Restaurant General Manager

Potbelly Sandwich Shops is hiring a General Manager. This is a full-time, nonexempt position located in-store with rare travel, reporting to the District Manager. Potbelly offers comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits along with group life insurance for eligible salaried and hourly employees.

The GM is the leader of the Potbelly shop. The role requires bringing positive energy each day to build and inspire the team and to create a fun environment for customers. The GM should be able to see the big picture of running the business, coach and develop people, execute outstanding product quality and customer service, and manage sales and costs for each shift.

In addition to following standard Potbelly operating policies and procedures, focus areas include:

• People
  • Select and hire great employees; train and develop staff to the next level.
  • Assess staff abilities and create development plans; reduce turnover.
  • Delegate tasks, hold team accountable, and communicate goals in team meetings.
  • Provide timely performance appraisals and enforce personnel policies, labor laws, safety procedures.
  • Administer in-shop employee benefits and payroll procedures.
• Customers
  • Make customers happy; handle complaints effectively; improve customer satisfaction and loyalty.
  • Maintain a clean, inviting shop; ensure cleanliness, maintenance, security standards; ensure product quality and safety standards.
  • Provide fast, friendly, accurate service; improve customer feedback scores.
• Sales
  • Increase comp sales and deliver budgeted sales; lead local shop marketing to boost sales.
  • Develop and execute a shop plan to continuously improve the business; GM involvement in local community is encouraged.
• Profits
  • Control costs of goods, variances, inventories; manage labor costs; ensure proper cash handling.
  • Maintain appropriate inventory and ordering systems; demonstrate financial literacy and ability to analyze financial reports.
  • Seek ways to increase flow-through and profitability.
• Essential Physical Functions
  • Ability to work a minimum of 45 hours per week; stand/walk 9-10 hours per day.
  • Frequent mobility for periods up to five hours; lift up to 50 pounds occasionally.
  • Work indoors and outdoors as needed; tolerate higher noise levels and potential allergens.
• Experience, Education and Behaviors
  • Minimum of 2 years as a General Manager in a restaurant or retail environment with P&L responsibility; restaurant experience preferred.
  • High School degree;
    Bachelor’s degree preferred.
  • Strong business acumen, ability to see the “Big Picture,” and experience leading teams to success.
  • Excellent communication, active listening, and problem-solving skills; ability to grow other leaders with humility and confidence.
  • Open availability; ability to manage a fast-paced, high-volume, customer-focused environment.
  • Food safety certification required (Illinois: IDPH; other states: Serv Safe, NRFSP, or Prometric). If the certification is not obtained after two attempts, the candidate cannot continue in a leadership role.
  • Proficient in English (verbal and written); spend 80-90% of time on the shop floor in Front of House; strong financial literacy; ability to read financial reports.
  • Exceptional customer service, time management, multi-tasking, and delegation skills.
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office.

You are applying to work with a franchisee of Potbelly Corporate. If hired, the franchisee will be your only employer. Franchisees are independent business owners who set their own terms of employment, including wage and benefit programs, which can vary between franchisees.

• Mid-Senior level

• Full-time

• Management and Manufacturing

• Restaurants