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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We Are Lucky Strike Entertainment, one of the largest and most successful location-based entertainment companies in the World with 360 upscale and traditional Bowling Centers, five expansive and well-located Waterparks, a large Amusement Park in California and 10 upscale Boomers Family Entertainment Centers in major markets.
- Lead daily operations across food and beverage, bar, kitchen, bowling, and arcade, maintaining service flow and hospitality standards every shift
- Drive revenue through sales-focused service, upselling, guest engagement, and event support
- Recruit, train, coach, and schedule teams that consistently meet company standards and genuinely serve guests well
- Own labor management, food and beverage cost control, inventory accuracy, and daily financial targets
- Stay on the floor supporting FOH and BOH, resolving guest issues in real time, and reinforcing a culture of accountability
- Ensure the center is operationally ready and guest-ready through every high-volume shift
- 3 or more years of leadership experience in restaurant, hospitality, or high-volume food and beverage operations
- A proven ability to drive food and beverage sales and build teams that deliver it consistently
- Experience training and developing hourly leaders in fast-paced environments
- A floor-first management style with a strong read on guest experience
- Solid financial acumen including labor, food cost, inventory, and P&L contribution
- Comfortable lifting up to 50 lbs and standing or walking for extended periods
- Flexible availability including nights, weekends, and holidays
What You'll Get
- Medical, Dental, and Vision plans to select from based on your needs
- Wellness resources to help you along your wellness journey
- 401(k) Retirement Plans
- Employee Stock Purchase Program
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Vacation, Paid Sick Leave, and Holidays
- Perks! Bowling, Boomer's, and Waterpark discounts, Retail discounts, Event discounts, and more!
#LI‑DNP
Lucky Strike Entertainment offers performance-based incentives and a competitive total rewards package which includes healthcare coverage and other benefits including dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, 401(k) retirement plan, employee stock purchase program, employee assistance program (EAP), paid vacation, paid holidays, and paid sick leave. More details regarding benefits are available here: Lucky Strike Entertainment Benefits
We Are Lucky Strike Entertainment, one of the largest and most successful location-based entertainment companies in the World with 360 upscale and traditional Bowling Centers, five expansive and well-located Waterparks, a large Amusement Park in California and 10 upscale Boomers Family Entertainment Centers in major markets.
- Lead daily operations across food and beverage, bar, kitchen, bowling, and arcade, maintaining service flow and hospitality standards every shift
- Drive revenue through sales-focused service, upselling, guest engagement, and event support
- Recruit, train, coach, and schedule teams that consistently meet company standards and genuinely serve guests well
- Own labor management, food and beverage cost control, inventory accuracy, and daily financial targets
- Stay on the floor supporting FOH and BOH, resolving guest issues in real time, and reinforcing a culture of accountability
- Ensure the center is operationally ready and guest-ready through every high-volume shift
- 3 or more years of leadership experience in restaurant, hospitality, or high-volume food and beverage operations
- A proven ability to drive food and beverage sales and build teams that deliver it consistently
- Experience training and developing hourly leaders in fast-paced environments
- A floor-first management style with a strong read on guest experience
- Solid financial acumen including labor, food cost, inventory, and P&L contribution
- Comfortable lifting up to 50 lbs and standing or walking for extended periods
- Flexible availability including nights, weekends, and holidays
What You'll Get
- Medical, Dental, and Vision plans to select from based on your needs
- Wellness resources to help you along your wellness journey
- 401(k) Retirement Plans
- Employee Stock Purchase Program
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Vacation, Paid Sick Leave, and Holidays
- Perks! Bowling, Boomer's, and Waterpark discounts, Retail discounts, Event discounts, and more!
#LI‑DNP
Lucky Strike Entertainment offers performance-based incentives and a competitive total rewards package which includes healthcare coverage and other benefits including dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, 401(k) retirement plan, employee stock purchase program, employee assistance program (EAP), paid vacation, paid holidays, and paid sick leave. More details regarding benefits are available here: Lucky Strike Entertainment Benefits
See All 38 Restaurant Manager Jobs in Iowa
Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Restaurant Manager JobsRestaurant Manager Jobs by City in Iowa
Where Iowa roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Restaurant Manager Job Market in Iowa
A snapshot from current Iowa openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Taco Bell16
- Noodles & Company2
- Perkins Restaurants & Bakery2
- Biaggis1
- KFC FMI1K
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 Taco Bell, Noodles & Company, and Perkins Restaurants & Bakery and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 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?
Des Moines, Ames, and Newton 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 November 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 38 Restaurant Manager Jobs in Iowa
Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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