General Manager -- Fine Dining Italian Restaurant

Opportunity Overview

An established, independently owned fine dining Italian restaurant is seeking a polished, hands-on General Manager to lead the day-to-day operation of a high-volume, highly regarded dining destination.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced hospitality leader who understands the nuances of Italian cuisine, wine, elevated service, and owner-operated restaurants. The ideal candidate will bring strong leadership presence, operational discipline, and a genuine passion for creating exceptional guest experiences.

For the right individual, there may be an opportunity to explore an equity or ownership path over time.

About the Restaurant

• Fine dining Italian concept with a strong culinary reputation
• Approximately 110 dining seats plus 20 bar seats
• Approximately $3M in annual revenue
• Dinner-focused operation
• Busy nights can reach 200 covers
• Approximately 40 employees
• House-made pasta and authentic Italian culinary offerings
• Italian Executive Chef leading the culinary program
• Toast and R365 technology platforms
• Live music and/or DJ programming most evenings following dinner service
• Established clientele with a strong emphasis on hospitality, food, wine, and overall experience

Key Responsibilities

• Take ownership of the restaurant's daily front-of-house and overall operational performance.
• Lead and develop a team of approximately 40 employees while creating a positive, accountable, and hospitality-driven culture.
• Partner closely with the ownership team and Executive Chef to ensure seamless restaurant operations.
• Maintain exceptional standards for guest service, hospitality, food quality, beverage execution, and overall presentation.
• Oversee staffing, scheduling, training, performance management, and team development.
• Drive sales, profitability, labor management, and operational efficiency.
• Monitor restaurant financial performance, including labor, food and beverage costs, and controllable expenses.
• Maintain strong relationships with guests and develop a loyal repeat customer base.
• Ensure proper execution of dinner service during both high-volume and slower periods.
• Oversee wine and beverage service and ensure the team delivers a knowledgeable, elevated experience.
• Coordinate effectively with the culinary team to maintain consistency and service standards.
• Manage live entertainment and late-night service while maintaining the restaurant's upscale atmosphere.
• Utilize Toast and R365 to monitor operations, reporting, scheduling, and financial performance.
• Maintain compliance with health, safety, sanitation, and company standards.
• Work directly with ownership on operational improvements, business strategy, and long-term growth.
• Serve as the primary operational leader and culture-setter for the restaurant.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is a polished, entrepreneurial, and hands-on General Manager who thrives in an independently owned restaurant environment.

Must-Have Experience

• Proven General Manager or senior restaurant leadership experience in fine dining or upscale full-service restaurants.
• Strong experience with Italian cuisine and/or Italian restaurant operations.
• Solid knowledge of Italian food and wine.
• Demonstrated ability to lead a high-performing service team in a sophisticated dining environment.
• Experience managing approximately $3M in annual restaurant revenue is strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding of restaurant P&L, labor, food cost, inventory, and profitability.
• Experience working directly with restaurant owners is highly desirable.
• Strong wine knowledge and the ability to confidently lead an elevated beverage program.
• Hands-on leadership style with the ability to work alongside the team during service.
• Excellent communication, organization, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to create and maintain a strong restaurant culture.
• Experience with Toast and/or R365 is a plus.

Leadership Style

This is not a step-back-from-the-floor GM position. The right candidate will be highly visible and actively involved in the operation.

The ideal leader will:

• Lead from the floor and be present during service.
• Build genuine relationships with guests and employees.
• Hold the team accountable while maintaining a positive culture.
• Be comfortable working closely with hands-on ownership.
• Have an entrepreneurial mindset and think beyond simply managing the day-to-day.
• Bring the maturity and polish necessary to represent a sophisticated fine dining brand.

Long-Term Opportunity

The ownership team is looking for someone who can become a true long-term partner in the business.

While the immediate responsibility is to lead the restaurant's daily operations, the right individual may have the opportunity to explore an equity/ownership path down the road based on performance, cultural fit, and mutual interest.

Relocation

Relocation assistance/consideration available for the right candidate.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Italian fine dining operator who wants to take ownership of a restaurant's performance and potentially build toward a long-term equity opportunity.

The Restaurant Zone is a leading hospitality recruitment agency specializing in connecting top-tier talent with restaurants, hotels, and hospitality groups across the United States. We partner with growing brands and established operators to deliver high-quality candidates for management, executive, and specialized roles. Our team combines industry expertise, a vast candidate network, and a results-driven approach to help businesses build strong, reliable teams. At The Restaurant Zone, we focus on speed, quality, and long-term fit—ensuring both clients and candidates succeed.