General Manager - Fast-Casual & QSR Operations

Job Description

Job Description

We are seeking an energetic and hands-on General Manager to lead the opening of a new fast-casual Mediterranean/Middle Eastern restaurant in Charlottesville, VA. This is an exciting opportunity to build a team from the ground up, establish a strong culture, and play a key role in launching a high-volume restaurant.

This role is ideal for a motivated leader who thrives in fast-paced environments, enjoys developing people, and is passionate about delivering exceptional guest experiences. The position features a demanding 32-week peak operating season with an extended off-season, offering a unique balance of leadership responsibility and personal time.

Responsibilities

• Lead all aspects of the new restaurant opening and daily operations.
• Recruit, hire, train, coach, and develop front-of-house and back-of-house teams.
• Maintain full P&L responsibility, including sales, labor, food cost, inventory, and controllable expenses.
• Drive profitability while maintaining exceptional food quality and guest service.
• Manage scheduling, staffing, inventory, purchasing, and vendor relationships.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, sanitation, and company standards.
• Analyze operational performance and implement continuous improvements.
• Resolve guest concerns and maintain outstanding hospitality standards.
• Build a positive, high-performance culture focused on teamwork and accountability.

Qualifications

• 3–5+ years of progressive restaurant management experience.
• 2+ years leading supervisors, managers, or large hourly teams.
• Experience in high-volume fast-casual, QSR, or campus dining environments preferred.
• Strong P&L management, labor, food cost, and inventory control experience.
• Proven leadership, coaching, and team development skills.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Willingness to work up to 60 hours per week during the 32-week peak operating season.

Preferred Background

• Fast Casual Restaurants
• Mediterranean or Middle Eastern Concepts
• Quick-Service Restaurants (QSR)
• Campus Dining
• High-Volume Food Service
• New Restaurant Openings

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.

Company Description

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.