Restaurant Manager (Washington DC)

Nando's North America is a vibrant and internationally celebrated fast casual restaurant known for its unique flame-grilled peri-peri chicken and inviting atmosphere. As a part of a global brand with roots in South Africa, Nando's combines exceptional food with a warm, family-like environment that fosters community and inclusiveness. The company prioritizes sustainability, community impact, and creating a workplace where every employee can thrive. Nando's North America emphasizes equality, diversity, and respect, ensuring equal employment opportunities across all levels of the organization, rejecting any form of discrimination or harassment. The company is committed to delivering a consistent guest experience marked by hospitality, high quality, and cultural vibrancy across its locations.

The role of Restaurant Manager at Nando's North America is pivotal to maintaining the seamless operation and engaging environment that defines the guest experience. This position is a full-time leadership role that requires a dynamic individual capable of managing both the front and back of house operations with finesse. The Restaurant Manager acts as the leader of leaders on shift, ensuring that the restaurant is fully prepared for peak periods, standards are rigorously upheld, and transitions between shifts are smooth and effective.

The Restaurant Manager is the heart of the operation on any shift, setting the tone for service by leading from the floor and engaging with the team and guests directly. They are responsible for coaching team members in real-time, fostering a culture of excellence, and consistently delivering on Nando's promise of warmth and hospitality. This role demands a high level of operational knowledge and people management skills, encompassing staff scheduling, roster execution, onboarding, employee relations, financial processes, health and safety compliance, and stock management.

Operational responsibilities include managing cash and security protocols, overseeing restaurant cleanliness and maintenance, and ensuring food safety and compliance are met without exception. The position also involves the critical task of leading daily operational rhythms — opening procedures, shift changeovers, and closing routines — all aimed at maintaining the high standards synonymous with the Nando's brand.

An integral aspect of the Restaurant Manager's role is cultivating a motivated and inclusive workplace where all team members feel valued and empowered. This leadership is expressed through the embodiment of Nando's core values: Pride, Passion, Courage, Integrity, and Family. The manager contributes to talent development by supporting recruitment, onboarding, training, and cross-training of staff, with a particular focus on preparing future shift leads.

Commercial leadership is another key element of this role, where the Restaurant Manager drives sustainable sales growth by connecting the team to daily and weekly targets, applying approved local marketing tactics, and optimizing profitability through effective portion control and waste reduction. They are expected to use business insights and operational data to make swift, informed decisions that align with company strategies.

This position also entails engaging with Nando's community and environmental initiatives, including supporting recycling and energy conservation efforts, and participating in local food donation programs. The Restaurant Manager's influence extends beyond operational tasks to shaping the overall guest experience, maintaining atmosphere, quality, and speed, and resolving guest issues with empathy and professionalism.

Candidates for this position should bring at least 2-3 years of restaurant management experience, ideally within fast casual, quick service, or full-service settings. They must demonstrate a proven ability to lead full shifts, manage key performance indicators, and nurture team development. Essential certifications such as ServSafe Manager, allergen handling, and alcohol service are required to ensure compliance and uphold brand standards.

In summary, the Restaurant Manager at Nando's North America is central to both operational excellence and team culture. This role is ideal for a passionate leader dedicated to delivering exceptional dining experiences while growing and developing a diverse team in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.