Restaurant Manager

Hands-on. High-standards. Customer-obsessed. No desk jockeys.

Smoque BBQ is hiring a Restaurant Manager with a focus on Front of House to help lead day-to-day operations at one of Chicago’s busiest and most respected BBQ joints. This is a full-time, in-the-weeds management role for someone who’s just as comfortable on the line or at the register as they are handling scheduling, coaching, and reviewing P&Ls.

We need someone who can lead by example , keep the team motivated, and hold the standards high — especially when we’re slammed. Someone who can spot a problem before it becomes one, step in without drama, and get things back on track.

If you’re the kind of person who runs toward the action , thrives on structure, and genuinely gives a damn about people — customers and employees alike — we want to meet you.

• Be on the floor, in the kitchen, and at the counter — wherever the team needs support

• Train, coach, and develop FOH and BOH staff with a focus on long-term growth

• Deliver great guest experiences and handle issues with clarity and care

• Create and manage staff schedules to meet both labor targets and operational needs

• Lead performance reviews and coaching conversations

• Track and manage labor, COGS, waste, and other key metrics

• Ensure compliance with food safety, health, and sanitation standards

• Collaborate with ownership on business planning, improvements, and growth

• 3+ years of restaurant management experience (fast casual or full service)

• Experience working both FOH and BOH — and willing to jump into either

• Strong leadership and people management skills — not just telling people what to do, but making them want to do it

• Excellent customer service instincts and the ability to defuse problems gracefully

• Highly organized with solid time management and follow-through

• Financial understanding of COGS, labor, and general P&L performance

• ServSafe Manager Certification (or willingness to get it)

• Bilingual in Spanish is a plus

• A stable, full-time role in a respected, high-volume restaurant

• Supportive ownership that values strong managers and gives them room to lead

• Competitive salary based on experience

• Paid time off, benefits, and opportunities for growth

• A culture that’s serious about food, people, and getting better every day

Sound like your kind of leadership role? Apply now and let’s talk.