General Manager

About the Role

Kent Kwik is preparing to open a brand-new, high-volume travel center in Ardmore, Tennessee, and we are looking for an experienced General Manager to lead it from the ground up. This is a highly visible leadership opportunity for someone who knows how to take complete ownership of a complex operation. You will build and develop the team, establish operating standards, deliver an exceptional guest experience, and oversee the full performance of a 24-hour location that includes food service, convenience retail, grab-and-go offerings, auto and high-flow truck fueling, truck parking, showers, and a professional driver lounge.

The right person is a hands-on, high-energy operator who can lead through the demands of a new-store launch and create a strong, accountable team culture. Experience in food service is especially important, and candidates with combined travel-center, truck-stop, convenience-store, restaurant, or high-volume retail experience are strongly encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

• Take full ownership of the travel center's launch, daily operations, team performance, and guest experience.
• Recruit, train, coach, inspire, and retain a strong team while setting clear expectations and holding employees accountable.
• Lead all areas of the operation, including food service, convenience retail, grab-and-go, fueling, and professional driver amenities.
• Monitor sales, labor, expenses, cash, inventory, shrink, and profitability while meeting or exceeding performance goals.
• Maintain high standards for cleanliness, merchandising, food quality, safety, security, and operational readiness.
• Engage guests in a positive, approachable manner and confidently de-escalate concerns when needed.
• Ensure accurate cash handling, POS transactions, reporting, documentation, inventory control, and store records.
• Support hands-on store needs, including stocking, merchandise recovery, deliveries, and movement of product from the stockroom to the sales floor.
• Operate and oversee all equipment necessary to run the location safely and effectively.
• Partner with regional leadership and field coaches throughout onboarding, launch, and ongoing performance management.

Requirements

• Previous management experience is required; general management or multi-unit/district management experience is strongly preferred.
• Experience in travel centers, truck stops, convenience stores, restaurants, food service, or another high-volume operation.
• Strong food-service leadership experience; combined food and convenience-retail experience is ideal.
• Proven ability to build teams, create accountability, manage competing priorities, and lead in a fast-paced environment.
• Working knowledge of cash controls, inventory management, shrink, labor, expenses, sales, and store profitability.
• Goal-oriented, outgoing, highly organized, and attentive to detail.
• Strong communication, guest-service, conflict-resolution, and decision-making skills.
• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Must be at least 18 years old and able to pass required pre-employment screening, including a drug test and background check.
• Must be willing and able to comply with Kent Kwik's professional appearance, grooming, and uniform standards.

Schedule & Physical Requirements

• Full-time salaried position, generally 50 hours per week; additional hours may be required, particularly during the opening and ramp-up period.
• Open availability is required, including days, evenings, weekends, and holidays within a 24-hour operation.
• Ability to stand and walk for up to 10 hours per day.
• Ability to regularly lift up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift up to 55 pounds from floor level to above shoulder height.
• Ability to climb ladders and step stools and frequently stand, walk, stoop, kneel, climb, push, pull, and perform repetitive lifting.

Benefits & Pay

• Competitive salary of $80,000-$110,000, based on experience.
• Annual performance bonus opportunity.
• Comprehensive company benefits package.
• Relocation assistance may be available and is negotiable for the right candidate.
• Field-coach-led training with support from experienced regional leadership.
• Significant growth potential within The Kent Companies.
• The opportunity to build, launch, and lead a major new location with meaningful autonomy and visibility.