General Manager - Restaurant

Restaurant General Manager — Operations & Growth

Dickey's Barbecue Pit | Store #2290
Location: 302 Colorado Avenue, La Junta, CO 81050
Position Type: Full-Time, On-Site
Reports To: Ownership
Compensation: Competitive, based on experience and qualifications; disclosed in accordance with Colorado pay-transparency requirements.

Position Overview

Dickey's Barbecue Pit in La Junta, Colorado, is seeking an experienced, dependable, and results-oriented Restaurant General Manager to lead daily operations and support the restaurant's continued growth.

We are looking for a hands-on leader who understands restaurant operations, develops strong employees, maintains high customer service standards, and takes responsibility for the restaurant's financial and operational performance.

The ideal candidate is comfortable working independently while maintaining consistent communication with ownership. This individual must be capable of managing the restaurant's daily needs while contributing to long-term improvements in profitability, employee retention, customer satisfaction, and community engagement.

This is an opportunity for a motivated restaurant professional to help shape the future of a locally operated business with an established national brand.

Key ResponsibilitiesRestaurant Operations

• Oversee daily restaurant operations, including opening and closing procedures, food preparation, cleanliness, customer service, and shift execution.
• Maintain consistent food quality, portion control, presentation, and service standards.
• Ensure compliance with applicable health, safety, sanitation, and food-handling requirements.
• Maintain operational readiness of restaurant equipment and coordinate approved maintenance and repairs.
• Develop staffing coverage that supports reliable restaurant operations and appropriate employee rest periods.
• Identify operational inefficiencies and recommend practical solutions.

Financial Management and Profitability

• Monitor daily and weekly sales performance, labor costs, food costs, waste, and controllable operating expenses.
• Review inventory, ordering, receiving, and product usage to reduce unnecessary costs.
• Prepare accurate operating reports and explain significant variances from established targets.
• Identify opportunities to improve revenue and restaurant profitability.
• Maintain appropriate cash-handling, deposit, purchasing, and financial control procedures.
• Obtain ownership approval for expenditures outside established spending authority.

Employee Leadership and Development

• Lead, train, coach, and evaluate restaurant employees.
• Prepare and maintain employee schedules consistent with business needs and applicable wage-and-hour requirements.
• Develop employees capable of handling additional responsibilities and providing management coverage.
• Address performance concerns professionally and document corrective action when appropriate.
• Recommend hiring, promotions, and disciplinary actions in accordance with ownership-approved procedures.
• Foster a respectful, productive, and accountable workplace.

Communication and Ownership Collaboration

• Maintain consistent, professional communication with ownership.
• Participate in scheduled management meetings, including virtual meetings when appropriate.
• Provide timely updates regarding staffing, sales, customer complaints, maintenance, and operational challenges.
• Communicate concerns constructively and present practical recommendations.
• Implement established business policies, operational priorities, and approved growth initiatives.
• Exercise independent judgment within clearly defined management authority.

Catering, Marketing, and Community Engagement

• Support catering order execution and ensure timely, accurate fulfillment.
• Collaborate with community outreach and digital marketing personnel to coordinate promotions, events, and catering opportunities.
• Provide operational input on promotional feasibility, food costs, staffing needs, and fulfillment capacity.
• Help build relationships with local employers, schools, community organizations, and repeat customers.
• Support approved initiatives intended to increase restaurant traffic and catering revenue.

Required Qualifications

• At least three years of restaurant management or comparable food-service leadership experience preferred.
• Demonstrated experience supervising employees, developing schedules, and managing restaurant operations.
• Working knowledge of food costs, labor costs, inventory control, and basic restaurant financial reporting.
• Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to make sound operational decisions while maintaining accountability to ownership.
• Comfort using point-of-sale systems, scheduling software, email, spreadsheets, and virtual meeting platforms.
• Ability to work on-site in La Junta and maintain flexibility for operational needs.
• Ability to obtain or maintain required food-safety certifications.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience managing a quick-service, fast-casual, barbecue, or high-volume restaurant.
• Experience improving an underperforming restaurant.
• Demonstrated success with employee retention and management development.
• Experience supporting catering operations and local restaurant promotions.
• Familiarity with La Junta, Rocky Ford, and surrounding Arkansas Valley communities.

Performance Expectations

The General Manager will be evaluated on operational execution, financial performance, employee leadership, customer satisfaction, and collaboration with ownership.

Specific performance goals will be established using the restaurant's actual operating data and available resources.

The successful candidate will be expected to demonstrate consistent progress toward:

• Reliable staffing and restaurant coverage.
• Improved labor and food-cost management.
• Reduced waste and inventory discrepancies.
• Accurate and timely reporting.
• Strong employee training and retention.
• Positive customer experiences.
• Effective coordination of catering and community growth initiatives.
• Professional and dependable communication with ownership.

Schedule and Working Conditions

This is a full-time, on-site leadership position requiring flexibility to support restaurant operations, including some evenings and weekends.

The schedule will be established in coordination with ownership, with appropriate staffing coverage and reasonable time off.

The position involves standing, walking, working in a commercial kitchen environment, and performing essential restaurant management duties, with reasonable accommodations as required by law.

Why Join Us?

Dickey's Barbecue Pit in La Junta is entering a new phase of operational improvement and community growth.

We are seeking a leader who wants to make a meaningful impact, develop a strong restaurant team, and contribute to building a financially successful business.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to help establish operating standards, strengthen community relationships, and play a central role in the restaurant's future.

Pay: $40,800.00 - $50,600.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person

Salary : $40,800 - $50,600