Restaurant District Manager
Company
AG Foundry
Location
Chicago, IL
Job Type
Full-time
Salary
70K–75K a year
Posted
3 days ago
Via
Indeed
Job Description
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 district
• Visit all locations regularly and adjust time spent in each store based on business needs
• Conduct store assessments and operational audits, then communicate strengths, gaps, and action plans to leadership teams
• Drive continuous improvement in guest experience, cleanliness, food quality, safety, training, and procedural execution
• Coach and develop General Managers to lead strong teams, improve performance, and build bench strength
• Support succession planning through recruiting, hiring, development, and retention efforts across the district
• Analyze store performance, sales trends, labor performance, and operational metrics to identify opportunities for improvement
• Partner with store leaders to drive sales growth and improve profitability through strong execution
• Support local store marketing efforts and other field-based initiatives as needed
• Help maintain labor efficiency and staffing health while ensuring stores are positioned to meet operational goals
• Serve as a liaison between field operations and the support team
• Reinforce company policies, compliance standards, and applicable labor laws
• Respond to operational issues as needed, including occasional emergency or alarm-related support
What Success Looks Like:
• General Managers are well coached, accountable, and developing their teams effectively
• Stores are executing consistently and improving performance through strong operational leadership
• The district is staffed appropriately and leadership bench strength is improving
• The leader is visible in the business, engaged with teams, and able to shift priorities as needed
• Operational execution is strong, with sales growth supported by people development and disciplined follow-through
Ideal Candidate Profile:
• Strong restaurant operations background, ideally in fast casual, quick service, or similar high-volume environments
• Experience as a tenured General Manager, multi-unit General Manager, Area Manager, or early-stage District Manager
• Demonstrated ability to lead through others, especially by developing General Managers and store-level leaders
• Strong time management and prioritization skills across multiple locations
• Comfortable operating in a leaner, more hands-on environment without heavy corporate infrastructure
• Able to balance people development, operational execution, and business performance
• Willing to work flexible hours and maintain visibility in restaurants during a variety of operating periods, including evenings and weekends
Qualifications:
• High school diploma or equivalent required
• 5+ years of restaurant operations leadership experience at the store level or above-store level
• Multi-unit exposure strongly preferred
• Fast casual or quick service experience preferred
• Strong people leadership, coaching, and team development skills required
• Must be able to pass a background check
• Must be willing to work a variety of days and times based on business needs, including evenings and weekends
• Must have reliable transportation to travel between locations within the district
• Must be able to provide or obtain required food safety certifications prior to start
• Must be authorized to work in the United States
• Must 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 environment
Compensation and Benefits:
• Base salary in the $70,000 to $75,000 range
• Bonus opportunity tied to store growth and sales performance
• Health benefits
• 401(k)
• Phone allowance
• Company-provided computer
• Career growth opportunity within a developing organization
Pay: $70,000.00 - $75,000.00 per year
Benefits:
• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
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 district
• Visit all locations regularly and adjust time spent in each store based on business needs
• Conduct store assessments and operational audits, then communicate strengths, gaps, and action plans to leadership teams
• Drive continuous improvement in guest experience, cleanliness, food quality, safety, training, and procedural execution
• Coach and develop General Managers to lead strong teams, improve performance, and build bench strength
• Support succession planning through recruiting, hiring, development, and retention efforts across the district
• Analyze store performance, sales trends, labor performance, and operational metrics to identify opportunities for improvement
• Partner with store leaders to drive sales growth and improve profitability through strong execution
• Support local store marketing efforts and other field-based initiatives as needed
• Help maintain labor efficiency and staffing health while ensuring stores are positioned to meet operational goals
• Serve as a liaison between field operations and the support team
• Reinforce company policies, compliance standards, and applicable labor laws
• Respond to operational issues as needed, including occasional emergency or alarm-related support
What Success Looks Like:
• General Managers are well coached, accountable, and developing their teams effectively
• Stores are executing consistently and improving performance through strong operational leadership
• The district is staffed appropriately and leadership bench strength is improving
• The leader is visible in the business, engaged with teams, and able to shift priorities as needed
• Operational execution is strong, with sales growth supported by people development and disciplined follow-through
Ideal Candidate Profile:
• Strong restaurant operations background, ideally in fast casual, quick service, or similar high-volume environments
• Experience as a tenured General Manager, multi-unit General Manager, Area Manager, or early-stage District Manager
• Demonstrated ability to lead through others, especially by developing General Managers and store-level leaders
• Strong time management and prioritization skills across multiple locations
• Comfortable operating in a leaner, more hands-on environment without heavy corporate infrastructure
• Able to balance people development, operational execution, and business performance
• Willing to work flexible hours and maintain visibility in restaurants during a variety of operating periods, including evenings and weekends
Qualifications:
• High school diploma or equivalent required
• 5+ years of restaurant operations leadership experience at the store level or above-store level
• Multi-unit exposure strongly preferred
• Fast casual or quick service experience preferred
• Strong people leadership, coaching, and team development skills required
• Must be able to pass a background check
• Must be willing to work a variety of days and times based on business needs, including evenings and weekends
• Must have reliable transportation to travel between locations within the district
• Must be able to provide or obtain required food safety certifications prior to start
• Must be authorized to work in the United States
• Must 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 environment
Compensation and Benefits:
• Base salary in the $70,000 to $75,000 range
• Bonus opportunity tied to store growth and sales performance
• Health benefits
• 401(k)
• Phone allowance
• Company-provided computer
• Career growth opportunity within a developing organization
Pay: $70,000.00 - $75,000.00 per year
Benefits:
• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers about Restaurant Jobs
What is the federal minimum cash wage for tipped restaurant servers in the United States in 2026?
As per the U.S. Department of Labor, the minimum cash wage for tipped restaurant employees is $2.13 per hour as of January 2026, provided tips bring total earnings to at least $7.25 per hour. Employers must supplement any shortfall to reach the full minimum wage. Overtime at 1.5 times the regular rate applies after 40 hours per week.
What are the minimum age and experience requirements for entry-level restaurant jobs like dishwashers in the United States?
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, workers must be at least 16 years old for most restaurant positions under the Fair Labor Standards Act as of 2026, with 14-15 year olds limited to non-hazardous roles during limited hours. No prior experience or education is required for entry-level roles such as dishwashers or bussers.
Which documents are required when applying for restaurant jobs in the United States?
As per U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, applicants must complete Form I-9 with documents proving identity and employment authorization such as a U.S. passport or driver's license plus Social Security card by the first day of work in 2026. Employers verify these within three business days.
How many hours per week can restaurant workers be scheduled and what leave applies in 2026?
The U.S. Department of Labor states that non-exempt restaurant employees receive overtime pay after 40 hours in a workweek at 1.5 times their rate as of 2026, with no federal cap on total weekly hours. There is no federal requirement for paid sick leave or vacation in restaurant jobs.
