Potbelly logo

Restaurant General Manager

Job Overview

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Employment Type

Full-time
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Compensation

Salary
Range $60,000.00 - $70,000.00
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Work Schedule

Standard Hours
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Benefits

Medical insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Group Life Insurance
Paid Time Off
Retirement Plan
Employee Discounts

Job Description

Potbelly Sandwich Shops is a well-established fast-casual restaurant chain known for its delicious sandwiches and welcoming atmosphere. Founded in 1977 as a small antique store that transformed into a neighborhood sandwich shop, Potbelly has expanded to over 400 locations across the United States. The brand prides itself on delivering good vibes and craveable food, creating a fun, vibrant environment for both customers and employees. Potbelly values positive energy, community involvement, and exceptional customer service, which have contributed to its enduring success and loyal customer base.

The General Manager role at Potbelly offers an exciting opportunity for motivated professionals to lead a dynamic team in one of these inviting shops. This full-time, nonexempt position reports directly to the District Manager and is predominantly field-based within the shop environment. The salary for this role ranges from $60,000 to $70,000, depending on skills and qualifications. As a General Manager, you will be at the heart of operations, responsible for driving the shop’s success by blending strong leadership with operational excellence and outstanding customer care.

In this role, you will act as the primary leader within the Potbelly shop, instilling positive energy daily, building and inspiring your team, and fostering an enjoyable atmosphere for everyone. Your ability to see the big-picture business goals while managing the day-to-day operations is critical. You will coach, develop, and assess employees to elevate performance, control costs, and ensure consistent delivery of high-quality products and services. Key responsibilities include hiring the right people who align with Potbelly’s core values, maintaining clean and safe shop environments, managing customer satisfaction, and actively engaging in community and local marketing efforts to increase sales and brand presence.

Successful candidates will display strong financial literacy, with capabilities to understand P&L statements and control labor and inventory costs. Physical stamina is required due to the demanding nature of the job which involves standing and moving for long durations, lifting light to moderate weights, and enduring a busy, often noisy environment. Moreover, the role requires robust communication skills, a solution-driven mindset, and a commitment to adhering to Potbelly’s operational standards, including mandatory food safety certifications.

Potbelly also offers comprehensive benefits such as medical, dental, and vision insurance alongside group life insurance for eligible employees. This opportunity is ideal for individuals looking to build a rewarding and growth-oriented career in the restaurant industry, especially those who thrive in fast-paced, community-focused settings. Join Potbelly Sandwich Shops and contribute to a company that combines a strong brand heritage with innovative growth strategies and a passionate team culture.

Job Requirements

  • High school degree
  • minimum of 2 years experience as a general manager in a restaurant or retail environment with P&L responsibility
  • open availability
  • completion of food safety certification course
  • ability to stand and walk for 9-10 hours per day
  • ability to lift up to 10 pounds frequently and up to 50 pounds occasionally
  • ability to work 45 hours per week
  • ability to communicate effectively in English
  • strong financial literacy
  • ability to manage a fast-paced, high-volume restaurant
  • strong interpersonal skills
  • ability to multi-task and prioritize
  • proficient in Microsoft Office

Job Qualifications

  • Minimum of at least 2 years as a General Manager in a restaurant or retail environment with P&L responsibility
  • high school degree
  • bachelors degree preferred
  • strong business acumen
  • ability to see big picture
  • ability to manage a fast-paced, high-volume, clean, customer-focused restaurant
  • open availability
  • food safety certification required
  • ability to comprehend and communicate in English
  • must spend 80-90 percent of time on the shop floor
  • financial literacy
  • exceptional customer service skills
  • strong time-management skills
  • strong interpersonal skills
  • strong communication skills
  • ability to delegate, follow-up and hold team accountable
  • ability to create and execute effective plans to build the business
  • ability to set budgets and maintain food and beverage cost
  • ability to follow expectations and guidelines set by Potbelly
  • Microsoft Office skills
  • knows, lives and can teach The Potbelly Advantage
  • adopts the Potbelly Values as personal values
  • excellent communication skills including active listening
  • sustained record of leading teams to success
  • extremely strong work ethic
  • educated and active learner
  • initiative to solve problems and get things done correctly and on time
  • ability to grow other leaders
  • humility and self-confidence
  • knows how and successfully grows sales/business profitably

Job Duties

  • Select and hire great employees who represent Potbelly values
  • train and develop all employees to the next level
  • assess staff abilities
  • create and implement effective development plans
  • create and enforce a plan to reduce turnover
  • delegate tasks to team and provide follow-up
  • hold team accountable
  • build relationships among team members
  • provide effective and open communication on goals during team meetings
  • recognize positive contributions
  • provide timely and thorough performance appraisals based on defined goals and objectives
  • educate team on and enforce all appropriate personnel policies, labor laws, and security and safety procedures
  • administer all in-shop employee benefits and payroll procedures
  • make customers really happy
  • effectively handle customer complaints and issues
  • measure customer satisfaction and execute plan to improve both satisfaction and loyalty
  • maintain a clean and inviting shop
  • ensure cleanliness, maintenance and security standards are met
  • ensure product quality, safety and sanitation standards are met
  • provide fast, friendly and accurate service
  • continuously improve customer feedback program scores
  • increase comp sales and deliver budgeted sales each period
  • create marketing plan and lead local shop marketing to increase sales
  • create shop plan to continuously improve the business
  • control cost of goods, variances and inventories within the shop
  • staff and schedule appropriately to control labor costs
  • ensure proper cash handling and deposit procedures are followed
  • ensure appropriate inventory and ordering systems are in place
  • understand and learn from financial reports
  • increase flow-through

Job Criteria

Experience

Mid Level (3-7 years)


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