General Manager

La La Land Cafe; Charlotte, Northern (NC, KY); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salaries

Medical/dental/vision insurance

401(k) plan

Sick pay

PTO and holiday pay

Profit sharing

Annual food & beverage allowance

Company discounts 30%

Job summary

La La Land Cafe in Charlotte, NC seeks a General Manager to lead store operations, drive guest satisfaction, and foster a high-performing team. The GM will manage budgets, staffing, and brand standards with hands-on leadership across shifts.

Responsibilities include coaching staff, optimizing operational processes, and maintaining compliance with health and safety regulations while delivering a joyful, consistent cafe experience for guests.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and inspire a team of store managers to deliver outstanding guest experiences.
• Oversee day-to-day store operations, ensuring efficiency, profitability, and adherence to standards.
• Manage budgets, labor costs, and key financial metrics to drive store performance.
• Model exceptional guest service and uphold brand promise in every interaction.
• Ensure health, safety, and sanitation regulations are followed at all times.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Team management

Organization

Health & safety compliance

Inventory management

Scheduling

Labor cost control

Education

High school diploma

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Job description

The name La La Land represents a dream world. We set out to bring La La Land to life. A place where you walk in and feel a true sense of joy for life. A place where you are loved for who you are. A place that brings together all human beings. A place where kindness is a priority.

Job Summary

The General Manager (GM) is responsible for leading all aspects of store operations, ensuring exceptional guest experiences, operational efficiency, and team engagement. Reporting to the Area Manager, this role provides hands-on leadership while driving the business forward through operational excellence, coaching, and consistent execution of company standards. The GM has a team of direct reports, and sets the tone for culture and performance, balancing strategic oversight with day-to-day leadership to inspire a high-performing, guest-focused team that provides robust experiences.

Duties and Responsibilities

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, coach, and inspire a team of store managers and their team by supporting staff to deliver outstanding guest experiences.


• Create a positive, inclusive, and collaborative work environment that fosters growth and engagement.


• Provide ongoing coaching, performance feedback, and career development support for team members.


• Set clear expectations and hold the team accountable for achieving operational and performance goals.

Operational Excellence

• Oversee all day-to-day store operations, ensuring efficiency and profitability, consistency, and alignment with company standards.


• Manage staff through recruiting, training, and motivating, and ensuring high customer satisfaction by maintaining quality and service standards.


• Implement and maintain operational processes, SOPs, and brand guidelines to ensure consistency across shifts.


• Maintain compliance with health, safety, and sanitation regulations at all times.


• Focus on marketing, community engagement.


• Foster a positive, joyful, and happy work environment.

Financial & Business Management

• Drive store performance by managing budgets, labor costs, and key financial metrics.


• Control financials through budgeting, inventory, and cost management.


• Analyze operational data and guest feedback to identify opportunities for growth and improvement.


• Collaborate with the Area Manager to execute strategic initiatives that improve store profitability and brand performance.

Guest Experience & Brand Alignment

• Model exceptional guest service and uphold La La Land’s brand promise in every interaction.


• Address guest concerns promptly and thoughtfully, using feedback to improve experiences.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Communicates effectively across verbal, written, and interpersonal channels to convey information clearly, collaborate with others, and support team alignment


• Skilled in cross-functional communication and relationship-building


• Ability to lead teams and foster collaboration


• Organized and detail-focused with task and time management, and in meeting deadlines


• Knowledge of health and safety regulations and compliance


• Strong understanding of inventory management, scheduling, and labor cost controls

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent required


• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience preferred


• A minimum of 3-5 years of operations management experience, coffee/tea beverage industry preferred


• Previous experience managing a team of direct reports required


• Willingness to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as required

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of standing may be required


• Ability to work in varied environmental conditions, including exposure to hot and cold temperatures

Additional Information

• La La Land offers competitive salaries, bonuses, medical/dental/vision insurance, prescription drug coverage, 401(k) plan (after 12 months of employment), sick pay, PTO and holiday pay, profit sharing plan (after 90 days of employment), annual food & beverage allowance (prorated for hire date), and company discounts of 30%.

A job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

All candidate information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.