District Manager

PAY TRANSPARENCY

$90,000 - $100,000 base salary range + bonus potential based on location, skills and qualifications. Compensation offered is subject to local wage and hour laws.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Leads and behaves according to Potbelly Values and upholds the Potbelly Way. The District Manager provides leadership, coaching, and direction to the shops through people development. He or she will be responsible for up to 8 locations on average, depending on the market. Leads to improve shop operations and to maximize the long-term sales and profit of each shop. The DM will plan and set goals for each shop, monitor the progress of goals (Sales, Profits, customer metrics, Turnover, Food Cost) and hold employees accountable for delivering results through coaching. Follows the Playbook and standard Potbelly Operating Procedures with main areas of focus including but not limited to:

What’s In It For You**:

• Competitive pay with performance-based annual raises!
• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance 
• Domestic Partnership Benefits
• Paid Parental Leave
• FSA and HSA with Employer Contribution 
• Commuter Benefit Program 
• Retirement Savings 401(k) with company match
• Employee Assistance Program 
• Paid Time Off 
• Discount Program 
• Flexible Work Schedule 
• Career growth opportunities 

**If hired, you must meet and maintain all eligibility requirements to qualify**

FOCUS

People

• Must ensure each shop has a great General Manager.
• Continuously develop and train General Managers to the next level.
• Must develop bench at every level from Shift Leader to District Manager.
• Coach and develop General Managers on: Staffing, Scheduling, Turnover, Employee Satisfaction, Performance Management, Training and Orientation, Communication, Rewards and Recognition and Administration.
• 40% of time must be spent on executing the People Plan and Coaching teams
• Coach General Managers on conducting and implementing performance reviews and development plans.
• Conduct performance reviews and provide continuous feedback and development. Hold team accountable.
• Build strong teams. Identify staffing needs. Participate in recruiting, selecting, development and placement of all Managers and Shift Leaders.
• Knows how to and routinely identify internal talent, source and recruit.
• Educate Shop Management on all appropriate HR policies, labor laws, and safety and security procedures. Ensure compliance at the shop level.
• Hold effective monthly meetings with Shop Management team for goal alignment.
• Act as communication liaison between Support Center and Shops.
• Effectively utilize Field Support Team (Operations Services, HR/TA Team, Training Team, etc.)

Customers

• Ensure all GMs hire nice people and teach them the Potbelly Advantage.
• Drive the Food Loving Value deep into the shops.
• Hold team accountable for excellence in product quality, consistency and execution, speed of service, shop cleanliness and maintenance and customer service.
• Analyze, address and improve results of the customer feedback program.
• Audit shops to ensure they meet identified operational standards, food safety standards, and labor laws.

Sales

• Develop the annual business plan for the Market.
• Ensure shops properly execute Local Shop Marketing promotions, new product roll-outs and the Playbook.
• Foster Positive Energy in the work environment with shop managers to accomplish business results (increased customer counts, increased sales and increased profits). Must have a Contributor Level Balanced Scorecard.
• Hold managers accountable for results of facility standards.
• Accountable for co-developing the business plan for each shop. Follow-up on progress towards goal achievement.
• Lead successful new shop openings in market/regions.

 

Profit

• Must know how to make more money; expert in Labor Costs, Food Costs and Controls.
• Meet financial and operational goals. Provide and implement Games plans. Motivate and support shop management team to execute those plans.
• Use all information resources available (e.g., balanced scorecard data, secret shops, turnover reports, P&L) to identify opportunities and threats. Optimize shop potential and adjust business plan tactics accordingly.
• Complete various audits to ensure that shops meet Potbelly standard practices and procedures (i.e., cash, security).

PHYSICAL FUNCTIONS

• Must have the ability/stamina to work a minimum of 50 hours a week.
• Ability to stand/walk for 9-10 hours per day.
• Ability to travel 80-90% in the field.
• Will frequently reach, feel, bend, stoop, carry, finely manipulate and key in data.
• Ability to lift up to 10 pounds frequently and up to 50 pounds occasionally.
• Must be able to work in both warm and cool environments, indoors and outdoors.
• Must be able to tolerate higher levels of noise from music, customer and employee traffic.
• Must be able to tolerate potential allergens: peanut products, egg, dairy, gluten, soy, seafood and shellfish.
• Ability to manage several fast-paced, high-volume, customer-focused shops through organization and coordination of schedules, supervision and counseling of employees, problem-solving, maintaining cleanliness, execution of marketing plans and providing great customer service.
• Must have excellent communication skills in English (some markets require Spanish) via writing, telephone, e-mail and in-person.
• Ability to comprehend and communicate in English via verbal and written communication, such that employee can perform his or her job responsibilities.

EXPERIENCE, EDUCATIONS AND BEHAVIORS

• Knows, lives and can teach The Potbelly Way.
• Adopts the Potbelly Values as their personal values.
• Has excellent communication skills, including active listening and the ability to ask great questions.
• Has a sustained record of leading teams to success.
• Possess an extremely strong work ethic.
• Is educated and is an active learner
• Has the initiative to solve problems and to get things done correctly and on time.
• Has the ability to grow other leaders.
• Has humility and self-confidence.
• Knows how and successfully grows our sales/business profitably
• BA/BS preferred.
• At least 5 years of proven leadership experience, managing multiple units preferably within a rapidly growing retail or restaurant organization.
• Proven track record of delivering results in a complex, fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated leadership capability to build strong teams and to achieve business goals.
• Ability to relocate to other markets, preferred.
• As a requirement of the position, the District Manager must be trained and pass a Food Safety Certification course. In Illinois certification is required through the Illinois Department of Public Health, while in all other states certification is required through the National Restaurant Association (ServSafe), National Registry of Food Safety Professionals or the National Environmental Health Association (Prometric).
• Microsoft Office skills.

At Potbelly, we are committed to creating a welcoming and respectful environment where individuals are valued for their unique perspectives, backgrounds, and strengths. We believe that inclusion, collaboration, and mutual respect enhance the way we serve our customers and work together as a team. All employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business need.

We’re an equal opportunity employer. Each applicant will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state or local law.

?Potbelly Sandwich Works may use artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted tools as part of its hiring and recruitment process. These tools may collect and analyze data including questionnaire and assessment responses, resume content, and professional profile information. AI-assisted tools are used for all position types. All final employment decisions are made by people. Potbelly may also use additional AI-assisted tools from time to time in its hiring process. 

If you have questions about how AI is used in connection with your application, or if you would like to request a reasonable accommodation related to the use of AI in the hiring process, please contact HumanResources1@potbelly.com.

Application Deadline: Applications must be submitted by6/2/2026 to be considered for this position. The posting may close earlier if a suitable candidate is selected before the deadline.

#Jodi