General Manager - Dairy Queen

Dairy Queen (DQ) and Orange Julius (OJ) are iconic quick service restaurant brands recognized for their commitment to providing high-quality products and exceptional customer experiences. Established as leaders in the fast-food industry, these establishments have built a loyal customer base by consistently delivering delicious menu items, friendly service, and welcoming atmospheres. As part of a larger franchise system, the restaurants maintain strict guidelines set by both the franchisor and the owner to ensure consistent quality and service standards across all locations.

The Restaurant Manager position at DQ and OJ is a pivotal role responsible for the overall oversight of restaurant operations. This includes managing financial performance, ensuring effective product production, maintaining inventory, overseeing personnel, driving sales, and implementing marketing strategies. The goal of the role is to create positive memories for all customers who interact with these brands, fostering a great environment for both customers and employees. This leadership position requires a keen focus on operational excellence, business planning, team development, and rigorous adherence to health and safety regulations.

In this role, the Restaurant Manager will strive to meet or exceed customer expectations in quality, service, and atmosphere, thus creating excellent value through outstanding experiences paired with fair pricing. Operational duties include ensuring that all management and crew members are thoroughly trained in brand standards, recipes, food safety, and restaurant practices. The Restaurant Manager will also be responsible for embedding PRIDE systems—representing the core operational standards—into daily routines to set up each shift for success.

Financial management is a key aspect of this job. The manager will monitor profit and loss, analyze costs of goods sold (COGS), maintain inventory, manage labor in alignment with forecasted demand, and enforce cash control procedures. Strategic business planning involves preparing financial forecasts and budgets, regularly reviewing reports for variances, and implementing actions to improve sales and profitability. Marketing efforts coordinated by this role will include local, regional, and national promotions aimed at attracting new customers and increasing visit frequency.

Equally important is delivering outstanding fan service—ensuring customer interactions always meet or surpass company standards. The Restaurant Manager will establish protocols for handling customer complaints and ensure all concerns are promptly resolved to transform dissatisfied customers into loyal fans.

Leadership is central to the role, involving hiring, training, coaching, and developing a skilled and motivated management team and hourly crew. The manager will oversee effective scheduling to meet sales volumes and labor goals and conduct formal performance appraisals. Maintaining a positive work environment that fosters cooperation, morale, productivity, and efficiency is a key responsibility.

Commitment to food safety and health standards is mandatory. This includes the need for ServSafe certification or an approved equivalent. Responsibilities include enforcing proper food handling and sanitation procedures, complying with all local, state, and federal regulations, and preparing the team to respond effectively to emergencies.

Overall, the Restaurant Manager at Dairy Queen and Orange Julius plays an instrumental role in upholding the brands’ reputations, delivering exceptional guest experiences, leading a high-performing team, and ensuring the financial success of the restaurant. This position offers individuals with strong management skills, a passion for customer service, and the ability to operate in a fast-paced environment an opportunity to make a significant impact in a well-established and respected franchise network.