General Manager

About the Role

D.L. Mack’s is a Chicago-inspired American tavern from Vandelay Companies that blends timeless comfort food, handcrafted cocktails, and genuine hospitality in a warm, inviting setting. As a General Manager with D.L. Mack’s, you’ll play a pivotal role in bringing our vision to life each day. This is more than a leadership position, it’s an opportunity to shape culture, inspire excellence, and create memorable dining experiences rooted in exceptional food, genuine hospitality, and neighborhood charm.

Responsibilities

• Lead, inspire, and develop a high-performing team that embodies Vandelay’s culture, values, and standards of exceptional hospitality.
• Create memorable dining experiences by exceeding guest expectations and demonstrating a genuine love for the art of hospitality.
• Foster a high-energy, service-oriented environment, modeling Vandelay’s standards of excellence and motivating your team to uphold them.
• Respond to guest concerns (both written and verbal) with professionalism, creativity, and a solutions-focused mindset.
• Oversee all daily operations with precision, ensuring seamless service, polished execution, and a consistently elevated guest experience.
• Drive financial performance by developing accurate forecasts and budgets, monitoring key metrics, and achieving labor, COGS, and profitability goals.
• Analyze monthly P&L statements, clearly articulate fluctuations, and present action plans during leadership meetings.
• Recruit, train, mentor, and retain exceptional talent, maintaining accurate training records and leading effective orientations that reinforce Vandelay culture and expectations.
• Build a strong leadership bench by coaching managers and supporting ongoing growth, development, and succession planning.
• Create and execute initiatives that increase sales, profitability, and guest check average through community engagement and smart business strategies.
• Uphold rigorous operational standards across service, culinary execution, sanitation, cleanliness, safety, and regulatory compliance.
• Ensure all food and beverage products are consistently prepared and served according to Vandelay’s recipes, portioning, and presentation standards.
• Oversee accurate purchasing, correct invoicing, and proper storage and rotation of all products to ensure freshness, quality, and cost control.
• Maintain the aesthetic and physical upkeep of the restaurant, both inside and outside, ensuring a polished and inviting environment.
• Ensure all restaurant paperwork (including daily reports, payroll, purchase orders, and HR documentation) is completed accurately and on time.
• Identify and respond to safety hazards promptly, ensuring a safe working environment and adherence to all local, state, and federal regulations.
• Lead weekly manager meetings and participate in scheduled GM meetings to communicate updates, align on goals, and strengthen team cohesion.
• Use guest feedback and reviews to drive continuous improvement, implementing action-based strategies that elevate the guest experience.
• Apply fair, consistent disciplinary actions aligned with Vandelay’s standards and protocols.
• Serve as an ambassador of Vandelay Companies, upholding the company’s mission and fostering a culture of growth, excellence, and hospitality.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED required; Bachelor's Degree in Restaurant / Hospitality Management or similar field of study strongly preferred
• 2+ years of General Manager experience in a full-service high volume operation
• Ability to work a flexible schedule including evenings, weekends and holidays
• Trustworthy, detail-obsessed and open to constructive feedback
• Exceptional communication skills both written and verbal
• Desire and natural ability to engage guests, exuding an infectious commitment to guest service at all times

Benefits

• Medical, Dental and Vision benefits available
• Paid Time Off
• Dining discounts at all Vandelay Companies concepts
• Professional development and career growth
• Robust Training program
• All Vandelay restaurants are closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and the 4th of July so our team can celebrate with their friends and family
• A collaborative, uplifting culture where we take care of our guests by taking care of our people first

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds
• Ability to work standing and walking for extended periods of time