General Manager

Join to apply for the General Manager role at Potbelly Sandwich Works
.

Salary: $60,000 - $65,000 base salary range with bonus potential.

• Competitive pay with performance-based annual raises!
• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
• Domestic Partnership Benefits
• Paid Parental Leave
• FSA and HSA with Employer Contribution
• Commuter Benefit Program
• Retirement Savings 401(k) with company match
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Time Off
• Discount Program
• Flexible Work Schedule
• Career growth opportunities

• You want to delight customers with great food and good vibes.
• You are friendly and customer service oriented.
• You have strong written and verbal communication skills.
• You love working in a fast-paced environment.
• You’re a team player.
• You enjoy problem-solving.
• You have open availability.
• You can maintain deadlines and prioritize while running an effective shift.
• You have strong organizational skills and the ability to multitask.
• You can handle the heat of the kitchen – knife skills are a plus.
• You enjoy higher levels of noise from music, customer and employee traffic.
• You can manage potential allergens: peanut products, egg, dairy, gluten, soy, seafood and shellfish.
• You are able to build and develop strong teams and handle conflict resolution.
• You have strong interviewing skills.
• You’re able to write effective schedules and maintain labor goals.
• You have Microsoft Office skills.
• You have strong business acumen.
• You have the ability to understand and interpret financial reports.
• Minimum of at least 2 years as a General Manager in a restaurant or retail environment with P&L responsibility preferred.
• You stand/walk for 8-9 hours or as needed.
• You can work a minimum of 45 hours per week.
• You can lift up to 10 pounds frequently and up to 50 pounds occasionally.
• Illinois Applicants: all IL employees are required to become food safety certified within 30 days of employment.

• Train, coach, and develop all shop team members to realize their potential.
• Assess staff abilities and create and implement effective development plans.
• Interview, select and hire great people who represent Potbelly Values.
• Develop and maintain Good Vibes culture that fosters strong attraction & retention.
• Effectively schedule Associates, Certified Trainers and Shift Leaders.
• Update communication board with critical shop information.
• Hold regular meetings with key shop staff.
• Effectively delegate tasks to team and ensure a high standard of execution.
• Ensure all security procedures are followed.
• Ensure back-of-the-house procedural standards are met.
• Count drawers and follow proper daily cash handling procedures.
• Effectively drive neighborhood shop marketing and promotions to maximize sales potential.
• Control cost of goods, variances and inventories within the shop.
• Create a marketing plan and lead local shop marketing to increase sales.
• Control assigned P&L line items.
• Spend 80-90% of time on the shop floor in the Front of the House.
• Maintain deadlines and prioritize while running an effective shift.
• Comply with health and safety standards for food, cleanliness and safety.
• Effectively handle customer complaints/issues.
• Other duties as assigned.

All Shift Leaders and Managers must be trained and pass a Food Safety Certification course. In Illinois, certification is required through the Illinois Department of Public Health, while in all other states certification is required through the National Restaurant Association (Serv Safe), National Registry of Food Safety Professionals or the National Environmental Health Association (Prometric). Should the Shift Leader or Manager fail to pass the certification requirements after two attempts, they will not be qualified to continue to perform in a Shift Leader or Management capacity.

At Potbelly, we are committed to creating a welcoming and respectful environment where individuals are valued for their unique perspectives, backgrounds, and strengths. We believe that inclusion, collaboration, and mutual respect enhance the way we serve our customers and work together as a team. All employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business need.

We’re an equal opportunity employer. Each applicant will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state or local law.

Final date to receive applications:
Applications must be submitted by 2/1/2026 to be considered for this position. The posting may close earlier if a suitable candidate is selected before the deadline.

Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Potbelly Sandwich Works by 2x.

Apply BELOW