General Manager - Restaurant

Dear Charlotte; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 80,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Excellent benefits package

PTO

Health and wellness benefits

Bonus opportunities for eligible roles

Brand-new restaurant opening

Job summary

Dear Charlotte is opening a brand-new Mediterranean-inspired rooftop restaurant, bar, and event destination in Charlotte, NC. We are seeking a General Manager to shape operations from pre-opening through launch and ongoing success.

You will build the team, culture, systems, and guest experience, while partnering with ownership and leadership to achieve exceptional hospitality and profitability. This hands-on role demands leadership, vision, and a passion for culinary and beverage excellence.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive restaurant management experience.
• Previous new restaurant opening experience.
• Full P&L ownership experience.
• Proven ability to build and lead teams.
• Strong understanding of labor, food cost, beverage cost, and profitability.
• Experience in high-volume, elevated, or beverage-forward restaurants.
• Hands-on leadership style.
• Strong communication and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead Dear Charlotte through pre-opening, opening, and ongoing operations.
• Recruit, hire, train, and develop FOH and BOH leadership teams.
• Build the restaurant's culture, service standards, and operating systems.
• Own restaurant P&L performance, including labor and costs.
• Oversee a $3–4M+ annual revenue operation.
• Lead dinner, brunch, private events, and other revenue opportunities.
• Partner with culinary leadership on food quality and menu standards.
• Lead a cocktail-forward beverage program and bar performance.

Skills

Restaurant management

New restaurant openings

P&L ownership

Team leadership

Labor cost control

Guest hospitality

Communication

Problem solving

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Full Time Dear Charlotte Charlotte, NC, US

3 days ago Requisition ID: 4260

$80,000–$90,000 + Bonus Opportunity | Full-Time

About Dear Charlotte

Dear Charlotte is a new Mediterranean-inspired rooftop restaurant, bar, and event destination coming to Charlotte's Steele Creek area.

With approximately 120 indoor and outdoor seats, Dear Charlotte will feature Mediterranean-inspired cuisine, a cocktail-forward beverage program, dinner, brunch, private events, and a high-energy atmosphere designed to become a destination in its own right.

We're building Dear Charlotte from the ground up and looking for a General Manager who wants to have a real hand in shaping what this restaurant becomes.

The Opportunity

This is more than taking over an existing restaurant. You'll help build the team, culture, systems, service standards, and guest experience from day one.

You'll work closely with ownership and the leadership team through pre-opening, launch, and ongoing operations.

What You'll Own

• Lead Dear Charlotte through pre-opening, opening, and ongoing operations
• Recruit, hire, train, and develop the FOH and BOH leadership teams
• Build the restaurant's culture, service standards, and operating systems
• Own restaurant P&L performance, including labor, food cost, beverage cost, and profitability
• Oversee a projected $3–4M+ annual revenue operation
• Lead dinner, brunch, private events, and other revenue opportunities
• Partner with culinary leadership on food quality, execution, and menu standards
• Lead a cocktail-forward beverage program and bar performance
• Manage scheduling, labor, inventory, purchasing, and operational controls
• Develop training and accountability systems
• Drive guest satisfaction, VIP relationships, and service recovery
• Build relationships with vendors, partners, and community connections
• Be highly visible and hands‑on throughout the opening
• Help solve the inevitable challenges that come with building something new

What We're Looking For

Required:

• 5+ years of progressive restaurant management experience
• Previous new restaurant opening experience
• Full P&L ownership experience
• Proven ability to build and lead teams
• Strong understanding of labor, food cost, beverage cost, and profitability
• Experience in high-volume, elevated, or beverage-forward restaurants
• Strong guest recovery and hospitality skills
• Hands‑on leadership style
• Strong communication and problem‑solving skills

Ideal experience includes:

• Rooftop restaurant or bar operations
• Brunch operations
• Restaurant openings

What Makes You Successful Here

We're looking for someone who runs toward the challenge of an opening.

You should be comfortable creating systems that don't exist yet, building a team from scratch, solving problems in real time, and creating a culture that people want to be part of.

The right person:

• Gets excited talking about food, beverage, and hospitality
• Thinks in both people and numbers
• Takes ownership when things go wrong
• Builds teams instead of simply managing schedules
• Understands the difference between service and hospitality
• Has strong financial and operational instincts
• Brings energy, creativity, and accountability
• Is excited by the opportunity to leave their mark on a new concept

Why Join Dear Charlotte?

• Competitive compensation
• Excellent benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Health and wellness benefits
• Bonus opportunities for eligible leadership positions
• Career growth and advancement opportunities
• Opportunity to be part of a brand-new restaurant opening
• A chance to help shape the culture, team, and guest experience from day one