General Manager

Potbelly (Potbelly Corporate)•Schaumburg, IL

13d•$60,000 - $65,000

About The Position

The General Manager is the leader of a Potbelly shop, responsible for fostering a welcoming, team-oriented environment for team members and customers. The role oversees shop staffing and development, daily operations, customer service, food safety, labor and cost controls, and local marketing. The General Manager is expected to spend 80–90% of their time on the shop floor in the Front of the House and to work at least 45 hours per week. The position offers a base salary range of $60,000–$65,000 plus bonus potential. Applications must be submitted by 12/14/2026; the posting may close earlier if a suitable candidate is selected. If hired, employees must meet and maintain all eligibility requirements to qualify for the listed benefits.

Requirements

Be at least 18 years of age.
Minimum of 2 years as a General Manager in a restaurant or retail environment with P&L responsibility is preferred.
Meet state Food Safety requirements and pass and obtain a Food Safety Certification. After two unsuccessful attempts, the applicant will no longer be eligible for a Leader role.
Friendly, customer-first mindset and ability to thrive in a fast-paced, energetic environment.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Problem-solving ability.
Open availability.
Ability to maintain deadlines and prioritize while running an effective shift.
Strong organizational skills and ability to multitask.
Comfort working in a busy kitchen environment; knife skills are a plus.
Ability to manage potential allergens including peanuts, egg, dairy, gluten, soy, seafood, and shellfish.
Ability to build and develop teams and handle conflict resolution.
Strong interviewing skills.
Ability to write effective schedules and maintain labor goals.
Microsoft Office skills.
Strong business acumen and ability to understand and interpret financial reports.
Ability to stand and walk for 8–9 hours or as needed.
Stamina and ability to work a minimum of 45 hours per week.
Ability to lift up to 10 pounds frequently and up to 50 pounds occasionally.
Illinois employees must become food safety certified within 30 days of employment.

Nice To Haves

Knife skills.
Restaurant or retail General Manager experience with P&L responsibility (at least 2 years preferred).

Responsibilities

Train, coach, and develop shop team members and create development plans based on staff abilities.
Interview, select, and hire people who represent Potbelly Values.
Develop and maintain a positive shop culture that supports attraction and retention.
Schedule Associates, Certified Trainers, and Shift Leaders effectively, while maintaining labor goals.
Update the communication board with critical shop information and hold regular meetings with key shop staff.
Delegate tasks effectively and ensure a high standard of execution.
Ensure security procedures and back-of-the-house procedural standards are followed.
Count drawers and follow daily cash-handling procedures.
Drive neighborhood marketing and promotions, including recruiting and marketing outside the shop.
Control cost of goods, variances, and inventories within the shop.
Create a marketing plan and lead local shop marketing to increase sales, including involvement in community, school, local business, social, and not-for-profit activities.
Control assigned P&L line items and interpret financial reports.
Spend 80–90% of time on the shop floor in the Front of the House.
Maintain deadlines and priorities while running an effective shift.
Comply with food, cleanliness, and safety standards.
Effectively handle customer complaints and issues.
Perform other duties as assigned.