General Manager - Restaurant

Chicago, IL, USA|Onsite

Job Overview

Employment Type

Full-time

Compensation

Salary

Range $63,000.00 - $75,000.00

Work Schedule

Flexible

Day Shifts

Night Shifts

Benefits

Dental Insurance

employee discount

flexible schedule

Health Insurance

Paid Time Off

Vision Insurance

Job Description

FARE is a fast casual restaurant concept that is dedicated to transforming the way America eats by offering a seasonally based, nutrition-forward, and deliciously craveable menu. Founded and headquartered in Chicago, FARE emphasizes balancing healthy and indulgent options with food handcrafted from scratch daily at each location. As a growing restaurant brand, FARE is built on the principles of quality, authenticity, and care for both food and people. The establishment prides itself on fostering a culture that values the right way of doing things, with a mission to provide guests with exceptional dining experiences through fresh and thoughtfully prepared meals. FARE is quickly expanding and is keen on attracting leaders who share a passion for real food, hospitality, and creating engaging workplaces.

The role of General Manager at FARE offers an exciting opportunity to lead the opening of a new restaurant location in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago. This full-time, exempt leadership position carries the critical responsibility of managing all aspects of restaurant operations. The General Manager will oversee team leadership, guest experience, financial performance, and operational compliance from day one. This ground-floor role requires building and shaping a new team, establishing high standards, and setting the tone for a positive work culture. The successful candidate will be hands-on, providing direct leadership on the restaurant floor and inspiring teams to perform at their best. Responsibilities include recruiting, hiring, and training staff in alignment with FARE's core values, ensuring thorough preparation for the store opening, and maintaining consistent high-quality food and service standards.

Additional duties include managing daily operations such as food quality control, sanitation, and safety, as well as handling financial aspects like labor costs, payroll, inventory, and compliance audits. The General Manager will also lead menu implementations and adjustments to meet seasonal and operational needs. This role is perfect for someone with a strong background in fast casual restaurant management who is ready to take ownership of a brand-new location and contribute significantly to FARE's expansion and success. Salary for this position ranges from $63,000 to $75,000 annually plus bonuses, with an attractive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision coverage, paid parental and bereavement leave, and employee discounts on food. Training will be conducted at existing FARE locations prior to the new location's opening. FARE is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion and provides reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.

Job Requirements

Ability to work approximately 50 hours per week, including evenings, weekends, and holidays
Ability to stand and walk for up to 10 hours per day
Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs
Ability to work in warm and cool environments and tolerate moderate to high noise levels
Ability to tolerate exposure to common food allergens
Leadership experience of at least one year
General Manager experience preferred
Profit and loss experience for at least two years
Availability to work night and day shifts preferred
Must be able to work in person at the restaurant location

Job Qualifications

Minimum of two years of restaurant General Manager experience or equivalent leadership experience
Experience in fast casual restaurant environments preferred
Experience opening a new restaurant or building a team from scratch is a strong plus
Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills
Passion for real food, hospitality, and team development
Proficient knife skills and ability to learn to operate FARE's store equipment including Unox oven, Robo-coupe, induction burners
Knowledge of food safety, sanitation, and quality standards
Certified Allergen Awareness
Certified Food Service Manager – City of Chicago

Job Duties

Recruit, interview, hire, and onboard a full team aligned with FARE's values and culture in preparation for store opening
Lead pre-opening training and set clear expectations for performance, accountability, and culture
Train, coach, and develop hourly team members to drive consistency and strong execution
Conduct regular performance check-ins and support development planning
Lead daily team meetings to align staff on expectations and priorities
Ensure adherence to all company policies and procedures
Oversee daily restaurant operations to ensure food quality, recipe execution, and guest satisfaction
Maintain high standards of cleanliness, sanitation, safety, and security
Conduct daily food tastings and audits to ensure quality control and brand standards
Execute seasonal menu updates, price changes, and operational procedures
Ensure external and third-party orders are accurately entered and fulfilled
Oversee payroll processes to ensure timely and accurate employee payments
Monitor and manage labor costs, COGS, inventory accuracy, and repairs and maintenance
Ensure operational and compliance audits are successfully met