Restaurant Manager Jobs in Iowa

Restaurant Manager jobs in Iowa are concentrated in the food service, hospitality, and quick-service sectors, with demand at every level from shift supervisor to multi-unit general manager. Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Iowa City are the most active hiring markets, where employers like Darden Restaurants, Cracker Barrel, and Hy-Vee Food Stores maintain consistent management openings. The most in-demand specialties across Iowa are full-service dining management, fast-casual operations, and catering or banquet oversight. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.

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Overview

Open roles32
Top employerDunkin'
Top cityWest Des Moines, IA
Cities hiring18
Work type100% On-site
Top credentialHigh school diploma or GED

Showing 5 of 32+ Restaurant Manager jobs

Godfather's Pizza
Restaurant Assistant Manager
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Godfather's Pizza
Added 1d ago
Restaurant Assistant Manager
Godfather's Pizza
Council Bluffs, Iowa
Executive Leadership & C-Suite
Program Management
Project Management
High school diploma or GED

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Red Robin
Restaurant Kitchen Manager
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Red Robin
Added 2d ago
Restaurant Kitchen Manager
Red Robin
West Des Moines, Iowa
Business Operations
Executive Leadership & C-Suite
Project Management
$55k - $71k/yr
10,000+

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W
Assistant Manager - Restaurant
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W
Added 2d ago
Assistant Manager - Restaurant
WATERFRONT SEAFOOD MARKET
West Des Moines, Iowa
Business Operations
Customer Service
Project & Program Management
Project Management
$50k - $60k/yr
On-Site

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Kura Sushi
Restaurant Store Manager
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Kura Sushi
Added 3d ago
Restaurant Store Manager
Kura Sushi
West Des Moines, Iowa
Business Operations
Customer Service
Project & Program Management
Project Management
1,001-5,000

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Kura Sushi
Restaurant Assistant Manager
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Kura Sushi
Added 3d ago
Restaurant Assistant Manager
Kura Sushi
West Des Moines, Iowa
Business Operations
Executive Leadership & C-Suite
Project Management
1,001-5,000

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See All 32 Restaurant Manager Jobs in Iowa

Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

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Restaurant Manager Jobs by City in Iowa

Where Iowa roles are concentrated, by current openings.

West Des Moines
6 jobs
Des Moines
4 jobs
Council Bluffs
4 jobs
Waterloo
2 jobs
Iowa City
2 jobs
Cedar Rapids
2 jobs
Keokuk
1 job
Waukee
1 job
Altoona
1 job

Restaurant Manager Job Market in Iowa

A snapshot from current Iowa openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

Dunkin'
Dunkin'5 open roles
CENTRO
CENTRO2 open roles
Red Robin
Red Robin2 open roles

What Iowa Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in restaurant manager jobs across Iowa.

  • Minimum two years of restaurant or food service management experience required
  • Food safety certification such as ServSafe Manager recognized by Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals
  • Demonstrated ability to manage scheduling, inventory, and labor cost controls
  • Experience hiring, training, and developing front-of-house and kitchen staff
  • Proficiency with point-of-sale systems and basic restaurant reporting software
  • High school diploma required, with an associate or bachelor's degree in hospitality preferred

Restaurant Manager Jobs in Iowa: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a restaurant manager in Iowa?

Most Iowa restaurant managers start in hourly food service roles and advance through demonstrated performance. Iowa does not require a state-issued management license, but employers expect a valid food safety certification, with ServSafe Manager being the most widely recognized option acknowledged by the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals. Many candidates strengthen their candidacy with an associate or bachelor's degree in hospitality management from schools like Iowa State University or Des Moines Area Community College.

Which companies hire restaurant managers in Iowa?

Iowa restaurant manager roles are posted by Dunkin', CENTRO, and Red Robin and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Iowa's strong quick-service and full-service dining presence, anchored by regional chains and independent operators throughout Des Moines and Cedar Rapids, means hiring is consistent year-round.

Which Iowa cities have the most restaurant manager jobs?

West Des Moines, Des Moines, and Council Bluffs have the most restaurant manager openings in Iowa right now. Des Moines drives volume as the state capital with a dense concentration of corporate dining, hotel food service, and growing fast-casual development, while Cedar Rapids and Iowa City add strong demand through their university populations, regional hospital campuses, and established independent dining scenes.

Are there remote restaurant manager jobs in Iowa?

Yes, but they are rare. Restaurant management is fundamentally an on-site role requiring direct oversight of staff, guests, and daily operations. About 0% of restaurant manager openings tied to Iowa are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, and those tend to be multi-unit district or regional roles where administrative oversight and vendor coordination can be handled off-site part of the week.

How can I get hired as a restaurant manager in Iowa with little or no experience?

The most realistic path is applying for a shift lead or assistant manager role at a high-volume Iowa employer such as a Hy-Vee deli operation, a Darden casual-dining location, or a university dining contract at Iowa State or the University of Iowa. These employers regularly promote from within and run structured onboarding for new managers. Earning a ServSafe Manager certification before applying gives candidates a concrete credential that Iowa hiring managers treat as a baseline qualifier.

Where can I find and apply to restaurant manager jobs in Iowa?

You can find and apply to restaurant manager jobs in Iowa on Migrate Mate, which lists current Iowa openings updated regularly. Search for roles that match your experience level, location preference, and specialty, then apply directly to the ones that fit.

See All 32 Restaurant Manager Jobs in Iowa

Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Restaurant Manager Jobs