General Manager/ Operating Partner

soar-restaurants-sonic; Keokuk (IA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Soar Restaurants Sonic is seeking a General Manager/Operating Partner to lead drive-in operations and staff in Keokuk, IA. This top‑level role oversees guest experience, staffing, and financial controls.

Responsibilities include recruiting, coaching, scheduling, cost controls, and ensuring compliance with policies and laws; requires strong leadership and communication skills, with a focus on operational excellence.

Qualifications

• Education: High school diploma required; advanced studies in business or restaurant management preferred.
• Experience: at least three years of restaurant management experience (QSR preferred).
• Experience leading shifts, recruiting, interviewing, hiring, and supervising staff.

Responsibilities

• Recruit, interview, hire, onboard, train, manage, direct, coach, lead, schedule, assign, discipline, and terminate assistant managers and employees.
• Manage employees’ compensation per company guidelines.
• Supervise all drive-in operations to ensure guest satisfaction.
• Open and/or close the drive-in; handle guest and employee concerns.
• Forecast and manage food, labor, paper, and inventory for cost control and quality.
• Lead regular team meetings to reinforce standards and service.
• Maintain records and prepare operational reports.
• Develop and manage local marketing and business performance plans.
• Ensure facility and equipment maintenance; supervise vendors.
• Comply with policies, procedures, and legal requirements; maintain sanitation.
• Attend work regularly.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Staff development

Communication

Education

High school diploma

Advanced business/restaurant studies

Tools

POS systems

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 escape guest issues/concerns
• Handle and properly escape 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