Restaurant District Manager

Our client is seeking a District Manager to oversee a small group of restaurant locations in the downtown Chicago market. This is an excellent opportunity for a strong operator who is ready to step into multi-unit leadership, or for an early-stage multi-unit leader looking to grow with a nimble, people-focused brand.This role is best suited for someone who is highly operational, development-oriented, and comfortable working in a lean environment where leaders stay close to the business. The right person will know how to coach General Managers, build strong teams, drive execution, and balance day-to-day operational priorities across multiple locations.Responsibilities: Oversee operations across approximately four to five restaurant locations within the districtVisit all locations regularly and adjust time spent in each store based on business needsConduct store assessments and operational audits, then communicate strengths, gaps, and action plans to leadership teamsDrive continuous improvement in guest experience, cleanliness, food quality, safety, training, and procedural executionCoach and develop General Managers to lead strong teams, improve performance, and build bench strengthSupport succession planning through recruiting, hiring, development, and retention efforts across the districtAnalyze store performance, sales trends, labor performance, and operational metrics to identify opportunities for improvementPartner with store leaders to drive sales growth and improve profitability through strong executionSupport local store marketing efforts and other field-based initiatives as neededHelp maintain labor efficiency and staffing health while ensuring stores are positioned to meet operational goalsServe as a liaison between field operations and the support teamReinforce company policies, compliance standards, and applicable labor lawsRespond to operational issues as needed, including occasional emergency or alarm-related supportWhat Success Looks Like: General Managers are well coached, accountable, and developing their teams effectivelyStores are executing consistently and improving performance through strong operational leadershipThe district is staffed appropriately and leadership bench strength is improvingThe leader is visible in the business, engaged with teams, and able to shift priorities as neededOperational execution is strong, with sales growth supported by people development and disciplined follow-throughIdeal Candidate Profile: Strong restaurant operations background, ideally in fast casual, quick service, or similar high-volume environmentsExperience as a tenured General Manager, multi-unit General Manager, Area Manager, or early-stage District ManagerDemonstrated ability to lead through others, especially by developing General Managers and store-level leadersStrong time management and prioritization skills across multiple locationsComfortable operating in a leaner, more hands-on environment without heavy corporate infrastructureAble to balance people development, operational execution, and business performanceWilling to work flexible hours and maintain visibility in restaurants during a variety of operating periods, including evenings and weekendsQualifications: High school diploma or equivalent required5+ years of restaurant operations leadership experience at the store level or above-store levelMulti-unit exposure strongly preferredFast casual or quick service experience preferredStrong people leadership, coaching, and team development skills requiredMust be able to pass a background checkMust be willing to work a variety of days and times based on business needs, including evenings and weekendsMust have reliable transportation to travel between locations within the districtMust be able to provide or obtain required food safety certifications prior to startMust be authorized to work in the United StatesMust be able to perform the essential functions of the role, including standing, walking, lifting up to 50 pounds, and working in a fast-paced restaurant environmentCompensation and Benefits: Base salary in the $70,000 to $75,000 rangeBonus opportunity tied to store growth and sales performanceHealth benefits401(k)Phone allowanceCompany-provided computerCareer growth opportunity within a developing organization

Created: 2026-05-13