General Manager

At Sonic, you're a partner and we compensate you like one. It's the dream job you never have to wake up from. At SONIC, you'll whistle while you work, gaining a sense of accomplishment along the way. You'll interact with fantastic people, earn great pay, sport a cool uniform. As a SONIC Drive-In restaurant General Manager, you are essentially leading your troops in a never-ending campaign to give America an infinitely more delicious food service experience. You will be involved in training and supporting drive‑in restaurant employees, ensuring that food is delivered in a clean, safe and efficient manner and our customers have an excellent experience.

Position: General Manager

Immediate Supervisor: Area Supervisor

Position Summary

This position is the highest management position at the drive‑in and is responsible for leading and managing the drive‑in’s operations and employees.

Essential Job Duties

• Recruit, interview, hire, onboard, train, manage, direct, coach, lead, schedule, assign, discipline, and terminate the drive‑in’s assistant managers and employees
• Manage drive‑in employees’ compensation levels pursuant to company guidelines
• Supervise, lead, and manage all aspects of drive‑in operations to provide an optimal guest experience
• Manage opening and/or closing duties
• Handle and properly escape guest issues/concerns
• Handle and properly escape employee issues/concerns
• Manage, plan, forecast, and adjust the drive‑in’s food, labor, paper, and inventory to maximize cost‑control, operational efficiency, quality standards, and customer service
• Lead regular team meetings to ensure employees are focused on operational standards and guest service
• Manage and maintain all drive‑in recordkeeping
• Prepare and maintain all necessary operational reports
• Develop, implement, and manage action plans regarding local marketing and business performance
• Ensure proper maintenance of drive‑in and equipment
• Supervise and manage vendor performance
• Comply with and enforce all company policies, procedures, and operational standards
• Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws
• Manage regular cleaning and sanitation duties pursuant to operational standards
• Regular attendance

Additional Duties

• As needed, perform all station duties (fountain & frozen, dresser, front swamp, back swamp, grill, switchboard, expeditor, food prep, and drive‑thru (if applicable)) to meet operational standards
• As needed, perform regular cleaning and sanitation duties – including trash disposal, mopping, sweeping, washing dishes and food preparation tools, wiping counters, sanitizing food preparation areas, cleaning equipment, and emptying used grease – pursuant to operational standards
• Move and stock food product weighing up to 50 pounds
• Perform other job‑related duties as assigned or required

Time/Shift Expectations

Minimum of 50 hours per week; irregular hours; nights; weekends; and holidays

Qualifications and Job Requirements

• Education
  • Required – High school diploma or equivalent
  • Preferred – Advanced studies in business, restaurant management, or related fields
• Experience
  • At least three years of restaurant management experience (QSR preferred)
  • Experience running a restaurant shift without supervision
  • Experience recruiting, interviewing, hiring, and managing employees
• Knowledge/Skills
  • Knowledge of federal, state, and local labor and employment laws (e.g., wage and hour laws; EEO laws, etc.)
  • Knowledge of federal, state, and local health and safety laws and regulations
  • Basic computer, math, accounting, and reading skills
  • Effective verbal and written communication skills
  • Problem‑solving, multi‑tasking, decision‑making, leadership, time‑management, and conflict‑resolution skills

Work Environment

Continuous standing, bending, reaching, moving, stooping, stretching, and lifting in a restaurant environment; frequent exposure to heat and hot liquid shortening while cooking; frequent exposure to freezer when stocking food items; occasional exposure to extreme temperatures based on variable weather conditions.