Restaurant Management Trainee

Future General Manager / Multi-Unit Manager Development Program
Qiao Lin Hotpot – Chicago

Qiao Lin Hotpot is a fast-growing, upscale Chinese hot pot restaurant group with multiple locations across the United States. We are looking for ambitious, hardworking, and career-driven individuals to join our Restaurant Management Trainee Program .

This is not just an entry-level restaurant position. It is a structured management development program designed to prepare high-potential candidates to become a Restaurant General Manager and potentially a Multi-Unit Manager as our company continues to expand.

The program is designed to provide approximately two years of hands-on rotational training across all major restaurant departments, including both Front of House and Back of House operations.

Compensation

$5,000 – $10,000 per month, plus performance-based bonus

Job Type: Full-Time

Compensation will depend on experience, performance, training progress, and level of management responsibility.

Management Training Program

During the training program, Management Trainees will rotate through and develop a working understanding of key restaurant functions, including:

• Front Desk / Host Operations

• Guest Service

• Server Operations

• Food Running and Expediting

• Bar and Beverage Operations

• Kitchen Operations

• Food Preparation

• Soup / Broth Station

• Vegetable and Seafood Preparation

• Inventory and Purchasing

• Scheduling and Labor Management

• Food Cost Control

• Restaurant Cleanliness and Food Safety

• Employee Training and Development

• Customer Complaint Resolution

• Restaurant Financial Performance

• Daily Restaurant Operations

• Leadership and Team Management

Our goal is for successful trainees to progressively develop the operational knowledge, leadership ability, and business judgment necessary to independently manage a restaurant.

High-performing candidates may have opportunities to advance into:

Assistant Manager → Restaurant Manager → General Manager → Multi-Unit Manager / Regional Management

What We Offer

• Competitive Salary

• Performance-Based Bonus Program

• Paid Time Off / Paid Vacation

• Medical Insurance for Qualified Full-Time Employees

• Employee Dining Discount

• On-Site Staff Meals

• Employee Birthday Celebrations

• Company-Sponsored Annual Events and Outings

• Structured Management Training

• Career Advancement Opportunities

• Opportunities to Work Across Multiple U.S. Locations

• Long-Term Growth Opportunities with a Fast-Growing Restaurant Group

International Student / Visa Candidates

We welcome qualified candidates who are currently authorized to work in the United States, including eligible OPT candidates .

For strong long-term candidates, the company may consider H-1B or employment-based permanent residency sponsorship , depending on the candidate's qualifications, position, immigration eligibility, business needs, and applicable immigration laws.

Sponsorship is evaluated on a case-by-case basis and is not guaranteed.

Who We Are Looking For

The ideal candidate is someone who wants to build a long-term career in restaurant management , not simply find a temporary restaurant job.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree

• Strong work ethic and willingness to learn

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills

• Leadership potential

• Strong sense of responsibility and accountability

• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment

• Ability to work as part of a team and lead others

• Basic proficiency with Microsoft Office, email, and common business software

• Ability to obtain required Food Handler / Food Safety certifications

• Fluent English communication skills

• Willingness to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as required by restaurant operations

• Willingness to relocate to different cities within the United States as the company expands

Preferred Qualifications

• Restaurant, hospitality, food & beverage, retail, or customer service experience

• Previous leadership or supervisory experience

• Hospitality, Business, Management, Finance, Marketing, or related academic background

• Experience working in a high-volume restaurant environment

• Multilingual ability

Mandarin Chinese is a PLUS, but is not required.

Candidates without restaurant experience are welcome to apply. Comprehensive training will be provided to candidates who demonstrate strong potential, work ethic, and willingness to learn.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Complete rotational training across Front of House and Back of House departments

• Develop a deep understanding of Qiao Lin Hotpot's restaurant operating systems and standards

• Learn directly from experienced managers and restaurant leaders

• Understand service standards, food preparation procedures, food safety, and operational best practices

• Learn scheduling, labor control, purchasing, inventory management, and food cost management

• Assist with employee training, coaching, and performance management

• Learn how to resolve guest concerns and maintain high customer satisfaction

• Support daily restaurant operations as needed

• Understand and achieve operational and financial performance targets

• Develop the leadership skills required to supervise and motivate restaurant teams

• Progressively take on greater management responsibility throughout the training program

• Prepare to independently manage the operations and financial performance of a restaurant

• Be willing to support new restaurant openings and future locations as the company expands

Physical Requirements

This position involves hands-on restaurant training and is not an office-only management role.

Candidates must be able to:

• Stand and walk for extended periods during restaurant shifts

• Bend, reach, and perform routine restaurant tasks

• Lift and carry approximately 20–40 pounds when necessary

• Work in a fast-paced restaurant and kitchen environment

• Work around varying temperatures, including kitchen and walk-in cooler/freezer areas

• Maintain proper cleanliness, sanitation, and food safety standards

Build Your Career With Qiao Lin Hotpot

We are looking for people who want more than a job.

If you are ambitious, hardworking, willing to learn every part of restaurant operations, and interested in developing into a future restaurant leader, we want to hear from you.

Our Management Trainee Program provides a path to develop from a trainee into someone capable of managing an entire restaurant — and potentially multiple locations as Qiao Lin Hotpot continues to grow across the United States.

To Apply:

Please submit your resume through Culinary Agents or email:

Please include your current work authorization status, availability, and whether you are open to relocation within the United States.

More detail about Qiao Lin Hotpot Downtown part of Qiao Lin Hotpot, please visit