General Manager

Small Cheval; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

401(k)

Commuter Benefits

Dining Discounts & Rewards

Paid Time Off

Job summary

Small Cheval, part of Hogsalt, is seeking a dedicated Full Time General Manager in Chicago to lead daily operations and guest experiences. You’ll drive service excellence, oversee staffing and training, and partner with leadership to uphold company standards.

The role requires a passion for hospitality, strong financial acumen, and the ability to collaboratively manage a fast-paced restaurant environment while maintaining a high level of guest satisfaction.

Qualifications

• Minimum two years of FOH leadership experience in quick-service or full-service restaurants.
• Experience with staffing, scheduling, recruiting, training, and payroll.
• Ability to manage P&L and drive financial performance.

Responsibilities

• Lead and refine all service areas in the restaurant.
• Ensure policies are followed, including training and reviews.
• Oversee guest relations and professional guest communications.
• Handle daily administrative tasks: opening/closing, cash handling, time cards, payroll, and ordering.

Skills

FOH leadership

Staffing & scheduling

P&L management

Guest relations

Open availability

Communication

Job description

Small Cheval, a part of Hogsalt, is looking for a dedicated and experienced Full Time General Manager to join our team!

• Negotiable salary + quarterly bonus structure

Our ideal candidate is passionate about upholding Hogsalt’s values of harmony, accountability, and resilience. Successful Small Cheval leaders are enthusiastic about providing genuine hospitality to guests, and actively contribute to a collaborative and positive workplace culture.

We offer a full suite ofbenefits, includingmedical, dental, vision, life insurance, a 401(k), commuter benefits, dining discounts and rewards, and vested paid time off!

Experience & Qualifications:

• At least two years of FOH leadership experience in quick-service or full- service restaurants; prep and cooking experience preferred.
• Experience with staffing/scheduling, including recruiting, training, schedule writing, and payroll.
• Experience managing a P&L and strong financial understanding, including proven strategies to positively affect a restaurant’s financial health.
• Ability to identify problems and be solution-oriented regarding service and restaurant operations.
• Must have open availability including evenings, weekends, and holidays; schedule subject to modification and/or approval by the Service Director or Vice President of Service & Operations.
• Must be able to frequently lift items weighing up to 50 pounds.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Progress and refine all areas of service in the restaurant.
• Ensure all policies and procedures are followed, including recruiting, hiring and training (including updating all training materials), 6-month employee reviews, progressive discipline, and any other employee documentation.
• Communicate professionally and confidently with guests, employees, and leadership.
• Complete general administrative tasks including:
  • Daily opening and closing duties according to Small Cheval procedures
  • Cash handling and processing refunds
  • Managing and approving time cards and payroll
  • Completing tip exchanges
  • Maintaining restaurant facilities, equipment, and supplies, including placing product orders
• Create all hourly schedules and publish them two weeks in advance, adhering to company standards for labor management and maintaining appropriate staffing levels for the restaurant.
• Review store financials daily to manage comps, expenses, labor, and overall revenue; lead monthly financial calls for the restaurant and present solutions and understanding of P&L statements to leadership.
• Act as the “point person” for all guest relations, including responding to guest emails, resolving service or food issues, and promoting hospitality throughout the restaurant and in each guest interaction.
• Work collaboratively with the Events, Marketing and Branding, Purchasing, Culinary, and Small Cheval Director teams to promote the overall financial health of the restaurant.
• Provide consistent coaching and support for all hourly employees, and possess the ability to fill into any hourly position.

Small Cheval is a Chicagoland original. We took the essential basics of a summer afternoon on the patio — burgers and beers, fries and cones — and made that the whole menu.We get lines out the door, but we've got the rush down to an art, delivering the most satisfying food hot and quick. It's the kind of thing that only happens when you're part of a team that loves the rush, loves working together, and loves sending customers back out into the world satisfied and happy. If you join us, you'll discover that each Small Cheval is a neighborhood place with its own quirky character, but deep down they all share an ironclad commitment to simplicity, consistency, generosity, and quality. More and more Small Chevals keep popping up because both we and our customers share the sense that here on the patio, things are just exactly right.

Ready to join our team?