Dickey's Barbecue Pit LaGrange — General Manager

Executive Summary

We are seeking an entrepreneurial General Manager with 3 years of management experience in high-volume food service operations to lead the operational turnaround of our flagship Dickey's Barbecue Pit location in LaGrange, Georgia. This is not a standard restaurant manager role—it is a strategic leadership position requiring someone who can build a team from scratch, execute a turnaround plan, establish market presence, and drive the location to profitability in the first 12 months.

The General Manager will be accountable for all aspects of restaurant operations, P&L responsibility, first-line staff development, kitchen operations, and market performance metrics. You will report directly to the Operational Manager and will have direct access to corporate support during the critical stabilization phases. You will work closely with the Catering Coordinator to drive catering revenue as a key growth lever.

Position Overview

About the Opportunity: Dickey's Barbecue Pit has opened a new franchise location in LaGrange and is establishing a foothold in this growing Southeast market. Unlike managing an established restaurant, you will:

• Execute a comprehensive operational plan (increase sales revenue, build community partnerships and relationships, and increase community marketing)
• Hire, train, and embed a team in a new market with no brand awareness
• Establish Dickey's brand presence and culture from day one
• Own kitchen operations: manage smokers, food quality, consistency, and back-of-house team
• Drive revenue growth through targeted marketing, community engagement, operational excellence, and support for catering initiatives
• Meet aggressive profitability targets within 12 months

This role requires strategic thinking, operational expertise, adaptability, resilience, and the ability to motivate teams through ambiguity and challenges. If you thrive in startup environments and are motivated by building something from the ground up, this is your role.

Key ResponsibilitiesStrategic & Business Leadership

• Develop and execute the 90-day operational turnaround plan in collaboration with leadership support, including financial management, marketing, training and partnerships.
• Own the location's P&L, with full accountability for revenue, cost of goods sold, labor, and operating expenses
• Establish and communicate a clear vision for the LaGrange location within Dickey's brand standards, tailored to the local market
• Create a marketing and community engagement strategy to build awareness and drive customer acquisition (social media, local partnerships, launch events, sampling)
• Collaborate with Catering Coordinator to identify and capitalize on catering opportunities; support event execution
• Identify and implement cost-optimization opportunities without compromising quality or customer experience

Leadership & Team Development

• Spearhead hiring and recruitment for all hourly positions; build a culture-fit team before day one
• Lead, inspire, and motivate a diverse team to achieve high performance standards and Dickey's core values (authenticity, quality, family-oriented culture)
• Implement comprehensive onboarding and training programs for all staff levels
• Develop staff through mentoring, coaching, and performance management; establish clear career pathways
• Foster retention by creating a positive, collaborative work environment with competitive compensation and recognition programs
• Address staff challenges (turnover, performance issues, conflict) proactively and professionally

Kitchen Operations & Quality

• Own all kitchen operations: manage smokers, oversee food preparation, and maintain consistent quality and authenticity of all Dickey's signature meats and sides
• Manage manage kitchen equipment, including smokers, prep tables, and food storage systems
• Manage vendor relationships and manage inventory levels (meat, supplies) to optimize cost efficiency without impacting product quality
• Implement and enforce standard operating procedures (SOPs) to maintain consistency in food prep, quality, cleanliness, and safety
• Monitor food costs daily; identify waste and implement improvements

Day-to-Day Operations

• Oversee all restaurant operations, ensuring seamless service delivery and consistent quality across all shifts
• Create staff schedules and monitor labor hours to maintain cost targets while meeting service demands
• Coordinate front- and back-of-house operations; resolve issues quickly
• Monitor performance metrics and dashboards daily; identify and resolve operational bottlenecks

Financial Management

• Develop and manage budgets; analyze financial reports to identify trends and variance from targets
• Drive revenue growth through pricing strategy, upselling, operational efficiency, and support for catering initiatives
• Control operational costs, including COGS, labor, utilities, and waste; continuously identify savings without quality loss
• Ensure compliance with all financial, accounting, and payroll policies; manage daily cash reconciliation
• Provide weekly and monthly P&L updates to Regional Director; flag variances and mitigation plans

Customer Experience & Brand

• Uphold Dickey's reputation for authentic barbecue and exceptional customer service
• Address customer concerns promptly and professionally; implement systems to gather and respond to feedback
• Build local brand awareness and community relationships through events, partnerships, and grassroots marketing
• Manage online reputation (reviews, social media, ratings)

Required Qualifications

• 3 years of management experience in a high-volume food service operation (restaurant, QSR, or franchise preferred)
• Demonstrated P&L ownership; strong understanding of restaurant financials (COGS, labor %, margins)
• Kitchen operations experience; comfort managing cooking operations, food quality, and back-of-house teams
• Proven ability to hire, train, and develop teams; experience building teams from scratch is a significant plus
• Experience with operational metrics, dashboards, and data-driven decision-making
• ServSafe certification (or ability to obtain within 30 days)
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; professional presence
• Comfort with ambiguity and ability to thrive in a startup/launch environment
• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and additional hours during opening phase

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a barbecue, casual dining, or multi-unit franchise environment
• Track record of opening new locations or managing turnaround situations
• Smoker or specialized cooking equipment experience
• Marketing or community engagement experience
• Proficiency with restaurant POS systems and online ordering platforms
• Passion for barbecue, food quality, and Dickey's brand legacy

Compensation & Support

Salary: $40,000 – $50,000 annually, based on experience and track record

Performance Bonus: Up to 20% of base salary based on achieving monthly revenue targets and profitability milestones

Benefits Package:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance options
• Comprehensive operational training program
• Dedicated leadership support (Regional Director, Field Support Manager) during launch and first 12 months
• Professional development and career advancement opportunities
• Employee discounts and meal benefits
• Flexible scheduling (subject to operational needs)

Reporting Structure & Accountability

Reports to: Operational Manager

Frequency: Weekly check-in calls; monthly P&L and performance review; ad hoc support as needed

Works closely with: Catering Coordinator

How to Apply

If you are a strategic, results-oriented General Manager with kitchen operations expertise, ready to lead a franchise turnaround and build something meaningful in LaGrange, we want to hear from you.

Please submit: Resume (including specific P&L and turnaround achievements) Cover letter (explain why you're drawn to this role and what you'd do in the first 30 days) References (2-3 former supervisors or colleagues)To: GA-2243@dickeysfranchise.com

Dickey's Barbecue Pit is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Pay: $40,000.00 - $50,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Paid training
• Relocation assistance

Work Location: In person

Salary : $40,000 - $50,000