Success Stories

Cassie Chytracek

I received a phone call from Portillo’s to set up an interview for the receptionist position. Having known someone who worked for the company for several years that loved their job, I was very excited for the interview. The interview went great and everyone was very friendly. In September of 2004 I was hired as the receptionist for The Portillo Restaurant Group. It is now four years later and I am the executive assistant to the Chief Operating Officer. I have learned a lot working at Portillo’s but I think one of the most important things I have learned is that the opportunities are endless if you put 100% into the work you do.

Elsa Lopez

My sister told me, “We are going to eat today at the best of the fast food restaurants in Chicago” and this is the way I got to know the famous Portillo’s. I became in-love with the system and didn’t rest until I was hired. I started to work for them in April 2002 at the Glendale Heights location. While working at the Schaumburg location I saw a sign for two positions open at the Corporate office. I applied for the filing clerk position in the Payroll Department. After six months in that position, they recognized my interest in learning the payroll system at which time they began training me on the payroll procedures. I started with handling two stores and this was the start to my new career.

Jim Artman

In 1985 I started as a cook and cashier at Portillo’s. By 1997, I entered the Manager in Training Program and completed the 12 week course. My General Manager worked very hard with our management team and in 2004 I became a General Manager. The company has taught me so much about the industry and about life. I would be remiss not to tell you how challenging, demanding and rewarding it has been for me.

Javier Castillo

I started with Portillo’s in 1986 at the Arlington Heights store. The first thing I was taught was how to make hamburgers. I moved to a Crew Chief position and then into management. Moving up the management ranks I became a General Manager of our Addison store, the year was 1993. In January of 2007, having been at several stores with countless experiences I became an Area Supervisor. Portillo’s and I have been good for each other. I am very motivated and love the fast pace. They have developed my skills and have given me many opportunities. Portillo’s is a wonderful company with superb benefits. It is a first class environment offering superior advancements. If you ask me how I feel about my last twenty-two years with Portillo’s, “I feel great!”

Nancy Parra

I started with Portillo’s Corporate office in October of 1987, as a Payroll Coordinator in charge of eleven locations. Currently, I manage the Payroll Department along with five Payroll Coordinators. Portillo’s has provided me the opportunity to be a part of a respected and well known company which always sparks such positive feedback with the mere mention of the name.

Sherri Abruscato

My first job was with Portillo’s in 1969 as a teenager in high school working at the new Glendale Heights location. Dan & Glenda Knippen were the store managers. As the company grew so did the opportunity for more responsibility and advancement. In a couple of years I had moved from part-time accounting and payroll to a full-time administrative assistant position for a much needed operations department. By mid 1990’s I was the Operations Manager and assumed the responsibility of new construction coordination. Today, I proudly represent the position of Chief Operating Officer and truly enjoy working on the daily challenges with all departments in all facets of the company operations. Mr. Portillo has a passion for his company that flows through to all levels of management pushing us to continually set the bar to higher expectations and instilling a great sense of pride.

Adam Paine

To earn money towards a new car, I applied for a job at Luigi’s House as a server in 2004. Even though I had prior experience, the comprehensive training program improved my performance. Everyday I was introduced to menu items and learned to match wine to specific entrees. The authentic menu has so many ingredients that you really have to study, but the Instructors, including the Chef, were very helpful during the training phase of my career. In 2006, I was promoted to the position of Floor Supervisor and within the year, I began the Manager-in-Training Program. As a Manager, I have many responsibilities, including developing the talents of any staff member who aspires to become a manager.

Christina Mahdi

When I left a job that I had for 17 years, I thought I wouldn’t find another job that I could belong to, but I did. Portillo’s gave me the chance to show how much I can do in the food industry. I haven’t seen a company that actually gives you the chance to expand your abilities in such a successful way as they have mine. They put you through three months of training and that is when you really learn the concept of the business. After four years with this company, I moved up in my position immensely and now I’m proving that I can be good at what I set my goals to.

Earnest Rogers

My starting point was the summer of 1995, when I became a member of the support staff at Portillo’s. I was then promoted to guest services and later became an Instructor so that I could train others. I didn’t have any practical experience before I started but my managers help me develop the skills I needed for success. Of course, I also enjoyed the meal discount.

Glenda Knippen

I started with Portillo’s in the summer of 1967 in the original hot dog stand in Villa Park, IL making sandwiches and running the cash register. In 1971, Dick asked me if I wanted to be his bookkeeper, and, of course, I said "yes!" I worked at the first corporate office, which was in the basement of the Glendale Heights location. I was Dick’s girl friday for many years until he opened up his 7th store and the office needed to expand. At that time, my job responsibilities included accounting, payroll, insurance, Dick’s assistant, and any other office work that needed to be done. Since 1971, I have advanced my career and worked in many departments. Currently, I run the Benefits department and enjoy helping the employees with their insurance and 401(k). Even after 40 years, I love working at Portillo’s and I couldn’t have made a better choice for a career.