Luella's Bar-B-Que North Restaurant Manager

ARE YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT FOOD, HOSPITALITY, AND LEADERSHIP?

Land one of the best-smelling jobs around! Since 2007, Luella's Bar-B-Que has been committed to providing genuine hospitality and great food in an energetic, casual, and friendly environment. We strive to build a crew of caring, self-disciplined people who enjoy working in the hospitality industry. We operate North Asheville and South Asheville locations and a catering department. We are locally and independently owned, food quality driven, and well-known for our fun and eclectic work environments and memorable guest experiences. We are looking for qualified hospitality professionals like yourself to help us continue to grow and add new stores in the Asheville area!

SUMMARY

The Restaurant Manager is the senior leader of the restaurant, accountable for overall performance, culture, and results. This role balances the needs of team members, guests, the community, and the company while delivering exceptional hospitality, strong financial performance, and operational excellence.

The Restaurant Manager leads by example, sets the tone for the restaurant, and ensures company standards are consistently executed.

KEY JOB REQUIREMENTS

1. Lead all aspects of restaurant operations with a primary focus on quality, hospitality, and the guest experience
2. Create a culture where every guest feels welcomed, appreciated, and cared for
3. Maintain deep knowledge of the menu and demonstrate passion for Southern cuisine
4. Model hands-on leadership and confidently perform any position supervised
5. Recruit, hire, train, develop, and retain high-performing team members
6. Foster a culture of continuous training, accountability, and improvement
7. Ensure compliance with all ABC, Health Department, and safety regulations
8. Maintain exemplary cleanliness, sanitation, and food safety standards
9. Oversee financial performance, including budgeting, forecasting, and daily/weekly financial reviews
10. Develop and execute local store marketing and sales initiatives to grow revenue
11. Represent the restaurant positively within the Asheville community
12. Is ultimately accountable for overall restaurant performance, including guest satisfaction, team member retention, craveable food, safety, and financial results
13. Exercises sound independent judgment in daily operations while aligning with company standards and leadership direction
14. Addresses performance, conduct, and policy concerns promptly and professionally, escalating issues when appropriate
15. Leads the team effectively through change, new initiatives, and evolving business needs
16. Set and uphold expectations for professional conduct both on and off the job

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

The ideal candidate will possess most of the following:

1. Bachelor’s degree in business or hospitality management preferred, or equivalent combination of education and experience
2. Strong communication and interpersonal skills
3. Proficiency with POS systems and the ability to quickly learn new technologies
4. Solid knowledge of food, beverage, beer, wine, and spirits
5. Demonstrated integrity, accountability, and commitment to excellence
6. A hospitality-first mindset toward guests, team members, and vendors
7. Exceptional attention to detail and pride in execution
8. Active involvement in, or connection to, the local community

COMPETENCIES & LEADERSHIP EXPECTATIONS

1. Positive, professional, and engaging leadership presence
2. Balanced attentiveness to both guest and team member needs
3. Strong operational knowledge across front-of-house, kitchen, beverage, catering, and events
4. Financially savvy with the ability to manage budgets and drive profitability
5. Comfortable creating and executing strategic plans at the restaurant level
6. Thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic environment

BENEFITS

1. Excellent compensation, up to $70K annual, depending on experience
2. Full-Time employees are eligible to enroll in Dental, Vision, Short-Term Disability, Accident, Employee Assistance Program, Direct Primary Care and Medical Cost Sharing after 60 days. Luella’s contributes 60% of your individual premiums
3. Personal Time Off benefits begin immediately and accrue each pay period
4. Eligible to participate in 401k plan after 60 days
5. After 90 days, eligible to be a part of the teamshare bonus
6. Career advancement and cross-training opportunities
7. Free shift meals and dining discounts on non-working days
8. Free parking
9. Employer funded continuing education programs
10. Tuition allowance, after two years, towards hospitality management or culinary arts degree programs

PHYSICAL & WORK REQUIREMENTS

1. Ability to stand and walk for extended periods
2. Ability to lift up to 20 pounds overhead and handle physical demands of restaurant operations
3. Comfort working in kitchen, office, and off-site catering environments
4. Must have a valid driver’s license and able to be added to company insurance to drive vehicles
5. Willing to work a dynamic schedule, including mornings, nights, weekends, holidays, and 50–55 hours per week