Assistant General Manager -- High-Volume Upscale Sports & Restaurant

Job Description

Position Overview

A high-volume, upscale sports and entertainment restaurant in Columbus is seeking an experienced Assistant General Manager to join its leadership team and help drive the continued growth of a thriving $6M+ operation.

This is an exciting opportunity for a hands-on hospitality leader who understands elevated comfort food, high-volume full-service operations, nightlife, and sports-driven business.

Located in a highly active dining and entertainment district, the concept attracts a diverse customer base looking for a polished alternative to traditional fine dining, combining chef-driven American comfort food, craft cocktails, live sports, entertainment, private events, and late-night hospitality.

The ideal candidate will be energetic, polished, operationally strong, and passionate about developing people. This is a growth-oriented opportunity with the potential to play a significant role as the concept expands into 3–4 additional locations.

About the Concept

Established high-volume restaurant generating approximately $6M in annual revenue

Upscale sports and entertainment concept

Elevated comfort food and chef-driven American classics

Full-service restaurant and bar operation

100+ TVs and premium sports-viewing experience

Private dining and event spaces

Heated patio and game room

Sports betting component

Live entertainment and nightlife programming

Bottle service and late-night business

Strong local customer base with significant repeat business

Opportunity for continued growth and expansion into multiple locations

The concept combines food, sports, entertainment, and nightlife, creating a dynamic environment that operates well beyond traditional restaurant service.

Key Responsibilities

Operations & Leadership

Support the General Manager in leading all daily restaurant operations.

Serve as a hands-on leader during peak lunch, dinner, game-day, late-night, and event periods.

Maintain exceptional standards for hospitality, food quality, service, cleanliness, and guest experience.

Help manage a high-volume operation generating approximately $6M in annual revenue.

Ensure consistent execution of operational standards across all shifts.

Partner closely with the General Manager and ownership/leadership team on operational initiatives and growth strategies.

Step into the GM's responsibilities when needed and provide strong leadership across the operation.

Team Development

Recruit, train, coach, and develop managers and hourly team members.

Build a positive, accountable, and high-performance culture.

Lead by example and maintain a strong presence on the floor.

Provide ongoing coaching and performance feedback.

Help identify and develop future leaders within the organization.

Work closely with the BOH leadership team to promote strong communication and collaboration between front and back of house.

Help maintain appropriate staffing levels and maximize team productivity.

Guest Experience

Deliver an elevated hospitality experience while maintaining the energy and approachability of a sports and entertainment concept.

Build relationships with regular guests, VIPs, event guests, and local customers.

Ensure service standards remain consistent during extremely high-volume periods.

Help oversee special events, private parties, game-day activations, and nightlife programming.

Resolve guest concerns professionally and effectively.

Maintain the restaurant's reputation as a premier destination for food, sports, and entertainment.

Financial & Business Performance

Assist with managing restaurant P&L performance and controllable expenses.

Monitor labor, food, beverage, and operating costs.

Help drive sales through exceptional execution, events, promotions, and guest retention.

Analyze business trends and identify opportunities to increase revenue and profitability.

Support inventory management, purchasing, waste control, and cost-management initiatives.

Work with leadership to develop strategies that support continued growth.

Culinary & Menu Collaboration

Partner closely with the Executive Chef and BOH leadership to ensure consistent food execution.

Support a culture of creativity and innovation around elevated comfort food.

Help identify opportunities for menu development, specials, seasonal offerings, and guest-driven culinary initiatives.

Maintain strong communication between FOH and BOH during service.

Ensure food quality and presentation consistently meet the concept's standards.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is a high-energy, polished, hands-on restaurant operator who thrives in a fast-paced environment and enjoys building teams and driving results.

Qualifications

3+ years of progressive restaurant management experience, preferably at the AGM or GM level.

Proven experience in high-volume, full-service restaurant operations.

Experience managing or supporting restaurants with $5M+ annual revenue strongly preferred.

Background in upscale casual, polished casual, sports entertainment, nightlife, or high-volume restaurant concepts.

Strong understanding of restaurant P&L, labor, food cost, inventory, and operational controls.

Proven ability to lead and develop large teams.

Strong front-of-house and back-of-house collaboration skills.

Excellent guest service and hospitality instincts.

Comfortable managing high-volume game days, events, nightlife, and late-night operations.

Strong communication and organizational skills.

Energetic, confident, and highly visible leadership style.

Experience with restaurant technology and POS systems preferred.

Must be willing to relocate to Columbus, OH.

Leadership Style

This is a hands-on Assistant General Manager position for someone who enjoys being in the operation and leading from the floor.

The successful candidate will:

Lead by example.

Be highly visible during service.

Build strong relationships with team members and guests.

Know how to balance accountability with a positive team culture.

Remain calm and organized during high-volume periods.

Be comfortable working in a restaurant that transitions from daytime dining and sports into late-night entertainment.

Bring creativity and new ideas to the operation.

Work collaboratively with both FOH and BOH leadership.

Think like a future multi-unit leader rather than simply managing one shift at a time.

Growth Opportunity

This is an especially attractive opportunity for an ambitious hospitality professional looking for long-term career growth.

The ownership/leadership team has plans to expand the concept into 3–4 additional locations, creating potential opportunities for advancement into General Manager, Multi-Unit, or Operations leadership as the organization grows.\nCompany Description

The Restaurant Zone is a leading hospitality recruitment agency specializing in connecting top-tier talent with restaurants, hotels, and hospitality groups across the United States. We partner with growing brands and established operators to deliver high-quality candidates for management, executive, and specialized roles. Our team combines industry expertise, a vast candidate network, and a results-driven approach to help businesses build strong, reliable teams. At The Restaurant Zone, we focus on speed, quality, and long-term fit—ensuring both clients and candidates succeed.

Full-time