General Manager

About D.L. Mack’s

D.L. Mack’s is a Chicago-inspired American tavern from Vandelay Companies that blends timeless comfort food, handcrafted cocktails, and genuine hospitality in a warm, inviting setting. Inspired by the character of classic neighborhood taverns and old-world post-Prohibition gathering places, D.L. Mack’s delivers an elevated yet approachable dining experience where quality ingredients, attentive service, and a welcoming atmosphere come together to create a place guests are proud to call their neighborhood favorite.

About D.L. Mack’s

D.L. Mack’s is a Chicago-inspired American tavern from Vandelay Companies that blends timeless comfort food, handcrafted cocktails, and genuine hospitality in a warm, inviting setting. Inspired by the character of classic neighborhood taverns and old-world post-Prohibition gathering places, D.L. Mack’s delivers an elevated yet approachable dining experience where quality ingredients, attentive service, and a welcoming atmosphere come together to create a place guests are proud to call their neighborhood favorite. Known for its signature Chicago tavern-style pizzas, classic American cuisine, handcrafted cocktails, and welcoming neighborhood atmosphere, D.L. Mack’s is a destination for everything from family dinners and celebrations to happy hours and casual nights out. Every detail, from the chef-driven menu and thoughtfully curated beverage program to the timeless design and energetic dining room, reflects Vandelay’s commitment to creating memorable guest experiences built on quality, craftsmanship, and authentic hospitality.

At D.L. Mack’s, hospitality is about more than serving exceptional food. It is about creating genuine connections and making every guest feel like a regular. Our team members are passionate about anticipating guest needs, delivering polished yet approachable service, and creating an experience that is welcoming, memorable, and distinctly Vandelay.

About The Opportunity

As a General Manager with D.L. Mack’s, you’ll play a pivotal role in bringing our vision to life each day. This is more than a leadership position, it’s an opportunity to shape culture, inspire excellence, and create memorable dining experiences rooted in exceptional food, genuine hospitality, and neighborhood charm. You’ll lead a high-performing team with purpose and authenticity, oversee daily operations with precision, and uphold the elevated standards that define D.L. Mack’s.

We’re seeking a General Manager with a strong culinary background. The ideal candidate has previous experience as an Executive Chef or Kitchen Manager and has successfully transitioned into restaurant operations leadership, or brings significant experience leading both the front and back of house. This leader understands the importance of culinary excellence, kitchen culture, and operational execution, and is passionate about creating an exceptional guest experience from the kitchen to the dining room.

What truly distinguishes Vandelay is our dedication to growth for both our company and our people. We are expanding across markets nationwide, creating meaningful pathways for advancement and development at every level. Many of our current senior leaders started as General Managers. We’re intentional about developing talent from within, and GMs who excel have clear visibility into Director and multi-unit leadership opportunities. Our General Managers are given the tools, mentorship, and visibility to build long-term careers within an organization that rewards initiative, performance, and a passion for the craft of hospitality.

Core Responsibilities

• Lead, inspire, and develop a high-performing team that embodies Vandelay’s culture, values, and standards of exceptional hospitality.
• Create memorable dining experiences by exceeding guest expectations and demonstrating a genuine love for the art of hospitality.
• Foster a high-energy, service-oriented environment, modeling Vandelay’s standards of excellence and motivating your team to uphold them.
• Respond to guest concerns (both written and verbal) with professionalism, creativity, and a solutions-focused mindset.
• Oversee all daily operations with precision, ensuring seamless service, polished execution, and a consistently elevated guest experience.
• Drive financial performance by developing accurate forecasts and budgets, monitoring key metrics, and achieving labor, COGS, and profitability goals.
• Analyze monthly P&L statements, clearly articulate fluctuations, and present action plans during leadership meetings.
• Recruit, train, mentor, and retain exceptional talent, maintaining accurate training records and leading effective orientations that reinforce Vandelay culture and expectations.
• Build a strong leadership bench by coaching managers and supporting ongoing growth, development, and succession planning.
• Create and execute initiatives that increase sales, profitability, and guest check average through community engagement and smart business strategies.
• Uphold rigorous operational standards across service, culinary execution, sanitation, cleanliness, safety, and regulatory compliance.
• Ensure all food and beverage products are consistently prepared and served according to Vandelay’s recipes, portioning, and presentation standards.
• Oversee accurate purchasing, correct invoicing, and proper storage and rotation of all products to ensure freshness, quality, and cost control.
• Maintain the aesthetic and physical upkeep of the restaurant, both inside and outside, ensuring a polished and inviting environment.
• Ensure all restaurant paperwork (including daily reports, payroll, purchase orders, and HR documentation) is completed accurately and on time.
• Identify and respond to safety hazards promptly, ensuring a safe working environment and adherence to all local, state, and federal regulations.
• Lead weekly manager meetings and participate in scheduled GM meetings to communicate updates, align on goals, and strengthen team cohesion.
• Use guest feedback and reviews to drive continuous improvement, implementing action-based strategies that elevate the guest experience.
• Apply fair, consistent disciplinary actions aligned with Vandelay’s standards and protocols.
• Serve as an ambassador of Vandelay Companies, upholding the company’s mission and fostering a culture of growth, excellence, and hospitality.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED required; Bachelor's Degree in Restaurant / Hospitality Management or similar field of study strongly preferred
• 2+ years of General Manager experience in a full-service high volume operation
• Ability to work a flexible schedule including evenings, weekends and holidays
• Trustworthy, detail-obsessed and open to constructive feedback
• Exceptional communication skills both written and verbal
• Desire and natural ability to with our engage guests, exuding an infectious commitment to guest service at all times

Perks

• Medical, Dental and Vision benefits available
• Paid Time Off
• Dining discounts at all Vandelay Companies concepts
• Professional development and career growth
• Robust Training program
• All Vandelay restaurants are closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and the 4th of July so our team can celebrate with their friends and family
• A collaborative, uplifting culture where we take care of our guests by taking care of our people first

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds
• Ability to work standing and walking for extended periods of time

If you’re a passionate leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is eager to grow with a company that values hospitality and teamwork, we’d love to hear from you!

Vandelay Companies provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetics, or any other federal/state protected category.