CSC - District Manager

Carnes Management•Norfolk, VA

About The Position

The District Manager delivers exceptional multi-unit business results by leading, coaching, and developing Restaurant General Managers. The role serves as a primary brand ambassador, reinforces the Chicken Salad Chick culture, drives unit-level profitability, and acts as the operational link between store operations and corporate or franchise leadership. The position reports directly to the Franchise Owner(s) / Operating Partner and directly supervises and develops 2–4 Restaurant General Managers within the franchise territory. The District Manager oversees financial and operational performance across units, including food, labor, controllable expenses, inventory, and brand-standard execution. The role conducts restaurant assessments and monthly operational and financial reviews, develops leadership succession plans, supports talent development and retention, and works with franchise leadership on local marketing. Work takes place in an office and at multiple restaurant locations and requires regional travel.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Minimum 3 to 5 years of fast-casual restaurant management or multi-unit hospitality leadership experience.
Demonstrated proficiency in fast-casual hospitality leadership.
Internal candidates must demonstrate mastery of corporate training guidelines.
Chicken Salad Chick advanced manager certification program tracks.
ServSafe certification.
Ability to travel regionally between franchise locations.
Ability to walk, sit, and stand for extended periods and move freely through kitchen and service areas.
Ability to bend, stoop, and occasionally lift or move up to 50 pounds.

Responsibilities

Champion the core purpose of spreading joy, enriching lives, and serving others.
Foster a team-first environment that idles on happy and delivers a memorable guest experience.
Oversee financial performance objectives and track food, labor, and controllable variances against strategic goals.
Analyze weekly and period financial summaries, P&L statements, and controllable expenses across all units.
Use platform data such as Altametrics to optimize labor deployment and scheduling trends and assess theoretical versus actual food-cost variances.
Ensure accurate daily and weekly inventory counts, including core chicken poundage and shelf-life tracking.
Conduct an unannounced full Restaurant Assessment inspection at least quarterly to audit brand standards.
Hold thorough monthly Operations and Financial reviews with each GM and develop corrective action plans for operational or cash-handling vulnerabilities.
Maintain a territory succession plan and develop a pipeline of future leaders to support New Store Openings and territory expansion.
Reduce management turnover while fostering a positive culture and maintaining accountability.
Ensure GMs and leadership subordinates receive timely, fair, and objective performance appraisals.
Ensure promotions and special merchandising programs are executed according to Brand Standards.
Recommend and implement Local Store Marketing ideas with the Franchise Owner(s) / Operating Partner.