Kim Rivera, Senior Manager of Learning and Development at Portillo's, has been making an incredible impact on our restaurant teams through the learning experiences her and her team have created.
Learn about Kim's journey from restaurant manager to learning and development leader!
How long have you been with Portillo’s and what made you come work for us?
I’m excited to celebrate my 11th year with Portillo’s on St. Patrick’s Day! When I joined Portillo’s, I was searching for a company that truly valued family – both in the workplace and in supporting life outside of work. From the moment of my interview, it was clear that Family wasn’t just a word at Portillo’s; it was a part of the company’s core.
What do you love about Portillo’s?
What I love most about Portillo’s is the people and the pride we take in what we do. In a fast-paced high-volume environment, it takes an incredible team to deliver great experiences every day – and that’s exactly what we have. The passion and culture in this company are unmatched. Whether it’s a Team Member in the restaurants making the absolutely crave-worthy Chicago-Style hot dog, a Team Member at PFS cooking and slicing the absolutely perfect beef or a Team Member at our restaurant support center delivering unwavering support & excellence – every team thrives under the pride of being part of this iconic brand, It’s all about bringing unrivaled food and experiences to our Guests every single day.
What was your first position here and what position did you get promoted to?
I’m lucky enough to have started in our restaurants in a manager role. I’ve held several different positions over the years and am currently a Senior Manager of Learning & Development, in our Restaurant Support Center.
What do you love about your position?
In the L&D Department, we get to make an impact every day. In this high-volume and continuously growing environment, developing & supporting our teams is the key to delivering the legendary Portillo’s experience. I get to work with an amazing team that create learning experiences that empower our Team Members, help Leaders grow and ensure our values continue to thrive. Seeing people build confidence, sharpen their skills and take pride in their work is what makes this role so rewarding.
Our Ignite Development Programs have played a huge role in fueling internal promotions at industry-leading percentages – creating continuous growth opportunities for our incredible teams. Watching our teams rise through the ranks and achieve their goals is a constant reward!
What advice would you give to someone at Portillo’s looking to move up?
My biggest advice is be proactive and take ownership of your own development. Opportunities are unlimited, but it’s up to you to step up and own your learning. A few key things to focus on:
· Master your current role: Be great at what you do today. Excellence in your current position is the foundation for the next step.
· Seed Feedback & Act on it: Growth comes from learning. Ask for feedback, be open to coaching and use it to improve.
· Lead without the title: Leadership isn’t about a position – it’s about influence. Take initiative, support your team and demonstrate a solutions-focused mindset.
· Take advantage of Development Opportunities: Programs like Ignite exist to help you grow - learn about opportunities & get involved, but don’t rely solely on formal programs. Helping peers work through a challenge, owning development through LinkedIn courses or other online learning are all great opportunities to fuel your own growth.
· Write an IDP like you WANT to accomplish everything: Seriously, don’t fill it out with great looking words. It’s not a document – it’s a commitment to your future. Own it and check in with yourself regularly on your progress.
Where do see yourself growing in this company?
The opportunities are truly limitless and I’ve always measured my growth and goals by impact rather than title. I see myself continuing to evolve by deepening my leadership and driving innovation in Learning & Development. As Portillo’s grows, so does the opportunity to enhance how we train and develop our teams - leveraging innovative technology and hands-on experiences and new learning methods to evaluate performance. I’m excited to keep expanding my strategic influence, contributing to our company’s growth while supporting & developing the next generation of leaders.