General Manager

Panera LLC; Belvidere (IL); On-site; USD 63,500 - 73,500; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay & eligible for quarterly bonuses

Free on-shift meals & unlimited fountain beverages

Medical, dental, vision, life insurance

401(k) with match available

Career advancement & leadership development opportunities

Tuition discounts

Job summary

Panera LLC is seeking a General Manager Lead for their Belvidere, IL location. This role oversees the bakery-cafe team, ensuring operational excellence and quality standards are consistently met while providing leadership and development opportunities for team members.

The ideal candidate will have proven management experience in a restaurant setting, a focus on positive results, and strong business acumen. Competitive pay, bonuses, and comprehensive benefits are offered.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of restaurant General Manager experience preferred.
• Ability to lift, carry, push or pull objects up to 25 pounds.
• Must have clear communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the bakery-cafe team and manage staffing needs.
• Ensure operational and quality standards are met.
• Develop team members and create subject-matter experts.

Skills

Proven ability to drive positive results

Strong business acumen

Team development

Operational management

Communication skills

Education

Restaurant General Manager experience

ServSafe certification

Job description

General Manager Lead with purpose. Grow with support. At Panera, our leaders are celebrated for bringing out the best in their teams. Enjoy great perks, a welcoming culture, and the opportunity to make a real impact—every day. Get ready to rise and come join the fun where you will be a part of making the familiar fantastic! Because at Panera, the best thing of bread is sharing it!

What’s In It for You?

• Competitive pay & eligible for quarterly bonuses
• Free on-shift meals & unlimited fountain beverages
• Paid vacation, sick time, and holidays
• Medical, dental, vision, life insurance, pet insurance & 401(k) with match available
• Career advancement & leadership development opportunities
• Tuition discounts
• Perks & rewards for team members
• Team member assistance program
• And much, much more!

Your Role Includes

• Own all aspects of leading the bakery‑cafe team – planning and managing staffing needs, scheduling, people development, career development, performance management, training, and succession planning.
• Hire, onboard, and train new team members while motivating, energizing, engaging, inspiring, and celebrating the entire team.
• Manage team performance to ensure the bakery‑cafe’s goals, operational and quality standards, and extraordinary guest service expectations are met.
• Create subject‑matter experts within the bakery‑cafe by developing managers on people processes and Panera’s Guiding Values & Behaviors.
• Follow operational procedures to ensure successful execution of company strategies and initiatives.
• Ensure every guest is delighted by the quality of our food, service, and staff.
• Build engaging relationships that lead to long‑term, loyal guests.
• Ensure team members follow company policies and procedures and comply with all federal, state and local regulations.
• Maintain a healthy and safe workplace for the team that meets Panera’s health, food, safety, and company culture standards.
• Maintain the bakery‑cafe’s overall costs and inventory.
• Help build our Culture of warmth, belonging, growth, and trust.

Opportunity Is For You

• Minimum age: 18 years.
• 3+ years of restaurant General Manager experience preferred.
• ServSafe certification (or ability to achieve).
• Proven ability to drive positive results through strong business acumen.
• Proven ability to run great shifts while directing, motivating, coaching and developing others in a fast‑paced environment.
• Flexible hours including nights and weekends in a fast‑paced environment with shifting priorities.
• Capability to lift, carry, push, or pull objects up to 25 pounds.
• Capability to stand and walk for up to 6 hours.
• Must be able to clearly communicate and quickly understand guests and associates’ directions in a loud environment.
• Any job offer for this position is conditional upon the results of a background check.
• Be an ambassador of Panera’s Guiding Values and Behaviors by making people smile, learning and growing together, finding solutions and taking initiative, working (and winning) as a team, having fun and celebrating success, and seeing the best in others.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Disabled/Veterans Pay: $63,500 - $73,500. The actual pay offered will be determined by multiple factors, including but not limited to the candidate’s relevant experience, job‑related knowledge, skills, and geographical location. Individual compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each position and candidate.

601971 Belvidere, IL - Pearl Street