Restaurant Manager

Hands-on. Team-focused. Customer-first. No desk jockeys.

Smoque BBQ is hiring a Restaurant Manager to help lead day-to-day operations at one of Chicago’s busiest and most respected BBQ joints. This is a full-time, in-the-weeds management role for someone who’s just as comfortable on the line or at the register as they are handling scheduling, coaching, and reviewing P&Ls.

We need someone who can lead by example, keep the team motivated, and hold the standards high — especially when we’re slammed. Someone who can spot a problem before it becomes one, step in without drama, and get things back on track.

If you’re the kind of person who runs toward the action, thrives on structure, and genuinely gives a damn about people — customers and employees alike — we want to meet you.

• Be on the floor, in the kitchen, and at the counter — wherever the team needs support

• Train, coach, and develop FOH and BOH staff with a focus on long-term growth

• Deliver great guest experiences and handle issues with clarity and care

• Create and manage staff schedules to meet both labor targets and operational needs

• Lead performance reviews and coaching conversations

• Track and manage labor, COGS, waste, and other key metrics

• Ensure compliance with food safety, health, and sanitation standards

• Collaborate with ownership on business planning, improvements, and growth

• 3+ years of restaurant management experience (fast casual or full service)

• Experience working both FOH and BOH — and willing to jump into either

• Strong leadership and people management skills — not just telling people what to do, but making them want to do it

• Excellent customer service instincts and the ability to defuse problems gracefully

• Highly organized with solid time management and follow-through

• Financial understanding of COGS, labor, and general P&L performance

• ServSafe Manager Certification (or willingness to get it)

• Bilingual in Spanish is a plus

• A stable, full-time role in a respected, high-volume restaurant

• Supportive ownership that values strong managers and gives them room to lead

• Competitive salary based on experience

• Paid time off, benefits, and opportunities for growth

• A culture that’s serious about food, people, and getting better every day

Sound like your kind of leadership role? Apply now and let’s talk.