Restaurant General Manager Jobs in Iowa
Restaurant General Manager jobs in Iowa are consistently active, with demand concentrated in full-service dining, fast-casual chains, and hotel food and beverage operations tied to the state's hospitality and agribusiness sectors, from entry-level general manager roles to multi-unit directors. Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Iowa City lead hiring volume, with established employers such as Hy-Vee Food Stores, Casey's General Stores, and Marriott-affiliated properties maintaining a steady presence across the state. The most in-demand specialties include high-volume casual dining management, catering and banquet oversight, and quick-service multi-unit operations. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Showing 5 of 20+ Restaurant General Manager jobs
At Noodles & Company, our mission is to nourish and inspire every team member, guest, and community we serve. We are hiring an Assistant General Manager to lead, coach, and work alongside our teams to deliver great food and welcoming guest experiences.
We know noodles, and we know how great food and genuine hospitality bring people together. Our Assistant General Managers help make that happen through steady execution, teamwork, and leading by example. Whether you’re supporting your team during a busy rush, overseeing daily operations, or creating a positive and accountable environment, your leadership helps shape the experience guests return for.
If you’re ready to grow your leadership skills and take the next step in your restaurant career, apply today. After your interview, we’ll treat you to a complimentary meal (up to $10 value), because every great connection starts with great food.
Why Choose Noodles & Company?
- Join a supportive restaurant leadership team where your voice matters
- Competitive pay, plus QUARTERLY BONUS
- Paid time off, including PTO, health days, holidays, and more
- Parental leave and adoption or surrogacy benefits
- Optional early access to earned pay when you need it
- Meal and lifestyle discounts, including event tickets and cell phones
- Tuition assistance and scholarships
- Recognition programs that celebrate your achievements
- Free mental health, legal, and financial resources to support your well-being
- Medical & pharmacy, dental, vision, and pet insurance
- 401(k) with employer match and stock purchase discounts
- Leadership development programs to fuel your growth with us
- Free online Spanish and English courses
- Noodles Resource Groups – inclusive communities that foster belonging, build connections, and support your personal and professional growth
- Learn more about our benefits: https://www.noodles.com/careers/perks
What You Bring to the Table
- Bringing a minimum of one year of management or leadership experience (required).
- Experience in food service, retail, hospitality, or hotel management (preferred).
- Leading a high-performing team alongside the General Manager to deliver operational excellence.
- Providing an exceptional guest experience and fostering a welcoming, supportive environment.
- Demonstrating conflict-resolution skills and strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Recruiting, hiring, training, and managing restaurant team members and shift managers.
- Identifying high-potential talent and supporting growth through ongoing development and recognition.
- Following operational, inventory, and food safety procedures to maintain consistent restaurant standards.
- Assisting with scheduling, labor management, expense control, and local restaurant marketing efforts.
- Leading with a culture of food safety that meets company standards for food quality, safety practices, and cleanliness.
- Working 45 hours per week on a variable schedule, including opening, mid, and closing shifts, as well as weekends and/or holidays. (Current scheduling expectations include 1 opening shift, 2 mid shifts (11am–8pm), 1 closing shift, and 1 additional shift based on restaurant needs. These expectations may change depending on business needs.)
- Meeting the physical requirements of the role, which may include, but are not limited to, standing for long periods, bending, twisting, reaching, lifting up to 55 pounds, and performing routine restaurant tasks, with or without reasonable accommodation.
- Obtaining and maintaining any required food-safety licenses or certifications in accordance with local, state, and federal regulations.
- Must hold a valid driver’s license, as occasional driving may be necessary.
- Must be at least 18 years old.
Noodles & Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a Military Friendly workplace. We encourage Veterans and their spouses to apply. We are proud to be recognized on Forbes’ Best Employers for Diversity, Forbes’ Best Employers for Women, and Forbes’ Best Employers for Company Culture lists, and are committed to creating a workplace where Noodlers feel supported, respected, and able to bring their full self to work.
Application Deadline: Recruiting timelines vary by role, but all positions at Noodles & Company remain open for applications for at least 3 days from the posting date. This role is currently open and accepting applications.
Pay Range: USD $43,000.00 - USD $53,000.00 /Yr. Location : Address: 505 Hickman Road Location : City: Waukee Location : State/Province: IA
At Noodles & Company, our mission is to nourish and inspire every team member, guest, and community we serve. We are hiring an Assistant General Manager to lead, coach, and work alongside our teams to deliver great food and welcoming guest experiences.
We know noodles, and we know how great food and genuine hospitality bring people together. Our Assistant General Managers help make that happen through steady execution, teamwork, and leading by example. Whether you’re supporting your team during a busy rush, overseeing daily operations, or creating a positive and accountable environment, your leadership helps shape the experience guests return for.
If you’re ready to grow your leadership skills and take the next step in your restaurant career, apply today. After your interview, we’ll treat you to a complimentary meal (up to $10 value), because every great connection starts with great food.
Why Choose Noodles & Company?
- Join a supportive restaurant leadership team where your voice matters
- Competitive pay, plus QUARTERLY BONUS
- Paid time off, including PTO, health days, holidays, and more
- Parental leave and adoption or surrogacy benefits
- Optional early access to earned pay when you need it
- Meal and lifestyle discounts, including event tickets and cell phones
- Tuition assistance and scholarships
- Recognition programs that celebrate your achievements
- Free mental health, legal, and financial resources to support your well-being
- Medical & pharmacy, dental, vision, and pet insurance
- 401(k) with employer match and stock purchase discounts
- Leadership development programs to fuel your growth with us
- Free online Spanish and English courses
- Noodles Resource Groups – inclusive communities that foster belonging, build connections, and support your personal and professional growth
- Learn more about our benefits: https://www.noodles.com/careers/perks
What You Bring to the Table
- Bringing a minimum of one year of management or leadership experience (required).
- Experience in food service, retail, hospitality, or hotel management (preferred).
- Leading a high-performing team alongside the General Manager to deliver operational excellence.
- Providing an exceptional guest experience and fostering a welcoming, supportive environment.
- Demonstrating conflict-resolution skills and strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Recruiting, hiring, training, and managing restaurant team members and shift managers.
- Identifying high-potential talent and supporting growth through ongoing development and recognition.
- Following operational, inventory, and food safety procedures to maintain consistent restaurant standards.
- Assisting with scheduling, labor management, expense control, and local restaurant marketing efforts.
- Leading with a culture of food safety that meets company standards for food quality, safety practices, and cleanliness.
- Working 45 hours per week on a variable schedule, including opening, mid, and closing shifts, as well as weekends and/or holidays. (Current scheduling expectations include 1 opening shift, 2 mid shifts (11am–8pm), 1 closing shift, and 1 additional shift based on restaurant needs. These expectations may change depending on business needs.)
- Meeting the physical requirements of the role, which may include, but are not limited to, standing for long periods, bending, twisting, reaching, lifting up to 55 pounds, and performing routine restaurant tasks, with or without reasonable accommodation.
- Obtaining and maintaining any required food-safety licenses or certifications in accordance with local, state, and federal regulations.
- Must hold a valid driver’s license, as occasional driving may be necessary.
- Must be at least 18 years old.
Noodles & Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a Military Friendly workplace. We encourage Veterans and their spouses to apply. We are proud to be recognized on Forbes’ Best Employers for Diversity, Forbes’ Best Employers for Women, and Forbes’ Best Employers for Company Culture lists, and are committed to creating a workplace where Noodlers feel supported, respected, and able to bring their full self to work.
Application Deadline: Recruiting timelines vary by role, but all positions at Noodles & Company remain open for applications for at least 3 days from the posting date. This role is currently open and accepting applications.
Pay Range: USD $43,000.00 - USD $53,000.00 /Yr. Location : Address: 505 Hickman Road Location : City: Waukee Location : State/Province: IA
See All 20 Restaurant General Manager Jobs in Iowa
Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsRestaurant General Manager Jobs by City in Iowa
Where Iowa roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Restaurant General Manager Job Market in Iowa
A snapshot from current Iowa openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
What Iowa Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in restaurant general manager jobs across Iowa.
- Minimum three to five years of restaurant management experience in a comparable concept
- Demonstrated ability to manage full P&L, labor cost, and food cost targets
- Experience leading hourly and salaried teams of fifteen or more employees
- Food Safety Manager certification such as ServSafe recognized by the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals
- Proven success with recruiting, onboarding, and retaining front-of-house and kitchen staff
- Familiarity with point-of-sale systems and scheduling software used in multi-shift operations
Restaurant General Manager Jobs in Iowa: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a restaurant general manager in Iowa?
Most Iowa restaurant general managers advance from assistant manager or kitchen supervisor roles within the same company, building experience in scheduling, cost control, and compliance before stepping into the top role. Iowa does not require a state-issued license to work as a restaurant general manager, but employers consistently expect a Food Safety Manager certification recognized by the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals, along with a strong record of managing full-service or high-volume operations.
Which companies hire restaurant general managers in Iowa?
Companies currently hiring restaurant general managers in Iowa include KFC FMI, Firehouse Subs, and Panera Bread, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Iowa's mix of regional grocery-anchored food service, interstate travel plazas, and urban full-service dining creates consistent openings across employer types throughout the year.
Which Iowa cities have the most restaurant general manager jobs?
Newton, Waterloo, and Des Moines have the most restaurant general manager openings in Iowa. Des Moines anchors demand as the state's largest metro, driven by its growing downtown dining scene and corporate headquarters, while Cedar Rapids and Iowa City generate steady openings through university food service, regional hospitality groups, and the concentration of mid-scale dining along their commercial corridors.
Are there remote restaurant general manager jobs in Iowa?
Yes, but they're rare. About 0% of restaurant general manager openings tied to Iowa are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting the hands-on nature of overseeing daily floor operations, staff, and kitchen quality. The portions of the role most suited to remote work include corporate reporting, scheduling, vendor communication, and training program development for multi-unit or regional oversight positions.
How can I get hired as a restaurant general manager in Iowa with little or no experience?
The most realistic path is starting as a shift leader or assistant manager at a high-volume Iowa operation and moving up internally. Large Iowa employers such as Hy-Vee Food Stores and Casey's General Stores regularly promote from within and offer structured management development programs for candidates who show operational consistency. Earning a ServSafe Food Safety Manager certification recognized by the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals signals readiness to take on compliance responsibilities and gives candidates without a formal business degree a concrete credential that resonates with Iowa hiring managers.
Where can I find and apply to restaurant general manager jobs in Iowa?
You can find and apply to restaurant general manager jobs in Iowa on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state. Search the listings to find roles that match your experience level, preferred location within Iowa, and concept type, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 20 Restaurant General Manager Jobs in Iowa
Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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