Pollo Tropical Careers | Latin-Inspired Restaurant Roles

If you’ve ever thought about getting a job in food service, Pollo Tropical Careers might actually be of interest to you. The hours can work around your schedule, you’re constantly on your feet, and the vibe is way more upbeat than some boring office gig. The company is especially popular with teens, college students, or pretty much anyone who wants to make money without needing years of experience. The teams usually feel more like friend groups, and you’ll be surrounded by the smell of grilled chicken, fresh rice, and all those wild sauces every single shift.

Lately, more and more people are hopping online, looking up stuff like how to apply for Pollo Tropical, what the starting pay is, or even who’s hiring in their area. If you’ve searched for job applications, openings near you or just want to know if they pay weekly, you’re not alone. This article breaks it all down, from what roles are open and how to get hired to what working there is actually like day to day. Whether you’re just getting started or thinking about switching it up, this guide has you covered.

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Pollo Tropical Careers | Recent Openings in Food Prep & Guest Service

Pollo Tropical – A Company Overview

Pollo Tropical is a fast-casual restaurant brand that’s all about serving up Caribbean-style meals with bold flavors and colorful ingredients. Think grilled chicken, yellow rice, black beans, and plantains with a lineup of homemade sauces that are way more fun than your usual ketchup and mayo. The first restaurant opened in Miami in 1988, and the brand has grown a lot since then. There are now over 140 locations, mostly in Florida, with a few others spread across states like Georgia and Texas. What makes it stand out is the tropical energy, family-friendly prices, and food that’s actually grilled fresh, not frozen and microwaved.

Pollo Tropical is part of the Fiesta Restaurant Group, which also runs Taco Cabana. So they’re not just one restaurant. They’ve got a bigger company behind the scenes helping with operations, staffing, marketing, and development. Besides working at the register or the grill in-store, there are roles in corporate offices, delivery, HR, and warehouse operations. The brand focuses a lot on training and teamwork, so even if you start out bagging orders, there’s room to grow. The company also works closely with local communities, which adds a nice personal touch to everything they do.

Types of Jobs

Whether you want to earn your first paycheck or move into a leadership role in food service, Pollo Tropical has a mix of entry-level and experienced positions. So, if you’re someone who wants to keep moving forward, this list might give you a clearer idea of where to start.

Team Member

Team members do a little bit of everything. One minute, you might be prepping ingredients or wiping down the drink station, and the next, you’re helping pack to-go orders with speed and a smile.

Requirements:

• Must be at least 16 years’ old
• Able to stand and move around for long periods
• Willing to follow instructions and learn quickly
• Friendly and respectful toward coworkers and guests
• Basic understanding of cleanliness and safety in a food environment

Cashier

Cashiers are the face of the restaurant. The job involves ringing up orders, answering menu questions, handling payments, and making sure the front counter stays organized.

Requirements:

• Must be comfortable using a register and handling cash or cards
• Friendly and clear communication with guests
• Able to multitask and stay calm during lunch or dinner rushes
• Must have basic math skills for giving change
• Reliability and showing up on time is key

Cook / Grill Master

Cooks are the ones behind all the amazing smells coming from the kitchen. Whether you’re grilling chicken to perfection or prepping sides like black beans and yuca, this role is all about staying sharp and consistent.

Requirements:

• Comfortable working around grills, fryers, and hot surfaces
• Must follow food safety and prep procedures carefully
• Good coordination and fast hands help a lot
• Must be able to lift trays and ingredients safely
• Willing to work early mornings or late nights if needed

Shift Leader

Shift leaders help keep everything running during their scheduled time. Think of them like mini-managers who make sure the team is in sync, breaks are scheduled, and customers are happy.

Requirements:

• Experience in food service or customer service roles is a plus
• Strong communication skills and the ability to lead by example
• Basic knowledge of scheduling and handling shift changes
• Must be 18 or older for most locations
• Ability to step into different roles depending on the shift’s needs

Assistant Manager

Assistant managers help run the store side by side with the general manager. That includes making sure the food and service hit company standards, coaching the team, helping with hiring, and sometimes even jumping into the kitchen or register when it gets busy.

Requirements:

• Prior leadership or supervisor experience in retail or food service
• Good understanding of store operations and safety policies
• Must be organized and able to handle paperwork or reports
• Reliable with flexible availability, including weekends
• Must be comfortable coaching and giving feedback to team members

General Manager

General managers are in charge of everything at their location. That includes staffing, training, keeping costs in check, hitting sales goals, and making sure the store looks and feels the way it should.

Requirements:

• At least 2 to 3 years of experience in restaurant or retail management
• Must understand budgeting, sales goals, and performance tracking
• Strong leadership and decision-making skills
• Available for full-time work, including nights and weekends
• Ability to hire, train, and lead large teams

Corporate Roles (HR, IT, Finance, Training)

Outside of the restaurants, Pollo Tropical also has a full support team that works on things like marketing, human resources, training, and digital systems. These roles happen behind the scenes, but they’re just as important as making sure the chicken is cooked right.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in a related field
• Strong technical, writing, or organizational skills, depending on the department
• Able to work full-time in an office or hybrid environment
• Some roles may require travel or coordination with multiple stores
• Teamwork, communication, and time management are key in most departments

Remote and Part-Time Jobs

Most Pollo Tropical roles are in-person since they’re restaurant-based, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have options. If you’re looking for a remote job, the best shot is with their corporate departments like HR or IT, and even then, it depends on what’s open at the time. These roles usually require more experience and might offer hybrid work setups instead of full remote. On the other hand, part-time work is super easy to find here. Nearly every in-store role can be done on a part-time schedule, which is perfect if you’re still in school or need a second job. You can set your availability and pick shifts that don’t clash with your life.

Location-Based Hiring

If you’ve been typing things like “Pollo Tropical jobs near me” into the search bars, you’re not alone. Most of the hiring is concentrated in Florida cities like Miami, Tampa, and Orlando, but other nearby areas have openings, too. Hiring activity spikes around holidays, school breaks, or summer rushes when more staff are needed to handle the crowds. You can use the ZIP code search tool on their careers page to find listings near your neighborhood.

Salary and Perks

A lot of people wonder how much Pollo Tropical pays and if it’s worth it. Entry-level team members and cashiers usually start at around $12 to $15 an hour, depending on the store location. If you’re on the grill or handling kitchen duties, that can go up to around $16 an hour. Shift leaders usually make a few dollars more because of the added responsibility. For assistant managers, the salary range is typically between $40k and $50k per year, while general managers can earn from $55,000 to $75,000. Perks vary by role, but full-timers can get health coverage, paid time off, and access to 401k plans. You also get free or discounted meals during shifts and sometimes bonuses for performance or meeting team goals. It’s definitely more than just a paycheck if you stick with it.

Application Process for Pollo Tropical Jobs 

Applying to Pollo Tropical jobs only takes a few minutes and can be done online. Here are the steps.

1. Start by visiting the official Pollo Tropical careers site or their partner sites like NowHiring.
2. Use search filters to narrow down roles by location, position type, or keywords.
3. Once you see a job that fits, hit the Apply button and begin the online form.
4. You’ll need to either create a quick profile or log in to proceed.
5. Uploading your resume is optional, but it definitely helps if you’ve worked before.
6. Some positions include a short quiz or an availability check after the main form.
7. Interviews usually happen in person at the store or occasionally over the phone.
8. After you’re hired, onboarding is done quickly, and you’ll be trained on-site with your team.

Summary

If you want a job that mixes good energy, flexible shifts, and a chance to build work experience fast, Pollo Tropical is worth checking out. It’s a solid place for students, first-time workers, and anyone who loves fast-paced teamwork. With simple hiring steps, fun teams, and growth potential, you can go from team member to leadership if you stick around. Whether you’re there for extra cash or planning to grow with the company, it’s a chill way to get started in food service.

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