General Manager

General Manager - Tampa, FL

Fast-Growing Deli Concept

About the Opportunity

We are seeking an exceptional General Manager to lead a high-volume deli restaurant in the Tampa market. This is a unique opportunity to join a fast-growing concept where strong operators have the ability to make a significant impact on the business, the team, and the guest experience.

We are looking for a true four-wall operator who takes ownership of the entire restaurant, not simply a manager who completes administrative tasks. The ideal candidate is a hands-on leader who drives results through presence, accountability, coaching, and operational excellence while helping build the foundation for future growth.

Position Summary

The General Manager is ultimately responsible for all aspects of restaurant performance, including guest experience, team development, financial performance, operational execution, and culture. This leader will inspire their team through active involvement, lead from the front, and create an environment where both employees and guests thrive. This role requires someone who is equally comfortable engaging guests in the dining room, leading a high-volume shift, analyzing business metrics, developing future leaders, and stepping into the kitchen when needed to support operations.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Leadership

• Lead all day-to-day restaurant operations with a mindset of total ownership and accountability.
• Maintain a strong floor presence and set the tone for hospitality, urgency, execution, and teamwork.
• Ensure exceptional standards of food quality, service, cleanliness, and operational consistency.
• Monitor and manage all aspects of the guest experience from entry to exit.
• Identify operational challenges and proactively implement solutions.

Team Leadership & Development

• Recruit, hire, train, coach, and develop high-performing team members.
• Create a culture of accountability, recognition, growth, and continuous improvement.
• Build a strong leadership pipeline by developing future managers and key leaders.
• Provide regular feedback, coaching, and performance management.
• Foster employee engagement and retention through effective leadership and communication.

Guest Experience

• Serve as a visible ambassador of the brand and build strong relationships with guests.
• Create memorable experiences that drive loyalty and repeat business.
• Respond to guest concerns quickly and professionally while ensuring positive outcomes.
• Maintain a hospitality-first culture throughout the restaurant.

Financial & Business Management

• Drive sales growth while maintaining operational excellence.
• Manage labor, scheduling, productivity, food cost, inventory, waste, ordering, and receiving.
• Analyze key operational and financial metrics and translate data into action plans.
• Maintain appropriate staffing levels while maximizing efficiency and profitability.
• Ensure leadership hours create value through active operational contribution and team support.

Front & Back of House Excellence

• Maintain awareness of every aspect of the operation, including dining room performance, kitchen execution, ticket times, employee engagement, cleanliness, and guest satisfaction.
• Provide support during peak periods by assisting with expo, production, line operations, or other operational needs.
• Lead both front-of-house and back-of-house teams with equal confidence and credibility.

Qualifications

Required

• Proven success as a General Manager or senior restaurant leader in a high-volume environment.
• Progressive restaurant leadership experience with increasing levels of responsibility.
• Strong track record of operational ownership and business performance.
• Experience managing both front-of-house and back-of-house operations.
• Demonstrated success developing employees and promoting talent from within.
• Strong financial and analytical skills with a deep understanding of restaurant KPIs.

Preferred

• Experience within deli, sandwich, fast-casual, QSR, or high-volume restaurant concepts.
• Exposure to multi-unit organizations or rapidly growing brands.
• Experience leading restaurants through periods of growth, change, or expansion.

What Success Looks Like

The successful General Manager will:

• Create a high-performing, people-focused culture.
• Deliver exceptional guest experiences consistently.
• Build and retain strong teams while developing future leaders.
• Drive measurable improvements in sales, operational performance, and profitability.
• Take personal ownership of the restaurant's performance and reputation.
• Help establish scalable systems and standards that support the continued growth of the organization.

Ideal Candidate

This role is ideal for a leader who:

• Leads from the floor, not from an office.
• Takes pride in owning results and raising standards.
• Thrives in a fast-paced, growing business.
• Balances hospitality, people development, and operational discipline.
• Understands that great restaurants are built through people, consistency, and accountability.
• Wants to help shape the future of an emerging and rapidly expanding deli concept.

If you're a hands-on operator who treats the restaurant like it's your own business and enjoys building teams, developing leaders, and driving results, we'd love to hear from you.