Assistant Manager

Cotton Patch Café•Abilene, TX

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Cotton Patch Cafe is hiring an Assistant Manager to lead a cafe and support its growth. The company describes its restaurants as serving scratch-made comfort food and small-town hospitality, with 46 locations across Texas and New Mexico. The role calls for a people-focused leader with sound business judgment who can uphold the cafe’s standards and deliver a welcoming guest experience. The Assistant Manager is responsible for cafe operations and financial performance, including ownership of the cafe’s P&L and management of food, labor, and general expenses. The position also involves building and developing a strong team, maintaining quality, cleanliness, and safety, and ensuring consistent scratch-made food. The manager engages with guests, responds to feedback and concerns, and represents the cafe in the local community through events, organizations, and catering sales. The role requires active work in both the front and back of house in a fast-paced environment, including shifts of up to 10 to 12 hours. Cafes open at 11 AM and close at 10 PM; the company states there are no crack-of-dawn openings or midnight closes and that cafes are closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas. Applicants must be at least 21, eligible to work in the United States, and able to obtain Alcohol Service Certification and Food Manager Certification. Sponsorship is not available, and applicants are subject to E-Verify processing.

Requirements

Solid restaurant management experience.
A track record of operational excellence.
A leadership mindset focused on developing people.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Financial savvy and ability to drive profitability.
A team-first attitude and strong work ethic.
Strong interpersonal and conflict-resolution skills.
Ability to obtain Alcohol Service Certification and Food Manager Certification.
Ability to work actively in both front and back of house in a fast-paced environment for shifts of up to 10 to 12 hours.
Must be at least 21 years of age.
Must be eligible to work in the United States; sponsorship is not available. Applicants are subject to E-Verify processing.

Responsibilities

Own the cafe’s P&L.
Maintain consistent, scratch-made food that meets Cotton Patch Cafe standards.
Manage food, labor, and general expenses.
Maintain high standards for quality, cleanliness, and safety.
Build a team with a strong work ethic that can excel in a fast-paced environment.
Handle employee relations with fairness, care, and clear communication.
Create a warm, lively dining experience for guests.
Work the dining room, visit tables, and build relationships with regular guests.
Listen to guest feedback and use it to improve.
Address guest concerns with genuine hospitality.
Represent hometown spirit in the cafe.
Participate in local events, charities, and clubs.
Partner with the local Chamber of Commerce.
Grow catering sales and serve the community beyond the cafe.

Benefits

Ongoing leadership development.
Succession planning and promotion-from-within opportunities.
Multi-level management roles and opportunities across multiple locations and markets.
Competitive base pay.
Profit sharing.
Health insurance.
Vision insurance.
Dental insurance.
Life insurance.
401(k) with company match.
Short- and long-term disability insurance.
10 days of PTO from day one, with no waiting period.
Cafes open at 11 AM and close at 10 PM; closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas.