At Synergy Restaurant Consultants, we’ve seen firsthand how critical — and yet often overlooked— the General Manager (GM) role is to a restaurant’s success. In many independent and smaller multi-unit concepts, the GM operates without a roadmap. They’re expected to drive profitability, manage teams, and deliver an exceptional guest experience, yet many owners never take the time to outline exactly what success looks like in the role.

This is a recipe for frustration on both sides.

Most restaurant operators have high expectations of their managers but fail to provide them with the tools, training, and clarity to succeed. Without a well-defined job description, your GM is left guessing — and that uncertainty can easily become underperformance.

"You’re only as good as your manager." – Dean Small, Founding Partner, Synergy Restaurant Consultants

Why a Clear Job Description Matters

Without well-defined roles and responsibilities, misunderstandings and friction are nearly unavoidable. Misalignment results in costly errors, whether it involves inefficient labor management, decreased guest satisfaction, or unmet profit targets.

In fact, many operators expect their managers to perform herculean feats — often while hiring less experienced managers to save on payroll. However, when you hire underqualified leaders without a solid foundation or proper training, it can be detrimental to the restaurant.

At Synergy, we believe that every GM should be positioned for success. With the right job description and expectations, even an average GM can shine. Our management training programs are designed to achieve just that — transforming potential into performance and ensuring that your leadership team delivers meaningful results.

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What Should Be in a GM Job Description?

If you expect your GM to generate a healthy 12–15% net operating profit, they must fully understand their responsibilities. An effective GM is crucial not only for determining your restaurant’s profitability but also for maximizing it.

Key responsibilities should include:

• Full accountability for financial performance

• Leadership and development of the management team and hourly staff

• Oversight of guest experience and brand standards

• Operational excellence in food safety, cleanliness, and compliance

• Effective inventory and cost controls

• Team scheduling and labor management

• Hiring, training, and retaining top talent

• Marketing execution and community engagement

When your GM understands their role thoroughly, you empower them to achieve your business goals — and you create a much clearer path to success for yourself.

Get Your Free GM Job Description Template

We’ve eliminated the guesswork in this process by providing a free, ready-to-use General Manager job description template. This resource aims to help you clearly define expectations, align your team, and hold your GM accountable for driving performance.

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➡️ [Download the Free GM Job Description Template Here]

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Final Thoughts

If you’re struggling to achieve the performance you desire from your management team, begin by examining what they’ve been provided to work with. A clear job description and the appropriate training can transform your restaurant.

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