Since 1940, Dairy Queen® has been one of the world’s best known and loved brands. Based in Minneapolis, MN, International Dairy Queen Inc., (IDQ), is the parent company of American Dairy Queen Corporation. As a leading franchisor, there are more than 7,000 independently owned and operated restaurants in the U.S., Canada and more than 20 countries around the world. IDQ is a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (Berkshire) which is led by Warren Buffett, the legendary investor and CEO of Berkshire.

Here at IDQ, we create extraordinary Fan experiences every day and we do this through our commitment to hiring and retaining only the best in class talent. We firmly believe that our employees are the catalyst to the success of the company where their initiative, strategic thinking, and entrepreneurial spirit are recognized and rewarded. We're looking for motivated, passionate and dedicated individuals with an inherent need and ambition to go after bigger challenges.

We have an exciting opportunity available for a General Manager to oversee our corporate Grill & Chill restaurant.  This position will lead a team to create positive memories for all who touch DQ and OJ.

Job overview:

Oversee entire restaurant operations including financial performance, product production, inventory, personnel, sales, and marketing for the restaurant.  Ensure restaurant is operated within guidelines established by owner and franchisor. Set high standards and create a great environment for the team to work. Provide a high level of leadership and team building in order to cultivate an environment which is recognized by the franchisee community, corporate staff and vendors as the pinnacle for our system in training, corporate support and brand loyalty.  Collaborate regularly with corporate office staff to provide an environment that tests potential products, equipment, programs, and processes for ultimate system-wide rollout. If managing a corporate training restaurant, oversee the two objectives of the DQ Training Restaurant, LLC; restaurant operations and Phase training, which includes administering the training programs of Phase I, II for franchisees/managers, and recertification training for business consultants, directors, area vice-presidents and corporate employees in the restaurant environment. 

Key Accountabilities Include:

Operations

• Strive for operational levels that meet or exceed the Fan’s expectations in the areas of quality, service and atmosphere, creating value through an excellent experience and a fair price.
• Coordinates the needs of marketing, R&D and operations departments in testing of products, procedures and equipment for the system with the needs of the store, providing feedback regarding feasibility of above for system-wide rollout.

Training

• Ensure that every member of management and crew is trained and fully knowledgeable on all PRIDE systems and routines, product recipes, food safety practices and restaurant safety practices.
• Ensure that all PRIDE systems and routines are incorporated into the day-to-day operations of the restaurant, setting each shift up for success.
• If managing a corporate training restaurant, administer the training program as directed by the Training Department. This includes administering the training programs of Phase I, II for franchisees/managers, and recertification training for business consultants, directors, area vice-presidents and corporate employees in the restaurant environment. 

• Business Planning  

• Develop the restaurant’s business plan by working with the owner and ADQ Business Consultants, field staff or territory operator.

• Manage restaurant profit & loss to optimize sales and profit, analyzing COGS and taking corrective action if necessary, maintaining inventory, projecting restaurant demand changes throughout the year and adjusting labor accordingly, and ensuring that cash control/security procedures are followed. Prepare financial and sales forecasts and budgets, review financial reports regularly for variances, establish and monitor financial controls.

• Develop and implement strategies to increase average meal checks and frequency of Fan visits.

Fan Service

• Ensure that Fan service in all areas meets or exceeds company standards.
• Establish standards for the management team and crew to handle customer concerns.
• Ensure that customer complaints are promptly and appropriately addressed to resolve the problem and ensure that each dissatisfied customer becomes a return Fan. Manage open complaints to ensure follow up process is documented in the Tell Us About Us (TUAU) database.
• Understands the importance of speed of service and resolve bottlenecks in work flow.
•  Build relationships with return or preferred patrons.

 Team Member Leadership

• Accomplish store objectives by hiring, training, coaching and developing the store management team and hourly crew members to build a highly skilled and productive team.
• Ensure thorough training and new hire orientations take place; clearly communicate job expectations; monitor each employee and manager’s performance and job contributions, provide ongoing and helpful feedback against expectations.
• Responsible for effective scheduling and ensuring that the restaurant is properly staffed to drive sales volumes. Prepare crew members’ schedules and approve schedules completed by assistant managers to meet staffing requirements for different day parts and different seasonal demands, and to meet established labor goals. 
• Conduct formal employee performance appraisals to assess and review job contributions.
• Role model and enforce policies and procedures.
• Maintain a positive working relationship with all restaurant staff to foster and promote a cooperative and pleasant working climate, which will be conducive to maximizing employee morale, productivity and efficiency.

Health and Safety Standards

• Must be ServSafe® certified or approved equivalent.
• Ensure that Food Safety is the top training priority in store operations. Ensure that proper hand washing, product rotation procedures, and temperature logging are visible and active behaviors. Role model and enforce safe food handling practices.
• Maintain a safe, secure, and healthy facility environment by establishing, following, and enforcing sanitation standards and procedures, complying with health and legal regulations and maintaining security systems or routines. Ensure that all health, safety and sanitation requirements are met in accordance with federal, state and local standards.
• Train and ensure understanding by store management and crew on how to react in the event of an emergency such as a workers compensation accident, a robbery, etc. Lead the response to such events.

Store Marketing

Attract new Fans and increase restaurant sales by developing and implementing local, regional and national marketing promotions and activities, including advertising, public and community relations programs, identifying and evaluating local competitors’ store marketing, evaluating program results, identifying and tracking changing consumer demands.

Other

Interacts with various franchisee groups, including FAC, and other councils, giving them perspective on various aspects of the business.

Must have ability to:

• Perform under pressure in a high volume restaurant including moving and responding quickly for long periods of time. 
• Work in and out of different temperature ranges. 
• Stand for long periods of time. 
• Lift up to 50 pounds. 
• Work around nuts and other allergens.

Education/Experience:

• Minimum 8 years of relevant experience, including 3-5 years of restaurant management experience, with responsibility for restaurant profit and loss, required. Previous quick service restaurant experience strongly preferred. 
• High School diploma or equivalent required. 
• Proven track record of effectively managing COGS and labor. 
• ServSafe® certified or approved equivalent.

Skills

Customer focus - strong hospitality and customer service skills, enjoys engaging with the customer.

Trainer and coach - ability to be a strong trainer and coach to others on restaurant routines and systems, as well as how to effectively interact with customers and each other.

Management skills - excellent track record of coaching and developing employees and effectively resolving employee relations issues. Ability to motivate and retain a strong team, and set a positive and upbeat store environment.

Organization and goal focus - must be highly organized and detail-oriented with the capability to oversee all aspects of the business and multiple areas simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.  Must be able to set clear goals for the business and actively work to achieve and exceed these goals.

Technical - proficiency with computers and with Point of Sale systems.

Flexibility and adaptability -willingness to follow directions and a commitment to meet DQ and OJ standards in all you do.

Integrity-does the right thing even when no one is looking, honest, earns trust of others.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.  

Benefits

Benefit package includes medical, dental and vision insurance coverage, employer paid basic life insurance, short and long-term disability, paid sick and vacation, 401(k) match, tuition reimbursement, wellness challenges and more!

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

We are committed to creating a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion for all who touch DQ.  We believe in and commit to fostering a community where employees bring their authentic selves to work; where we recruit, engage and retain employees, franchise owners and suppliers with diverse background and identities; and where everyone feels welcome engaging with our DQ brand.

IDQ is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values the strength diversity brings to the workplace. IDQ participates in the US E-Verify program.  You must be work authorized in the United States without the need for employer sponsorship.