Meet Laura, Team Member Relations Supervisor and one of our many success stories!!

Portillo’s is a growing brand, and it’s important to us that our team members grow with us. That means we arm them with the skills and knowledge to foster their growth and have practices in place to help them develop in their careers. Please take a moment to read about Laura’s growth and what she’s learned along the way as she progressed from an Employee Relations Specialist to Team Member Relations Supervisor in her career with Portillo’s!

?How long have you been with Portillo’s and what made you come work for us?

I have been with Portillo’s for just over 3.5 years (4 years as of next February). Truth be told, I wasn’t entirely sure what I wanted to do after finishing my undergrad degree, and so I took a restaurant manager position to get into the workforce (I was a supervisor at my university’s cafeteria). I really enjoyed the restaurant industry, but I felt that my true passion was more on the people side of the business. I went on to take an entry-level HR position to gain further experience. I wanted to continue to grow my career in Human Resources, and that’s when I luckily landed a position with Chicago icon Portillo’s, which also happened to be a restaurant I ate at frequently growing up! Thanks for giving me a shot!

What do you love about Portillo’s?

There are many things I love about Portillo’s, but here are three I want to highlight. The first may be cliché, but the people! I’ve had the opportunity to work with some absolutely incredible individuals at all levels, from the restaurants to the Restaurant Support Center to PFS. I’ve learned so much from various people in this organization, and I proudly consider many of my coworkers as friends. ?

Second, the brand. I love seeing how excited people get when they hear I work for Portillo’s. We have some of the best fans.

Finally, the organization’s commitment to its values. It’s one thing for a company to have a purpose and values, but it’s another to actually live it. From how we thoughtfully operated through the pandemic to filing for a successful IPO, Portillo’s has shown time and again how stands by its values of Family, Greatness, Energy and Fun.

What was your first position here and what position did you get promoted to?

I started as a Employee Relations Specialist/Recruiter dual role, and have been promoted up to a Team Member Relations Supervisor.

What do you love about your position?

I enjoy the problem-solving that comes with the role and being able to make an impact on others by helping them come to reasonable resolutions. I think people often have this perception that HR is very black-and-white, but I truly believe there is a lot of gray area that comes with the work we do, which is what makes the role challenging but also fun!

What advice would you give to someone at Portillo’s looking to move up?

I’ve found that when it comes to your development, you can sometimes be your own worst enemy. Hold yourself accountable and take the initiative on learning your role – set goals, make a gameplan, and execute. Don’t get stuck in one mindset lest you get stuck in one place – listen to/absorb new ideas and perspectives, and be open to change and feedback. Finally, be someone who inspires others – be authentic, be approachable, and be passionate! Now is such an exciting time to be part of Portillo’s, and I strongly encourage everyone to pursue the growth opportunities here.

Where do see yourself growing in this company?

My goal is to grow into a management position and continuing to develop the Team Member Relations department. Long term, I would love to be a People Business Partner.?