Restaurant General Manager

sweetgreen
Madison, WI
On-site

Who this role is best for

Geared toward experienced food service managers comfortable with data-driven operations and team leadership, particularly in fast-casual or retail environments in Madison, WI.

Best fit for

  • Experienced food service managers with a track record of team development and operational efficiency
    — “Proven experience hiring, coaching, and developing high-performing teams”
  • Candidates with hands-on experience in managing sustainable food operations
    — “Hands-on experience with local, organic, and sustainable products”
  • Individuals who can balance financial oversight with team engagement and hospitality
    — “Drive sales and profit by analyzing reports, managing costs, executing strategic plans”

Things to consider

  • The role requires physical capabilities across multiple operational roles within the restaurant
    — “Meet all physical requirements of all roles within the career path”
  • Candidates must be prepared to manage multiple responsibilities in a fast-paced environment
    — “Hands-on experience managing and optimizing processes in a fast-paced environment”

How to stand out

  • Highlight experience with food safety certifications and their impact on team performance
    — “ServSafe Manager or Regional Manager Food Safety Certification”
  • Demonstrate a history of driving profitability through labor and inventory management
    — “Skilled in planning, managing, and forecasting financials, labor, and inventory”
  • Showcase leadership in fostering inclusive and collaborative team cultures
    — “Fostering a culture of trust, transparency, and inclusion”
  • Emphasize your ability to use data to guide operational improvements
    — “Data-driven mindset with curiosity to identify and implement operational improvements”
Pace · Fast PacedCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · Individual

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • Leading the full employee lifecycle
  • Maintaining high standards of food safety
  • Delivering exceptional guest experiences
Typical background
Food service management experienceExperience in fast-casual or retail operations

Skills & requirements

Required

Team LeadershipFood SafetyOperations ManagementCustomer ExperienceFinancial AcumenSystem OperationProcess OptimizationData-driven Decision Making

Preferred

Retail Operations Experience

Stack & domain

Food SafetyCleanlinessEquipment MaintenanceFacility ManagementSupply ManagementFood QualityGuest MetricsData-driven Business DecisionsFinancial AcumenManaging BudgetsLabor ManagementInventory ManagementProcess ManagementOperational ImprovementsTeam EngagementFast-casual OperationsRetail OperationsServsafe ManagerRegional Manager Food Safety CertificationDigital Tools For OperationsReportingTeam CommunicationLeadershipCoachingMentoringAdaptabilityProblem-solvingCuriosityTeamworkTrustTransparencyInclusionCommunicationHospitalityCustomer ExperienceRestaurant ManagementFast-casualRetail

About the role

Original posting from sweetgreen

A Healthier Future Starts With You

As a Head Coach (General Manager), you're the leader, strategist, and mentor of your store. You'll inspire your team, drive operational excellence, and deliver exceptional guest experiences using data-driven insights to build healthier communities through real food.

What You’ll Do

Lead your team by balancing people, operations, and business performance. Build an inclusive culture while coaching talent, using technology to optimize operations and drive profitability. Maintain high standards of food quality, safety, and cleanliness while adapting to a dynamic environment.

Essential Functions

People + Team Leadership: Lead the full employee lifecycle while fostering a culture of trust, transparency, and inclusion. Ensure compliance, deliver timely feedback, and develop a strong, diverse talent pipeline.

Food Safety + Operations: Maintain high standards for food safety, cleanliness, and equipment maintenance, resolving facility, supply, and food quality issues while prioritizing team safety.

Customer Experience: Deliver clean, hospitable, and brand-aligned experiences, acting on guest metrics and making data-informed business decisions.

Financial + Business Acumen: Drive sales and profit by analyzing reports, managing costs, executing strategic plans, and creating effective schedules aligned with business goals.

Systems, Process + Technology: Operate and support all systems, troubleshoot issues, and prioritize daily operations to ensure smooth business and guest experiences.

Execute Head Coach Career Path Duties: Perform all essential functions outlined in the Assistant Coach role, including those from the Shift Leader, Kitchen Lead, and Team Member roles.

What Makes You Stand Out

Experience in high-volume, fast-paced restaurants.

Hands-on experience with local, organic, and sustainable products

ServSafe Manager or Regional Manager Food Safety Certification

Tech-savvy and comfortable using digital tools for operations, reporting, and team communication

Strong financial acumen: managing budgets, labor, and P&L effectively

Proven experience hiring, coaching, and developing high-performing teams

Exceptional adaptability and problem-solving in fast-paced, dynamic environments

Data-driven mindset with curiosity to identify and implement operational improvements

Commitment to operational excellence, hospitality, and team engagement

Experience in fast-casual or retail operations is a plus

Minimum Requirements

Meet all physical requirements of all roles within the career path of the Head Coach including Assistant Coach role, Shift Leader, Kitchen Lead, and Team Member.

3+ years in food service, with at least 2 years in hands-on management

Experience hiring, developing, training, and motivating team members

Skilled in planning, managing, and forecasting financials, labor, and inventory

Hands-on experience managing and optimizing processes in a fast-paced environment

Proven ability to lead and mentor teams collaboratively

What Perks You’ll Get

Competitive base salary + 20% bonus potential

Medical, dental, + vision plans

Paid vacation + wellness time

401(k) program

Paid family leave

Complimentary greens and Sweetgreen swag

Opportunities to impact your team, community, and business

A collaborative team that lives our core values

Clear career path for personal and professional development

Who We Are

Sweetgreen is a national restaurant brand dedicated to building healthier communities by connecting people to real food. Since 2007, Sweetgreen has reimagined fast food to be fresh, flavorful, and rooted in relationships with farmers and communities. As we grow, we are committed to developing our people in our restaurants and at our support center, so that everyone can be part of the movement. When you join Sweetgreen, you not only invest in your own future but help create spaces where food, people, and purpose come together.

Salary range for this role:Starting salary range based on experience$7,000—$84,000 USD 

Sweetgreen provides equal opportunities for all employees and applicants, without regard to sex or gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, race (including traits historically associated with race, such as hair texture and protective hairstyles), religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, any service in the uniformed services of the United States, or any other consideration protected by federal, state, or local law.

California residents: Review our applicant privacy notice HERE.

sweetgreen participates in the federal government's E-Verify program to determine employment eligibility. To learn more about the E-Verify program, please click here.

Source: sweetgreen careers

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