General Manager

Position Summary

We are seeking an energetic, results-driven General Manager to lead the successful opening and ongoing operation of a new fast-casual restaurant in Fayetteville, NC. This individual will play a critical role in building the restaurant from the ground up, including hiring and developing the team, establishing operational excellence, driving sales growth, and creating an outstanding guest experience.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on leader with a passion for hospitality, strong business acumen, and a proven track record of leading high-volume restaurant operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all aspects of the restaurant's grand opening, including team recruitment, training, operational setup, and execution.
• Hire, train, coach, and develop management and hourly team members.
• Create a positive, guest-focused culture that promotes teamwork, accountability, and excellence.
• Drive sales growth through exceptional guest service, local community involvement, and operational execution.
• Manage daily restaurant operations, ensuring consistent food quality, cleanliness, and service standards.
• Monitor and analyze financial performance, including sales, labor, food costs, and profitability.
• Develop schedules that balance guest service needs with labor cost objectives.
• Ensure compliance with all company policies, food safety standards, and health department regulations.
• Oversee inventory management, purchasing, and vendor relationships.
• Maintain excellent standards of appearance, organization, and facility maintenance.
• Resolve guest concerns professionally and ensure a memorable dining experience.
• Execute marketing initiatives, promotions, and local store events.
• Review profit and loss statements and implement action plans to achieve financial goals.
• Build a strong bench of future leaders through training and succession planning.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3-5 years of restaurant management experience with at least 2 years in a General Manager role.
• Experience opening new restaurant locations strongly preferred.
• Strong leadership, coaching, and team-building skills.
• Demonstrated success managing labor, food costs, and overall restaurant profitability.
• Experience recruiting, hiring, and retaining high-performing teams.
• Knowledge of inventory management, scheduling, and restaurant financials.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment while maintaining high standards.
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• ServSafe Certification or ability to obtain certification.

Preferred Experience

• Fast-casual or quick-service restaurant management experience.
• Multi-unit leadership exposure is a plus.
• Experience managing high-volume operations exceeding $2 million in annual sales.
• Strong community engagement and local marketing experience.

What Success Looks Like

• A smooth and successful restaurant opening.
• Strong guest satisfaction scores and positive community reputation.
• Achievement of sales, profitability, and labor goals.
• High employee retention and engagement.
• Consistent operational excellence and food quality standards.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive base salary
• Performance-based bonus program
• Health, dental, and vision benefits
• Paid time off
• Leadership development and career growth opportunities
• Employee meal and dining discounts

This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated restaurant leader to build a team, establish a culture, and make an immediate impact in launching a new location in the Fayetteville market.

Gecko Hospitality, named to Forbes list of America’s Best Recruiting Firms, offers the largest selection of restaurants, catering, grocery store, corporate dining, senior living, healthcare foodservice, K-12 foodservice, and higher education foodservice positions. Our hospitality-exclusive team covers all 50 states and Canada and offers professional placement services with over 120 dedicated hospitality experts.

With Gecko's extensive list of hospitality recruiter services, we get you and your resume in front of the hospitality industry's leading decision-makers! Better yet, Gecko has exceptional national, regional, and local relationships and is well respected in the hospitality industry for enhancing hospitality careers.

Our national network consists of 80 regional offices driven to meet the needs of the hospitality industry. From fast food to fine dining and grocery stores to senior living, Gecko recruits chef and management positions for all facets of the hospitality industry. Gecko boasts generations of hospitality recruiting experience, consisting of over 1,900 collective years, that furthers the careers of those seeking professional management positions. Contact us today and we will get you in touch with one of our experts to discuss your opportunities.