * Strong customer service and communication skills. * Ability to follow food safety and sanitation procedures. * Ability to work in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment. * Ability to safely use cleaning equipment and chemicals. * Ability to work flexible schedules including mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays. * Basic literacy and communication skills required. This document describes the job and its traditional physical, cognitive, and environmental demands. It does not describe the abilities of any individual employee. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

What you’ll do

The Service Assistant maintains a clean, safe, and organized restaurant environment while supporting front-of-house and back-of-house operations. They assist guests with dining needs and ensure compliance with brand standards for cleanliness and food safety.

Requirements

Previous experience in restaurant, janitorial, or customer service roles is preferred but not required. Candidates must possess strong communication skills and the ability to work in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.

Listed skills

• Time management · Preferred
• Customer service · Preferred
• Teamwork · Preferred
• Cleaning · Preferred
• Attention to detail · Preferred
• Food safety · Preferred
• Communication · Preferred
• Sanitation · Preferred

Other relevant skills

Identified from the job description. Confirm important requirements above.

• Customer service
• Food safety
• Sanitation
• Cleaning
• Stocking
• Communication
• Teamwork
• Time management
• Attention to detail
• Hospitality
• Equipment Operation
• Window Cleaning
• Professionalism
• Management
• Cleanliness
• Customer Service
• Disabilities
• Mopping
• Fair Employment And Housing Act (FEHA)
• Food Safety And Sanitation
• Landscaping
• Operations
• Safety Standards
• Restaurant Operation
• Team Oriented
• Prioritization
• Greeting Customers
• Customer Complaint Resolution

Job areas

• Hospitality
• Food & Beverage
• Customer Service & Support
• Retail
• Service Assistant
• Busser / Banquet Worker / Cafeteria Attendant
• Food Service Counter Attendants
• Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers

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