Area Manager

Position Title

Department

Reports to

AREA MANAGER (AM)

Support Center

Regional/Director

Employment Status

FLSA Status

Effective Date

☐ Temporary ☒ Full-Time ☐ Part-Time

☐Non-Exempt ☒ Exempt

• Own the combined people, guest hospitality, operational, food & beverage, safety, sales, and profit results for the assigned restaurants.
• Translate company priorities into clear area goals, restaurant expectations, operating rhythms, and measurable action plans.
• Review restaurant P&Ls, forecasts, labor, cost of goods, sales trends, guest feedback, audits, and other key performance indicators; Create & execute plan to resolve when results are off track.
• Conduct purposeful restaurant visits that assess leadership effectiveness, food, beverage, and guest hospitality standards, culture, and execution—not only task completion.
• Prioritize resources and follow-through based on business need, performance opportunity, and the specific needs of each restaurant.

• Set clear expectations for each General Manager and maintain a consistent cadence of one-on-ones, restaurant visits, performance reviews/audits, and development conversations.
• Coach GMs to diagnose root causes, build solutions through their teams, and take ownership for restaurant results.
• Provide direct, timely feedback; recognize and celebrate strong performance; and address missed commitments or leadership gaps with appropriate urgency.
• Create written development, succession, and performance action plans when needed, in partnership with the Regional Director, and Human Resources.
• Build a strong, diverse 4- wall leadership bench with HR support through recruiting, retention, delegation, and internal development.

• Define the support priorities, boundaries, and expected outcomes for each SMG assignment.
• Review coaching activity, supported-restaurant progress, and home-restaurant stability on a regular cadence.
• Delegate appropriate market initiatives, development assignments, and short-term coverage while maintaining clear accountability.
• Coach SMGs on influencing peers, leading beyond one restaurant, escalating business needs, and preparing for future multi-unit responsibility.
• Ensure the SMG role adds capacity without creating unclear reporting lines or transferring formal GM accountability.

• Maintain succession plans and readiness assessments for General Managers and key restaurant leaders.
• Support GM selection, onboarding, transitions, and leadership coverage for vacancies or leaves.
• Partner on new-restaurant openings, area expansion, and integration of new leaders as the company grows.
• Lead or sponsor cross-functional initiatives involving Operations, Culinary, Training, Human Resources, Marketing, Finance, Procurement, and other support teams.
• Identify recurring market area barriers and recommend scalable solutions that strengthen the broader organization.

• Provide the Regional/Director with clear, concise updates on performance, talent, business needs/rick, and required decisions.
• Surface significant employee relations, food-safety, compliance, financial, or other concerns promptly through the appropriate channels.
• Create alignment across restaurants by communicating decisions consistently and explaining the business reasons behind priorities.
• Model collaboration, respectful leadership, confidentiality, reward & celebration, and company values in every interaction.

Area Manager owns

Regional / Director / HR approval or partnership

Area priorities, operating cadence, restaurant visits, and routine follow-up within company direction

Changes to company strategy, territory design, or organizational structure

Formal GM coaching, performance feedback, evaluations, goals, and action plans

Final GM compensation, promotion, disciplinary, and termination decisions

Routine operating, maintenance, and coverage decisions within policy and approved budgets

Major capital spending, material exceptions, or commitments outside approved authority

Recommendations on GM selection, succession, hiring, and resource allocation

Significant employee relations, legal, compliance, or accommodation matters

Ultimate accountability for results across every restaurant in the assigned area

Business decisions that materially affect other areas or functions

• Passion for hospitality and creating a place where people are proud to work.

• A compassionate, steady leader who truly cares about their team
• Someone who leads by example — no role is “above” any task
• Ability to lead with both heart and structure

• Sustained success as a General Manager or comparable restaurant operations leader, with strong people, guest hospitality, operational, safety, and financial results.
• Demonstrated ability to develop leaders, build succession depth, improve performance, and hold others accountable through direct feedback.
• Strong knowledge of restaurant financials, including sales, labor, P L., cost of goods, controllable expenses, forecasting, and profit drivers.
• Sound judgment in food safety, compliance, employee relations, and respectful-workplace leadership.
• Ability to influence across locations, prioritize competing needs, and lead effectively through ambiguity and change.
• Strong written, verbal, and presentation communication skills, with disciplined follow-through.
• Ability and willingness to travel regularly among assigned restaurants and adjust schedule to meet business needs. Potential travel outside of area if business needs (NRO support, intermittent coverage)
• For internal GM candidates, a credible transition and succession plan for the current restaurant.

• Previous multi-unit, market-support, new-opening, or cross-functional leadership experience.
• Documented examples of improving results through other leaders rather than direct personal intervention.
• Experience recruiting, selecting, onboarding, and developing General Managers or comparable senior restaurant leaders.