Assistant Manager

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental and vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid training

Team rewards

Exclusive discounts

Flexible scheduling

Job summary

SERVE Hospitality Group in Waukegan, IL is seeking an Assistant General Manager to partner with the General Manager to drive guest experiences, lead a high-performing team, and ensure cafe operations run smoothly every day. This role emphasizes hospitality, energetic leadership, reliable coaching, and a hands-on approach, with clear promotion paths and a competitive hourly wage plus tips.

Join a fast-paced, community-focused workplace offering flexible scheduling, medical benefits, and a

Qualifications

• Hospitality-driven leadership with a customer-first mindset.
• Proven ability to coach and develop teams in a fast-paced setting.
• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills with guests and staff.

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.

Skills

Hospitality-driven leader

Excellent communicator

Strong decision-maker

Coaching mindset

Reliable and punctual

Active and mobile

Flexible scheduling

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Some college

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 café 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 Responsibilitie

• 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)
• Legally authorized to work under State and Federal guidelines.
• Previous restaurant leadership experience in QSR or fast casual (1+ year required; 2+ years preferred) .

Join Our Team

SERVE Hospitality Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

The pay range for this role is:
17 - 19 USD per hour(IL-045 Waukegan)