General Manager

Fairgrounds Coffee and Tea; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading café chain in the Chicagoland area is seeking a vibrant and results-driven General Manager to lead operations at one of their locations. The role involves overseeing day-to-day activities, managing a high-performing team, and ensuring exceptional guest experiences. With a competitive salary, benefits, and opportunities for growth, this is a chance to brew something great together.

Benefits

Competitive salary + bonus potential

Health, dental, vision benefits

PTO and commuter benefits

Opportunities for growth as we expand

Qualifications

• Experience as a General Manager or manager in a high-volume café.
• Proven ability to train, lead, and retain a high-performing team.
• Commitment to results and delivering quality service.

Responsibilities

• Ordering and monitoring inventory levels.
• Writing schedules and deploying labor to meet business demands.
• Leading the floor and ensuring high guest experience standards.
• Managing purchasing and invoice entry in real-time.

Skills

Hospitality

Leadership

Financial Acumen

Team Management

Results Orientation

Job description

Now Hiring: General Manager – Fairgrounds Coffee & Tea (Chicagoland Area)

Location: Chicagoland Area

Salary range: $65,000 - $70,000

About the Role

Fairgrounds Coffee & Tea is seeking a results-driven General Manager to lead one of our vibrant café locations in the Chicagoland area. If you're a hospitality-first leader who thrives on developing people, driving performance, and curating joyful, high-energy café experiences—this is your opportunity to shine.

Your Day-to-Day Responsibilities

1. Ordering and monitoring inventory levels.
2. Writing schedules to maximize peak periods and align with guest flow and labor goals.
3. Accurately forecasting and deploying labor and resources to meet business demands.
4. Driving promotional item performance with team understanding and execution of goals.
5. Ensuring plans are executed and followed.
6. Keeping communication boards and product job aids current and visible.
7. Actively leading the floor—being visible, supportive, and adaptable based on operational needs.
8. Using SPLH data to build effective schedules that drive productivity and morale.
9. Greeting guests with a smile and name, ensuring high guest experience standards.
10. Maintaining drink and food quality to match high standards.
11. Sharing guest feedback and opportunities for improvement.
12. Creating a relaxing, joyful atmosphere through lighting and music.
13. Setting the tone—bringing good energy and creating a space guests and team love to be in.
14. Ensuring seamless and attentive table service and efficient back-of-house operations.
15. Managing purchasing and invoice entry in real-time.
16. Maintaining par sheets and ensuring proper weekend processes and reviews.
17. Ensuring accurate, timely inventories and proactively resolving outliers.

What You Bring

• Experience as a GM or manager in a high-volume café, QSR, or hospitality environment.
• Financial acumen—able to hit targets without compromising culture or service.
• Proven ability to train, lead, and retain a high-performing team.
• Passion for hospitality, quality products, and joyful experiences.
• Unwavering commitment to results.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary + bonus potential
• Health, dental, vision benefits
• PTO and commuter benefits
• Opportunities for growth as we expand

Apply today and help us brew something great—together.

Fairgrounds Coffee & Tea is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Additional Details

• Seniority level: Mid-Senior level
• Employment type: Full-time
• Job function: Management and Manufacturing
• Industries: Food and Beverage Services

Note: This job posting is active.