Portillo’s Interview Questions
& Process
Real candidates share what happened, how many rounds they had,
and how the experience turned out.
Based on 51 interview experiences · FREE TO READ
Which role are you interviewing for?
13 roles · 51 reportsCandidate interview experiences
First-hand accounts from people who interviewed at Portillo’s.
Portillo’s
Instructional Designer
Entry Average Negative experience No offer 2 rounds
Interview process
Recruiter call Phone screen Background check
Interview formats
Behavioral
I had a call with the recruiter and it went well. Then I spoke with the hiring manager and that also seemed to go well. The hiring manager said the recruiter would follow up for next steps. I was ghosted after that, even after sending a follow-up email. It's disappointing given how they seemed to care about people in the initial screening.
Confirmed questions1 question
- Can you share two strengths and two weaknesses?
Portillo’s
Shift Lead
Mid Easy Negative experience Decline offer 1 round
Interview process
Recruiter call Background check Offer
Interview formats
Behavioral
The interview was really quick and the manager didn't ask much about me or my experience, which felt off. Instead of offering me the job, they acted like I had already accepted and started my background check, telling me to start in two weeks. I had to interrupt them to say I hadn't accepted yet. It seemed like they were just trying to fill the position fast, even for management, which was another red flag. When I asked the manager about their favorite and least favorite things about the company, they said their favorite is the food but their least favorite is the poor team communication, which they cited as the main reason for staff turnover.
Confirmed questions1 question
- What is your employees' description of you?
Portillo’s
Talent Acquisition Specialist
Entry Average Negative experience Decline offer 7 rounds
Interview process
Recruiter call Phone screen Background check Offer
Interview formats
Behavioral
I was interviewed by 7 different people across 4 separate meetings, and the whole interview process took about 3 weeks. They verbally offered me the job, but after waiting for weeks, they never sent a written offer. I waited almost 2 months for a written offer and when I spoke to the manager, she couldn't give me a definite answer. It makes me wonder why they posted the job if it wasn't approved and why they would lead me on for months for a position that might not even happen. I kept checking about the offer, but no one ever replied. Given how this hiring process went, I'm not interested in working for Portillos anymore.
Confirmed questions2 questions
- What is your ultimate career goal?
- Could you share some information about yourself and your previous work experience?
Portillo’s
General Manager
Manager Average Positive experience Accept offer 4 rounds
Interview process
Panel Onsite Background check Offer
Interview formats
Presentation Behavioral Other
It was a multi-step process. It started with a panel interview for Restaurant GM, then moved to a Market Manager interview, followed by a working interview, and then finally HR and VP interviews. Most of these were online panel interviews, except for the on-site working interview. The main focus was on how you develop talent and the methods you used to do it.
Confirmed questions5 questions
- Can you tell me about your background in coaching and employee development?
- What's your track record with developing talent, and what were your methods?
- How do you go about fostering talent within your team?
Portillo’s Interview Questions
Quoted word for word from Portillo’s interview reports.
“Can you tell me about the history of Portillo's?”
Read reports →“Will you remove piercings and stop shaving?”
Read reports →“Do you hate black people?”
Read reports →“Tell me what you know about Portillo's.”
Read reports →“Tell me about a great memory you have at Portillo's.”
Read report →“Which of the four values in Portillo's mission statement do you consider most important?”
Read report →“Will you follow the uniform policy?”
Read report →“Do you have transportation that you can rely on?”
Read report →“Tell me, what's your favorite dish from our menu?”
Read report →Formats, difficulty and experience
Across all 51 Portillo’s interview reports.