Restaurant Manager

VPC Pizza Operating Corp•Pigeon Forge, TN

10d•$68,000 - $75,000•Onsite

About The Position

An energetic, creative, highly organized, sales-minded, and passionate individual about hospitality is required. This person will help grow Giordano’s presence in the local community, bring in new event business, plan memorable guest experiences, and work closely with the restaurant team to make each event successful. The Group Sales Manager drives event sales, restaurant revenue, brand awareness, and community engagement in the Pigeon Forge, TM market. This role oversees private parties, large group events, catering, restaurant promotions, and retail initiatives while working closely with restaurant leadership and Giordano’s Marketing team. Because Pigeon Forge is a high-volume seasonal tourism market, this position will focus on capturing vacationing families, tour groups, churches, youth sports teams, corporate gatherings, and other visitors traveling to the Great Smoky Mountains while maintaining strong relationships within the local community.

Requirements

3–5 years of experience in restaurant operations, hospitality, event sales, marketing, or a related field preferred.
Experience within a high-volume seasonal tourism market (e.g., Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, Branson) is preferred.
Experience with private events, group sales, catering, or restaurant marketing required.
Strong sales, communication, organization, and relationship-building skills.
High outreach to national organizations to increase sales through tour operators, group tourism companies, travel agencies, national event planners, casinos, etc.
Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Creative and comfortable developing new marketing and promotional ideas.
Strong understanding local marketing to drive sales with schools, churches, hotels, event venues, chambers, associations, etc.
Experience with event booking, reservation, or email marketing platforms preferred.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office suites.
Ability to remain calm, professional, and organized in a fast-paced restaurant environment.
Comfortable networking and representing Giordano’s in the local community.
Willingness to work evenings, weekends, and holidays based on event and restaurant needs.
Ability to stand for extended periods and assist with event setup as needed.

Nice To Haves

3–5 years of experience in restaurant operations, hospitality, event sales, marketing, or a related field preferred.
Experience within a high-volume seasonal tourism market (e.g., Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, Branson) is preferred.
Experience with event booking, reservation, or email marketing platforms preferred.

Responsibilities

Seek and secure private parties, large group events, corporate events, buyouts, catering opportunities, and community partnerships.
Respond to event and group dining inquiries by phone, email, and other booking platforms.
Manage the event booking process from initial inquiry through final billing.
Conduct restaurant tours with prospective clients and assist with customizing menus and event details.
Build and maintain relationships with local businesses, hotels, attractions, tourism organizations, event planners, and community groups.
Identify new opportunities to generate event sales and increase restaurant revenue.
Maintain an organized event calendar and track event sales and activity.
Effectively communicate all group sales events to management and team members.
Coordinate event details including menus, pricing, floor plans, seating arrangements, decorations, entertainment, vendors, and audio/visual needs.
Create detailed event orders and communicate event requirements to the restaurant team.
Partner with the General Manager and restaurant management to develop profitable menus and ensure successful event execution.
Act as a primary point of contact for event guests before and during their events.
Work directly with restaurant management to ensure the team is prepared for and executes events according to plan.
Attend and oversee major events, assisting with setup, greeting guests and hosts, coordinating vendors, and resolving issues as they arise.
Ensure guest requests, allergies, food timing, and special accommodations are clearly communicated between the guest, kitchen, and front-of-house team.
Build and maintain strategic relationships with the Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism, the Sevierville Chamber of Commerce, local hotels, cabin rental companies, and regional visitor centers.
Develop and manage a local marketing calendar focused on increasing restaurant traffic, event bookings, and community awareness.
Develop and execute local promotions, seasonal campaigns, holiday activations, and other revenue-driving events.
Coordinate email marketing, promotional communications, and local outreach.
Identify opportunities for local sponsorships, partnerships, and community involvement.
Stay informed about local events, festivals, tourism activity, and other opportunities that could drive traffic to the restaurant.
Drive revenue objectives.
Analyze performance metrics.
Maintain accurate event and client information, contracts, pricing, and billing.
Track event activity, sales, retail activity, and results.
Maintain organized client and community partner information.
Communicate regularly with restaurant leadership and the Giordano’s Marketing team regarding upcoming events, promotions, retail initiatives, and marketing activities.
Ensure all event, retail, and marketing activities are completed accurately and on schedule.