General Manager - Restaurant

Wicked Cantina is a well-established Tex-Mex restaurant chain that has been serving Florida's Gulf Coast since 2014. Starting as a single restaurant on Anna Maria Island, the company has expanded with additional successful locations in Sarasota and St. Petersburg. Wicked Cantina prides itself on delivering authentic Tex-Mex cuisine with scratch-made recipes and a strong commitment to hospitality. The company values high standards, teamwork, and operational excellence, making it one of the most reputable dining destinations in the region. Known for its engaging work culture and support for its leaders, Wicked Cantina invests heavily in its team to ensure long-term success and growth.

The General Manager role at Wicked Cantina's St. Petersburg location is a unique and exciting opportunity designed specifically for a candidate who thrives in turnaround situations. This role offers an exceptional base salary of $65,000 per year along with paid health insurance through Florida Blue, alongside other comprehensive benefits including paid vacation, dental, and vision insurance. The position operates on a capped 50-hour workweek with the location closed every Monday, providing a balanced work-life experience uncommon in the restaurant industry.

This role is not just another restaurant management position; it is a leadership challenge where the new General Manager will take ownership of a currently underperforming store and steer it toward sustainable success using established systems that have already proven effective at Wicked Cantina's other locations. The ideal candidate will make a tangible difference by diagnosing operational issues, executing well-developed recipes precisely as intended, enforcing existing policies and procedures, and cultivating a motivated, high-performing team.

Candidates who succeed in this role will benefit from a high degree of autonomy and support, with resources in place to help them focus primarily on labor management, food costs, and sales growth without the added pressure of maintenance and repair responsibility. Beyond financial metrics, the General Manager will actively engage with employees on the floor daily, embodying leadership through presence and action — not just management from the office. This person will also be expected to set and maintain uncompromising standards for service, quality, and hospitality, thereby creating a welcoming atmosphere that keeps guests returning.

Training is provided extensively, with four to six weeks spent across the company’s flagship locations in Anna Maria Island and Sarasota to deeply familiarize the new General Manager with Wicked Cantina’s operations, culture, and culinary approach. All travel expenses for this training are covered by the company.

Wicked Cantina is looking for someone who respects the existing successful frameworks rather than seeking to overhaul them. The right candidate sees the established system not as a limit but as a foundation to amplify their leadership skills in team building, problem-solving, and business growth. Integrity, honesty, and dedication to craft hospitality are core qualities sought in applicants. This is a rare opportunity to lead a restaurant with strong backing and a clear vision for excellence while enjoying a supportive, respectful work environment that protects the wellbeing of its leaders.

In summary, Wicked Cantina offers a rewarding career opportunity for a General Manager who is passionate about turning around a restaurant, growing a team, and upholding high standards in a thriving Tex-Mex restaurant known for its quality and community presence. If you possess a strong leadership mindset and a desire to build a winning team, this role will allow you to make a significant impact while enjoying excellent benefits, reasonable work hours, and a supportive company culture. Interested candidates should apply directly through Wicked Cantina's official website to be considered for this in-person position in St. Petersburg, FL.