General Manager

Empire Headquarters | Pret A Manger; New York; On-site; USD 70,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Empire Headquarters | Pret A Manger in New York seeks a General Manager to lead shop operations and drive profitability. Responsibilities include managing P&L, recruiting and developing a strong team, and ensuring compliance with food safety standards. Ideal candidates will have 5+ years in management roles within the hospitality sector and strong operational leadership skills. Competitive salary range of $70K–$85K with additional performance bonuses offered. Join us to shape the future of Pret in America.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of management experience or equivalent in restaurant, retail, or hospitality.
• Proven ability to manage P&L and financial accountability.
• Experience in recruiting and developing talent.

Responsibilities

• Oversee shop operations and ensure efficiency and profitability.
• Drive sales growth and operational efficiency.
• Recruit and develop management staff and team members.

Skills

Management experience

P&L ownership

Talent development

Operational leadership in fast-paced environments

Food safety compliance

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

General Manager

About Pret: Pret US is at a defining moment. Backed by substantial investment and strategic commitment, we are not simply operating; we are transforming a beloved brand in the American market. With a newly established US Board and an entirely rebuilt senior leadership team, we are assembling exceptional talent to drive this ambitious vision forward.

This is an opportunity to join a winning team built on an ownership mindset, rapid learning, bias for action, and competitive drive. Our ideal candidates are resilient, flexible, comfortable with ambiguity, and data-driven. We are seeking leaders who thrive in dynamic, high‑stakes environments and are energized by the challenge of building something remarkable.

As part of the Pret US team, you will work directly with seasoned leaders who understand turnarounds, scaling operations, and delivering results. If you are driven to exceed ambitious goals, make bold decisions, and build a brand that matters, this is where you belong.

Join us in writing the next chapter of Pret in America.

The Role

As a General Manager at Pret, you are the hero of the shop. You oversee all aspects of shop operations from staffing and scheduling to inventory management, ensuring the business runs efficiently, profitably, and with heart. You are responsible for driving sales and profitability while creating a positive, inclusive, and high‑energy environment where both guests and team members thrive.

Our Managers are our in-shop Heroes. They protect the things that make Pret by keeping standards high, spirits high, and guests happy. When the shop gets busy, you lead from the front, whether that means rolling up your sleeves at the coffee machine (with training, of course) or diving into the P&L to improve margins.

Key Responsibilities

• Take full accountability for shop-level P&L performance, including sales growth, labor productivity, food cost, and waste control
• Drive strong transaction growth and operational efficiency
• Analyze performance trends and take decisive action to improve results
• Operate with urgency to close performance gaps and deliver against targets
• Recruit, hire, and develop Assistant General Managers, Managers in Training, and hourly team members
• Create a culture of accountability, warmth, and high performance
• Conduct structured performance conversations and talent reviews
• Identify and develop future leaders to build a strong internal bench
• Model Pret’s standards of hospitality on the shop floor
• Create a consistently warm, fast, and personal guest experience
• Coach in real time to improve service behaviors and guest engagement
• Act quickly to resolve guest concerns and protect the brand
• Ensure strict adherence to Pret’s recipes, food preparation standards, and product specifications
• Maintain high-quality, fresh food production throughout the day, minimizing waste while protecting availability
• Lead daily and weekly sales forecasting to accurately plan food production and labor
• Use historical data, sales trends, and upcoming promotions to optimize production levels
• Monitor waste and variance reporting, taking corrective action to improve forecasting accuracy
• Ensure full compliance with company policies, food safety, and health & safety regulations
• Maintain exceptional cleanliness and operational standards

Qualifications

Required Experience

• 5+ years of management experience or equivalent leadership experience in restaurant, retail, or hospitality environments
• Proven P&L ownership and financial accountability
• Experience developing and promoting internal talent
• Demonstrated ability to lead high-volume, fast‑paced operations
• NYC Food Handlers Card
• Available to work 50+ hours
• Led a team of greater than 20 employees
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods; lift, carry, push, pull, or move objects up to 50 pounds; bend, reach overhead, squat, kneel, and go up and down stairs as needed; safely maneuver through tight or compact spaces; operate restaurant equipment and handle tools such as tongs, pots, and pans with dexterity; work in environments ranging from hot to cold, including near open flames and occasional outdoor conditions; maintain close, distance, and peripheral vision; communicate continuously with team members; and work in a constant state of alertness while maintaining safe operations

Education

• Bachelor’s degree (Preferred)

Salary Range

• The pay range for this role is $70,000 - $85,000. Compensation packages are based on several factors that are unique to each candidate, including but not limited to skill set, depth of experience, certifications, and the specific work location of New York, New York, United States. In addition, you will be eligible for a discretionary bonus if you are an active employee as of fiscal year-end.

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