Also called: GM
What a restaurant general manager does
General managers own the results of a restaurant. They set the tone for service, build and develop the management team, and are accountable for sales, labor, food cost, and profit. They hire and train staff, manage vendor relationships, maintain compliance with health, labor, and alcohol rules, and drive local marketing and guest loyalty. A strong GM is visible during service, proactive about problems, and clear in communication with the owner. It is a high-responsibility role that blends hospitality, leadership, and financial discipline.
Pay snapshot: the BLS reports a national median of $33.36/hr for food service managers, and $44.55/hr in the Boston metro. See the full salary breakdown.
Responsibilities
- Lead the overall operation, including front of house, kitchen, and bar
- Own the restaurant's profit and loss, including budgeting and forecasting
- Build and develop the management team and key hourly staff
- Set service, quality, and cleanliness standards and enforce them
- Manage labor, food, and beverage costs against targets
- Oversee hiring, onboarding, training, and performance reviews
- Handle vendor negotiations, ordering, and inventory control
- Maintain compliance with health, labor, safety, and alcohol laws
- Drive local marketing, community outreach, and guest loyalty
- Report results and issues to the owner, partners, or regional director
Requirements
- Multiple years of restaurant management experience required
- Proven record of managing a budget and improving results
- Food protection manager certification where required by local law
- Strong leadership, coaching, and communication skills
- Comfort with financial reports, POS data, and scheduling systems
- Willingness to work nights, weekends, and holidays as needed
Skills
- Profit and loss ownership
- Leadership and team development
- Cost control
- Hiring and training
- Guest experience management
- Vendor and inventory management
- Compliance and risk management
Schedule
General managers typically work a salaried schedule of five or more days per week with long hours, balancing office time with shifts on the floor, including weekends and holidays.
Restaurant General Manager job posting template
Copy this, replace the bracketed parts, and post it.
General Manager at [Restaurant Name], [City] About us [Restaurant Name] is a [concept] in [City] serving [signature offering]. We are searching for a General Manager who treats the restaurant like a business and the team like family. What you will do - Lead daily operations and the management team - Own sales, labor, food cost, and profit goals - Hire, train, and develop team members - Maintain high standards for service, safety, and cleanliness - Build community relationships and guest loyalty What we are looking for - Proven restaurant management experience - Strong financial and operational skills - Calm, decisive leadership - Food protection manager certification where required in [State] - Flexibility for evenings, weekends, and holidays Pay and perks [$XX-$XX/yr] plus performance bonus, health benefits, paid time off, and growth opportunities. Shifts [Shift], including weekends as business needs require. How to apply Send your resume and a short note about your experience to [Email/Link], or contact [Owner Name] at [Phone].
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