General Manager

General Manager

Salary: $60,000 - $65,000 per year base with bonus potential.

What's In It For You

• Competitive pay with performance-based annual raises
• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
• Domestic Partnership Benefits
• Paid Parental Leave
• FSA and HSA with Employer Contribution
• Commuter Benefit Program
• Retirement Savings 401(k) with company match
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Time Off
• Discount Program
• Flexible Work Schedule
• Career growth opportunities

Applicants must meet eligibility requirements.

What you bring to the table

• You want to delight customers with great food and good vibes
• You are friendly and customer service oriented
• You have strong written and verbal communication skills
• You love working in a fast-paced environment
• You’re a team player
• You enjoy problem-solving
• You have open availability
• You’re able to maintain deadlines and prioritize while running an effective shift
• You have strong organizational skills and ability to multitask
• You can handle the heat of the kitchen – knife skills are a plus
• You enjoy higher levels of noise from music, customer, and employee traffic
• You can manage potential allergens such as peanut, egg, dairy, gluten, soy, seafood, and shellfish
• You are able to build and develop strong teams and handle conflict resolution
• You have strong interviewing skills
• You’re able to write effective schedules and maintain labor goals
• You have Microsoft Office skills
• You have a strong business acumen
• You have the ability to understand and interpret financial reports
• Minimum of at least 2 years as a General Manager in a restaurant or retail environment with P&L responsibility preferred
• You’re able to stand/walk for 8-9 hours or as needed
• You have the ability/stamina to work a minimum of 45 hours per week
• You’re able to lift up to 10 pounds frequently and up to 50 pounds occasionally
• Illinois Applicants – all IL employees are required to become food safety certified within 30 days of employment

Job Duties and Functions

• Train, coach, and develop all shop team members to realize their potential
• Assess staff abilities and create and implement effective development plans
• Interview, select and hire great people who represent Potbelly Values
• Develop and maintain Good Vibes culture that fosters strong attraction & retention
• Effectively schedule Associates, Certified Trainers and Shift Leaders
• Update communication board with critical shop information
• Hold regular meetings with key shop staff
• Effectively delegate tasks to the team and ensure a high standard of execution
• Ensure all security procedures are followed
• Ensure back-of-the-house procedural standards are met
• Count drawers and follow proper daily cash handling procedures
• Effectively drive neighborhood shop marketing and promotions to maximize sales potential
• Control cost of goods, variances and inventories within the shop
• Create a marketing plan and lead local shop marketing to increase sales
• Control assigned P&L line items
• Spend 80-90% of time on the shop floor in the Front of the House
• Maintain deadlines and prioritize while running an effective shift
• Comply with health and safety standards for food, cleanliness and safety
• Effectively handle customer complaints/issues
• Other duties as assigned

- As a requirement, all Shift Leaders and Managers must pass a Food Safety Certification course. In Illinois certification is required through the Illinois Department of Public Health, while in other states through the National Restaurant Association (ServSafe) or other recognized bodies. Failure to pass after two attempts results in disqualification for management.

We are committed to creating a welcoming and respectful environment where individuals are valued for their unique perspectives, backgrounds, and strengths.

We’re an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit and business need.

AI‑assisted tools may be used in the hiring process, but final decisions are made by people.

If you have questions about how AI is used in the hiring process, or if you would like to request a reasonable accommodation related to the use of AI, please contact

Application Deadline: Applications must be submitted by 8/9/2026 to be considered for this position. The posting may close earlier if a suitable candidate is selected before the deadline.