General Manager - New Restaurant Opening!

Jim 'N Nick's Community Bar-B-Q • Gastonia, NC

3d • $80,000 - $95,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The General Manager will open a new Jim ’N Nick’s Community Bar-B-Q restaurant, hire and train its founding team, and establish the standards and culture for the restaurant. This is a hands-on, high-energy leadership role focused on genuine Southern hospitality, guest satisfaction, team development, operational excellence, and financial performance.

The General Manager creates a welcoming guest experience, responds promptly to feedback, and models the company’s service expectations. They recruit, develop, and retain team members; maintain a safe, respectful, harassment-free workplace; and coach the team on food quality, service, and safety. They ensure systems and procedures are followed, the restaurant is clean and stocked, and operations adapt to changing business needs.

The role is accountable for year-over-year sales and guest-count growth, labor and inventory management, cost of goods, action plans, scheduling, and the use of catering to strengthen community relationships and sales. The position requires working on one’s feet for extended periods in a live kitchen and dining room, with lifting and other physical activities. Duties may include other job-related tasks as business needs require.

Requirements

• At least 3 years of high-volume, full-service restaurant general-manager-level experience.
• Proven ability to attract, develop, and retain top talent in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong financial acumen focused on year-over-year growth, cost management, and guest metrics.
• Clear, candid communication with guests, team members, and leadership.
• High school diploma or GED.
• Genuine, passionate, respectful, and committed to doing things right.
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods, lift up to 50 pounds, bend, reach, climb, and operate equipment, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Nice To Haves

• Some college preferred.

Responsibilities

• Open the new restaurant, hire its founding team, train team members, and establish restaurant standards.
• Create a positive guest experience and provide a warm welcome, genuine effort, and invitation to return.
• Respond urgently to guest feedback and resolve concerns to strengthen guest loyalty.
• Model and reinforce genuine Southern hospitality on every shift.
• Recruit, develop, and retain strong team members from the community.
• Create and maintain a safe, respectful, harassment-free workplace.
• Coach the team daily on food quality, service standards, safety, and pride in the food served.
• Develop team members and build a bench for future growth and retention.
• Ensure systems, standards, and procedures are executed consistently.
• Maintain a clean, fully stocked operation from the smoker to the front door.
• Plan proactively and adapt to changing business needs.
• Drive year-over-year sales growth and guest-count increases through operational excellence and community connection.
• Manage labor, inventory, and cost of goods; develop and execute action plans to improve results.
• Leverage the catering team to deepen community relationships and build sales.
• Schedule the right people at the right times.
• Work on foot in the kitchen and dining room, operate equipment, and perform required physical tasks.

Benefits

• Competitive base salary of $80,000–$95,000 for General Managers, plus a monthly car allowance.
• Monthly General Manager bonus opportunity, with bonuses paid monthly.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance from day one, subject to plan eligibility requirements.
• 401(k) plan with annual discretionary employer match, subject to plan eligibility requirements.
• Company-paid life and disability insurance.
• Two weeks of paid vacation beginning in the first year, with additional time earned through service.
• Bar-B-Q Family Fund support during unexpected hardship.
• Growth opportunities from General Manager to Managing Partner to Local Owner and beyond.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: High school or GED