General Manager

About US:
The Popal Group is seeking an experienced, passionate, and hospitality-driven General Manager to lead the opening and ongoing operations of The Berliner, our newest concept coming soon to Washington, DC.

The Berliner will celebrate the warmth, camaraderie, and traditions of a classic German beer hall while delivering an elevated hospitality experience. Featuring a thoughtfully curated selection of German beers, classic cocktails, approachable wines, and authentic German-inspired cuisine, The Berliner will be a lively neighborhood destination where exceptional food, genuine hospitality, and memorable experiences come together.

This is a unique opportunity for a hospitality professional who thrives in high-volume environments and is excited to help build a restaurant from the ground up. As General Manager, you will play a key role in hiring and developing the team, establishing operational standards, creating an outstanding guest experience, and building a culture centered on accountability, teamwork, and hospitality.

The General Manager is responsible for the overall success of the restaurant, leading all aspects of daily operations while fostering an environment where both guests and employees feel welcome. This individual will work closely with ownership and the culinary leadership team to execute the vision of the concept while driving financial performance and operational excellence.

• Lead all front-of-house and overall restaurant operations.

• Recruit, hire, train, and develop a high-performing management and hourly team.

• Build a positive, inclusive, and accountable workplace culture.

• Deliver exceptional guest experiences and oversee all guest recovery efforts.

• Manage labor, scheduling, payroll, and staffing to achieve financial goals.

• Monitor sales, budgets, labor costs, food and beverage costs, and profitability.

• Partner with the Executive Chef to ensure seamless collaboration between front and back of house.

• Oversee beverage operations, including an extensive German beer program and bar service.

• Maintain the highest standards of cleanliness, food safety, and regulatory compliance.

• Manage inventory, purchasing, and vendor relationships.

• Drive private events, community engagement, and local marketing initiatives.

• Analyze key performance indicators and implement strategies for continuous improvement.

• 1+ years of General Manager experience in a high-volume, full-service restaurant.

• Experience opening new restaurants is strongly preferred.

• Strong background in hospitality-focused, chef-driven concepts.

• Demonstrated success leading large teams in fast-paced environments.

• Strong understanding of restaurant financials, including P&L management, labor controls, inventory, and cost of goods.

• Experience developing managers and creating high-performing teams.

• Excellent communication, organizational, and leadership skills.

• Passion for hospitality and creating memorable guest experiences.

• Beer, wine, and beverage knowledge is highly preferred.

• Experience with restaurant technology including POS, scheduling, inventory, and reservation platforms (Toast, Resy, MarginEdge, 7shifts, Paylocity, etc.) is a plus.

We're looking for someone who leads from the floor, not the office. Someone who is energized by busy dining rooms, believes in coaching and developing people, and understands that great restaurants are built through consistency, hospitality, and attention to detail.

The ideal candidate is confident without ego, approachable, highly organized, financially savvy, and committed to creating an exceptional experience for both guests and employees every day.