General Manager/ Operating Partner

Sonic Drive-In; Canton (OH); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Sonic Drive-In Canton, OH is seeking a General Manager/Operating Partner to lead daily restaurant operations, coach the team, and sustain guest satisfaction. The role emphasizes labor optimization, inventory control, and adherence to health and safety standards in a high-volume setting.

You will plan and execute staffing, training, and performance management while maintaining vendor relationships, financial reports, and local marketing initiatives to drive business results and service quality.

Qualifications

• Education: High school diploma or equivalent.
• Preferred: Advanced studies in business, restaurant management, or related fields.
• Experience: At least three years of restaurant management experience (QSR preferred).
• Knowledge: Labor laws, health and safety regulations, and customer service standards.
• Skills: Effective verbal and written communication, leadership, time management and problem solving.

Responsibilities

• Recruit, interview, hire, onboard, train, manage, direct, coach, lead, schedule, assign, discipline, and terminate staff.
• Manage compensation levels according to guidelines and budgets.
• Oversee drive-in operations to deliver an optimal guest experience.
• Handle opening/closing duties and ensure compliance with policies and laws.
• Plan, forecast, and adjust food, labor, paper, and inventory for cost control.
• Lead regular team meetings and maintain operational reports.
• Develop and manage local marketing and business performance plans.
• Ensure maintenance of equipment and vendor performance.
• Maintain all drive-in records and cleanliness standards.

Skills

Restaurant management

Staff leadership

Hiring & onboarding

Operations management

Customer service

Scheduling

Problem solving

Communication skills

Leadership

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Advanced studies in business, restaurant management, or related fields

Job description

Position:General Manager/Operating Partner

Immediate Supervisor: Market Supervisor/Multi-Unit Supervisor

Status:Exempt

Position Summary: This position is the highest management position at the drive-in and is responsible for leading and managing the drive-in’s operations and employees.

Essential Job Duties:

• Recruit, interview, hire, onboard, train, manage, direct, coach, lead, schedule, assign, discipline, and terminate the drive-in’s assistant managers and employees
• Manage drive-in employees’ compensation levels pursuant to company guidelines
• Supervise, lead, and manage all aspects of drive-in operations to provide an optimal guest experience
• Manage opening and/or closing duties
• Handle and properly escalat e guest issues/concerns
• Handle and properly escalat e employee issues/concerns
• Manage, plan, forecast, and adjust the drive-in’s food, labor, paper, and inventory to maximize cost-control, operational efficiency, quality standards, and customer service
• Lead regular team meetings to ensure employees are focused on operational standards and guest service
• Manage and maintain all drive-in recordkeeping
• Prepare and maintain all necessary operational reports
• Develop, implement, and manage action plans regarding local marketing and business performance
• Ensure proper maintenance of drive-in and equipment
• Supervise and manage vendor performance
• Comply with and enforce all company policies, procedures, and operational standards
• Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws
• Manage regular cleaning and sanitation duties pursuant to operational standards
• Regular attendance

ADDITIONAL DUTIES:

• As needed, perform all station duties (fountain & frozen, dresser, front swamp, back swamp, grill, switchboard, expeditor, food prep, and drive-thru (if applicable)) to meet operational standards
• As needed, perform regular cleaning and sanitation duties – including trash disposal, mopping, sweeping, washing dishes and food preparation tools, wiping counters, sanitizing food preparation areas, cleaning equipment, and emptying used grease – pursuant to operational standards
• Move and stock food product weighing up to 50 pounds
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned or required

Time/Shift Expectations: Minimum of 50 hours per week; irregular hours; nights; weekends; and holidays

Qualifications and Job Requirements:

• Education
• Required – High school diploma or equivalent
• Preferred – Advanced studies in business, restaurant management, or related fields
• Experience
• At least three years of restaurant management experience (QSR preferred)
• Experience running a restaurant shift without supervision
• Experience recruiting, interviewing, hiring, and managing employees
• Knowledge/Skills
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local labor and employment laws (e.g., wage and hour laws; EEO laws, etc.)
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local health and safety laws and regulations
• Basic computer, math, accounting, and reading skills
• Effective verbal and written communication skills
• Problem-solving, multi-tasking, decision-making, leadership, time-management, and conflict-resolution skills

Work Environment: Continuous standing, bending, reaching, moving, stooping, stretching, and lifting in a restaurant environment; frequent exposure to heat and hot liquid shortening while cooking; frequent exposure to freezer when stocking food items; occasional exposure to extreme temperatures based on variable weather conditions