Assistant Manager

Tropical Holdings Illinois, LLC; Rockford (IL); On-site; USD 23,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay + tips

Flexible scheduling

Career growth opportunities

Training & rewards

Health/dental/vision + 401(k) match

Job summary

SERVE Hospitality Group in Rockford, IL is seeking an Assistant General Manager to partner with the General Manager, drive operational excellence, develop high-performing teams, and deliver outstanding guest experiences daily in our Tropical Smoothie Cafe locations.

Join a people-first, hospitality-driven culture with growth opportunities, flexible scheduling, and competitive hourly pay with tips. This role emphasizes leadership, guest service, and ensuring cafe operations run at their best.

Qualifications

• Hospitality-driven leader with a positive, hands-on approach.
• Excellent communicator who connects easily with guests and team members.
• Strong decision-maker who stays calm, resourceful, and solutions-focused in a fast-paced environment.
• Coaching mindset with the ability to set expectations, give feedback, and recognize great performance.
• Reliable and punctual team members with dependable work habits.
• Comfortable being active with frequent standing, walking, and light lifting.
• Flexible with scheduling, including evenings and weekends.
• Minimum age 18; high school diploma or equivalent required (some college a plus).

Responsibilities

• Lead by example to coach, motivate, and support team members during every shift.
• Deliver friendly, accurate, and efficient service while resolving guest concerns with care.
• Ensure food safety, cleanliness, and brand standards are consistently met.
• Execute opening, mid-shift, and closing procedures with accuracy and accountability; assist with hiring, onboarding, and ongoing training.
• Support labor management, inventory control, and waste reduction to meet targets.
• Partner with the General Manager on sales initiatives, cost control, and shift readiness.
• Promote an upbeat, hospitality-first culture where teams feel supported and empowered.

Skills

Hospitality leadership

Excellent communication

Decision making

Coaching mindset

Reliability & punctuality

Active mobility

Flexible scheduling

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

About this position

Company Overview

At SERVE Hospitality Group, it's more than smoothies – it's about serving smiles, one guest at a time. Built on hospitality, connection, and community, every interaction is a chance to brighten someone's day.

SERVE Hospitality Group proudly operates 30+ Tropical Smoothie Cafe locations and is rapidly growing. As a fast-scaling, multi-unit franchisee, we're expanding this nationally recognized brand with bold energy and purpose. Backed by a strong development pipeline and committed internal capital, we're building a culture-driven, high-performance business that blends speed, discipline, and operational excellence.

About the Role

Join a people-first, hospitality-driven team where leadership, energy, and positivity set the tone. As an Assistant General Manager , you'll partner with the General Manager to drive operational excellence, develop high-performing teams, and deliver outstanding guest experiences - ensuring the cafe operates at its best every day.

Why Join Us?

• Competitive hourly pay of $17 - 19 per hour plus tips! Compensation is based on availability and experience*
• Work-life balance with flexible scheduling and consistent closing times (9 pm)
• Clean, healthy environment - no fryers, no grease, just fresh ingredients
• Career growth opportunities with clear internal promotion pathways
• Fun, fast-paced atmosphere with room for creativity
• Employee perks with paid training, team rewards, and exclusive discounts
• SERVE benefits package including medical, dental and vision insurance, plus a 401(k) with 4% company match (eligibility based on tenure, age, and hours requirements)

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead by example to coach, motivate, and support team members during every shift.
• Deliver friendly, accurate, and efficient service while resolving guest concerns with care.
• Ensure food safety, cleanliness, and brand standards are consistently met.
• Execute opening, mid-shift, and closing procedures with accuracy and accountability.Assist with hiring, onboarding, and ongoing training to build a strong bench.
• Support labor management, inventory control, and waste reduction to meet targets.
• Partner with the General Manager on sales initiatives, cost control, and shift readiness.
• Promote an upbeat, hospitality-first culture where teams feel supported and empowered.

Our Ideal Candidate:

• Hospitality-driven leader with a positive, hands-on approach.
• Excellent communicator who connects easily with guests and team members.
• Strong decision-maker who stays calm, resourceful, and solutions-focused in a fast-paced environment.
• Coaching mindset with the ability to set expectations, give feedback, and recognize great performance.
• Reliable and punctual team members with dependable work habits.
• Comfortable being active with frequent standing, walking, and light lifting
• Flexible with scheduling, including evenings and weekends.
• Minimum age 18; high school diploma or equivalent required (some college a plus)