Restaurant Manager Jobs in Kentucky

Restaurant Manager jobs in Kentucky concentrate in the state's hospitality, tourism, and entertainment sectors, with strong demand at every level from assistant manager to multi-unit director. Louisville, Lexington, and Bowling Green are the most active hiring markets, where well-established employers like Yum! Brands, Darden Restaurants, and Churchill Downs Incorporated maintain significant operations across full-service, fast casual, and event dining. The most in-demand specialties are full-service dining management, quick-service operations, and catering or event venue management. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

Find Restaurant Manager Jobs

Overview

Open roles76
Top employerCook Out Restaurants
Top cityLouisville, KY
Cities hiring39
Work type100% On-site
Top credentialHigh school diploma or GED

Showing 5 of 76+ Restaurant Manager jobs

Bonefish Grill
Restaurant Manager
We won't show you this job again
Bonefish Grill
Added 1d ago
Restaurant Manager
Bonefish Grill
Louisville, Kentucky
Business Operations
Customer Service
Customer Support
Sales
1,001-5,000

Have you applied for this role?

Cook Out Restaurants
Restaurant General Manager – Richmond, KY
We won't show you this job again
Cook Out Restaurants
Added 1d ago
Restaurant General Manager – Richmond, KY
Cook Out Restaurants
Richmond, Kentucky
Business Operations
Customer Service
Customer Support
Sales
$75k - $100k/yr
1,001-5,000

Have you applied for this role?

Cook Out Restaurants
Restaurant Hourly Manager – Morehead, KY
We won't show you this job again
Cook Out Restaurants
Added 2d ago
Restaurant Hourly Manager – Morehead, KY
Cook Out Restaurants
Morehead, Kentucky
Executive Leadership & C-Suite
Program Management
Project Management
1,001-5,000

Have you applied for this role?

Cook Out Restaurants
Restaurant General Manager – Columbia, KY
We won't show you this job again
Cook Out Restaurants
Added 2d ago
Restaurant General Manager – Columbia, KY
Cook Out Restaurants
Columbia, Kentucky
Executive Leadership & C-Suite
Program Management
Project Management
$75k - $100k/yr
1,001-5,000

Have you applied for this role?

Cracker Barrel
Restaurant Manager
We won't show you this job again
Cracker Barrel
Added 3d ago
Restaurant Manager
Cracker Barrel
Shelbyville, Kentucky
Business Analysis
Business Operations
Project Management
10,000+

Have you applied for this role?

See All 76 Restaurant Manager Jobs in Kentucky

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

Find Restaurant Manager Jobs

Restaurant Manager Jobs by City in Kentucky

Where Kentucky roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Louisville
14 jobs
Lexington
7 jobs
Florence
4 jobs
Paducah
3 jobs
Morehead
3 jobs
Owensboro
3 jobs
Bowling Green
3 jobs
Murray
2 jobs
Columbia
2 jobs

Restaurant Manager Job Market in Kentucky

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

Who's Hiring

  • Cook Out Restaurants
    Cook Out Restaurants13
  • Bob Evans Restaurants
    Bob Evans Restaurants13
  • Dunkin'
    Dunkin'10
  • Cracker Barrel
    Cracker Barrel4
  • Manna
    Manna3

What Kentucky Employers Look For

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

  • Proven food service management experience with ServSafe Manager Certification recognized in Kentucky
  • Experience overseeing daily restaurant operations including staffing, inventory, and cost controls
  • Ability to recruit, train, and schedule front-of-house and back-of-house teams effectively
  • Demonstrated success meeting or exceeding guest satisfaction and sales targets
  • Familiarity with Kentucky Department of Public Health food safety regulations and inspections
  • Strong proficiency with point-of-sale systems and restaurant management software platforms

Restaurant Manager Jobs in Kentucky: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a restaurant manager in Kentucky?

Most Kentucky restaurant managers move into the role after several years of front-of-house or kitchen experience, often starting as a shift lead or assistant manager. Kentucky does not require a state-issued manager license, but employers consistently expect a ServSafe Manager Certification, which is accredited by the American National Standards Institute and widely accepted by Kentucky health departments. An associate or bachelor's degree in hospitality management strengthens your candidacy, particularly at full-service and upscale dining concepts.

Which companies hire restaurant managers in Kentucky?

Employers hiring restaurant managers in Kentucky right now include Cook Out Restaurants, Bob Evans Restaurants, and Dunkin', based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Kentucky's concentration of corporate headquarters, tourism destinations, and a growing food and beverage scene means both large multi-unit chains and independent operators post manager openings throughout the year.

Which Kentucky cities have the most restaurant manager jobs?

Louisville, Lexington, and Florence have the most restaurant manager openings in Kentucky. Louisville leads because of its dense concentration of corporate dining brands, major hotels, and entertainment venues tied to events like the Kentucky Derby, while Lexington's university population and Bowling Green's manufacturing-driven workforce support active restaurant markets that keep management demand steady year-round.

Are there remote restaurant manager jobs in Kentucky?

Yes, but they're 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 Kentucky are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, and those positions tend to involve corporate training, multi-unit consulting, or regional oversight roles rather than hands-on floor management.

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

The most realistic entry path is to apply for assistant manager or shift supervisor roles at high-volume Kentucky locations, particularly with multi-unit operators like Yum! Brands in Louisville, which runs structured management trainee programs. Moving laterally from a strong server, bartender, or kitchen lead role at an independent or chain restaurant is common. Earning a ServSafe Manager Certification before you apply and completing a hospitality management program at a Kentucky community college gives you a measurable edge over candidates without credentials.

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

You can find and apply to restaurant manager jobs in Kentucky on Migrate Mate, which lists current Kentucky openings across the state. Search the available roles, find the ones that fit your experience and location, and apply directly to each employer through the listing.

See All 76 Restaurant Manager Jobs in Kentucky

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

Find Restaurant Manager Jobs