General Manager - Santa Ana

Better Buzz Coffee; Santa Ana (CA); On-site; USD 79,000 - 86,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Team atmosphere

Growth opportunities

Benefits package

Bonus potential

Paid time off

Job summary

Better Buzz Coffee is seeking a General Manager to oversee current and future California, Nevada, Arizona, and Florida locations. You will lead store teams, uphold brand standards, and drive guest experience and financial performance.

The role requires at least 3 years of GM experience in high-velocity environments, open availability, and a Manager Food Safety Certification. Compensation is $32–$35 per hour with a potential monthly bonus and full benefits.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of general manager experience in a high-velocity, high-volume environment.
• Manager Food Safety Certification.
• Open availability including days, nights, weekends, and holidays.
• 45 hours of work per week.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of store leaders and staff.
• Drive sales, manage labor, and control costs (food, waste).
• Ensure food safety standards and brand compliance.

Skills

People-first leadership

High-velocity environment

Guest experience focus

Education

Associate’s Degree

Manager Food Safety Certification

Tools

None

Job description

About Us

Better Buzz Coffee is a growing coffee brand passionate about delivering an outstanding guest experience. We are seeking General Managers to support existing and new locations throughout California, Nevada, Arizona, and the upcoming Florida market.

Visit us at https://betterbuzzcoffee.com to learn why Life is Better Buzzed.

We look for individuals who share our coffee passion and bring a people‑first leadership mindset, business‑ownership mentality, and a commitment to operational excellence.

Key Qualities We Look For

• People‑first leadership mindset
• Business‑ownership mentality
• Ability to meet and execute key performance indicators
• Commitment to operational excellence
• Resiliency, endurance, and adaptability
• At least 3 years of general manager experience in a high‑volume, high‑velocity environment
• Competitive spirit: striving to win every transaction, shift, and day

Responsibilities

Leadership & Team Development

• Build, lead, and develop a team of Assistant General Managers, Lead Shift Supervisors, Shift Supervisors, Team Ambassadors, and Baristas.
• Act with integrity, honesty, and knowledge to promote the company’s culture, values, and mission.
• Source, interview, hire, and onboard new team members via the company application‑tracking system; identify and develop internal talent for promotion.
• Address all team concerns with urgency, fairness, clarity, strength, and compassion.
• Champion a workplace environment free of harassment, discrimination, and retaliation; ensure all mandated trainings are completed.

Guest Experience & Brand Standards

• Lead the team to deliver exceptional guest experience.
• Resolve guest concerns professionally and recover the experience with empathy and urgency.
• Champion training and readiness for all brand initiatives, promotions, and seasonal campaigns.

Operations & Financial Performance

• Operate the café to meet or exceed financial targets (sales, labor, food cost, waste).
• Build and post accurate, compliant team schedules; manage labor to forecast and meet availability.
• Identify gaps, build plans to close gaps, and cascade plans to the team for execution.
• Drive overall sales through consistent hospitable service and upselling.
• Promote adherence to overall speed of service, fulfillment, and drive‑through time.
• Maintain a high level of guest feedback scores.
• Ensure meal and rest breaks are taken and properly recorded in accordance with state law.
• Lead and ensure proper inventory management (pars, ordering, receiving, rotation, storage, waste tracking).
• Maintain cash handling integrity and follow loss‑prevention protocols.

Compliance, Safety & Well‑being

• Maintain food safety and sanitation standards in line with ANSI certified Manager certification and county health requirements.
• Comply with all applicable federal, state, and local employment laws, including wage‑hour, scheduling, and leave requirements.
• Complete and document required incident reporting (workplace injury, harassment complaints, communicable disease notifications under AB 685).
• Maintain a safe physical environment for guests and team members and promote a culture of psychological safety.

Communication & Partnership

• Partner with the District Manager on team coaching, business performance, and people strategy.
• Communicate clearly and respectfully with The Hive (Better Buzz Support Center), vendors, and cross‑functional partners.

Training & Schedule

• Complete an 8‑week training program; may be assigned to back‑fill an existing location or support a new opening.
• Expect open availability and a 45‑hour work week.

Compensation & Benefits

The role is hourly, ranging from $32.00–$35.00 per hour based on a 45‑hour week. This equates to an annual salary of roughly $79,000–$86,000. In addition, General Managers may earn a significant monthly bonus.

Perks of Working at Better Buzz

• Work with an amazing team of coffee enthusiasts.
• Be part of a quickly growing brand.
• Opportunities for career growth and advancement.
• Full benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and a 401(k) match.
• Paid time off and paid training.
• Monthly bonus potential once awarded a location.

Qualifications

Required

• Minimum 3 years of general management experience in a high‑velocity, high‑volume coffee or fast‑casual environment.
• Manager Food Safety Certification.
• Open availability (days, nights, weekends, holidays).
• 45 hours of work per week.

Preferred

• Associate’s Degree.
• Drive‑through experience.
• New location opening experience.

Company Background

Founded in 2002 by two college students with a coffee cart, Better Buzz has grown into a thriving community with locations across California, Nevada, Arizona, and soon Florida. We roast our own organic, fair‑trade, and rainforest‑certified coffee weekly, and we are committed to quality, connection, and fun.

Learning more about us: www.betterbuzzcoffee.com

Equal Employment Opportunity

Better Buzz encourages you to be bold and authentically you! We are proud to be an equal‑opportunity employer that celebrates the unique differences of our diverse team. We welcome individuals from all backgrounds and consider every qualified applicant without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected class.

Better Buzz is also committed to offering reasonable accommodation to qualified job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation, please contact us at [e-mail].