Research Summary. Here are some key points about hiring general managers in the United States:

  • In the United States, the median cost per hire a general manager is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • Human Resources use 15% of their expenses on recruitment on average.
  • On average, it takes around 12 weeks for a new general manager to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

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How Much Does it Cost to Hire a General Manager

Recruiting general managers involves both the one-time costs of hiring and the ongoing costs of adding a new employee to your team. Your spending during the hiring process will mostly be on things like promoting the job on job boards, reviewing and interviewing candidates, and onboarding the new hire. Ongoing costs will obviously involve the employee's salary, but also may include things like benefits.

You can expect to pay around $71,581 per year for a general manager, as this is the median yearly salary nationally. This can vary depending on what state or city you're hiring in. If you're hiring for contract work or on a per-project basis, hourly rates for general managers in the US typically range between $19 and $60 an hour.

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How to hire a General Manager, step by step

To hire a general manager, consider the skills and experience you are looking for in a candidate, allocate a budget for the position, and post and promote the job opening to reach potential candidates. Follow these steps to hire a general manager:

  • Step 1: Identify your needs
  • Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
  • Step 3: Make a budget
  • Step 4: Writing a general manager job description
  • Step 5: Post the job
  • Step 6: Interview process
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new general manager
  • Step 8: Go through the checklist for the hiring process

1
Identify Your Needs

The first step in the general manager hiring process is determining what type of worker you actually need. For example, certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

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Hiring the perfect general manager also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires, and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

Here's a comparison of the average salaries of common general manager roles:

Type Of General ManagerDescriptionHourly Rate
General ManagerTop executives devise strategies and policies to ensure that an organization meets its goals. They plan, direct, and coordinate operational activities of companies and organizations.$19-60
Manager On DutyA manager on duty's role is to oversee operations in a store or a particular department, ensuring efficient workflow and workforce performance. They mainly evaluate and delegate tasks among employees, arrange schedules, set goals and budget, handle issues and concerns, and impose disciplinary actions... Show More$12-25
Multi-Unit ManagerA multi-unit manager is responsible for supervising multiple departments and overseeing various process sectors within an organization. Multi-unit managers handle the budget limitations for each unit, allocating adequate resources to support business functions and client requirements... Show More$23-41

2
Create An Ideal Candidate Profile

Before you start to recruit general managers, imagine the ideal employee for this position and begin creating a profile and job description. What skills do they have, and what responsibilities do they have to be proficient in?

General managers typically have the following skills:

Common Skills:
  • Customer Service
  • Cleanliness
  • Food Safety
  • Guest Service
  • Payroll
  • Math
  • Ladders
  • Inventory Control
  • Customer Satisfaction
  • POS
  • Inventory Management
  • Guest Satisfaction
  • Customer Relations
  • Cash Control
Check All Skills

Here are the responsibilities that most general managers perform:

Responsibilities:
  • Generate positive EBITDA and improve cash flow by managing costs and inventory.
  • Manage all recruiting and training efforts, and develop systems to track ROI comparison results.
  • Work as a FOH AGM and train to manage all staff functions including training, hiring, food and labor controls.
  • Develop yearly budget for multiple hotels that include revenue, labor, fix and variable costs to achieve overall EBITDA goal.
  • Task primarily with building logistics infrastructure, managing operational expenses, and supporting start up strategies.
  • Train and manage FOH staff and improve overall quality, organization and professionalism of restaurant and bakery.
Check all Duties

Beyond the basics, you should also consider how well a candidate fits into your company culture. In other words, you should think about how your ideal general manager will live by the company's mission statement and contribute to the team dynamic you already have in place.

Most Common States For General Managers In The US

Rank #State# Of Jobs% of PopulationAvg. Salary
1Ohio5,82350%$56,892
2Georgia5,22750%$53,419
3North Carolina5,15950%$63,122
4Virginia4,29651%$69,783
5Indiana3,56053%$52,897

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3
Make A Budget

Including a salary range in the job description can help attract top candidates to the position. A general manager salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience and seniority of the candidate, any certifications they may hold, and the prestige of the company they will be working for. For example, the average salary for a general manager in Wyoming may be lower than in Hawaii, and an entry-level general manager may earn less than a senior-level general manager. Additionally, a general manager with certifications may command a higher salary, and working for a well-known company or start-up may also impact an employee's pay.

Updated March 16, 2023

General Manager Salary Estimate

$71,581

$34.41 hourly

Entry level Salary
$40,000 yearly

General Manager Average Salary By Location

RankStateAvg. SalaryHourly RateJob Count
1California$98,643$4749
2Washington$93,660$451
3New York$90,656$44256
4District of Columbia$90,607$4464
5Massachusetts$81,775$3965

General Manager Average Salary By Company

RankCompanyAverage SalaryHourly RateJob Openings
1NVIDIA$209,406$100.684
2Google$194,200$93.3728
3Meta$193,727$93.145
4Bristol-Myers Squibb$178,290$85.72841
5VMware$177,416$85.301
6Exxon Mobil$175,656$84.454
7Microsoft$174,650$83.9713
8Zoetis$172,301$82.843
9Abbott$169,824$81.6577
10AEA Investors$168,631$81.0783
11Apple$167,846$80.70814
12Golden State Water$165,811$79.72
13Amphenol$165,595$79.61
14Bridgewater Associates$163,672$78.69
15UST Global$163,428$78.57
16General Electric$162,696$78.2251
17Fluke$162,058$77.91
18Mapbox$161,163$77.487
19Clean Harbors$159,864$76.8694
20CITGO Petroleum$155,812$74.915

4
Writing a General Manager Job Description

A good general manager job description should include a few things:

  • Summary of the role
  • List of responsibilities
  • Required skills and experience
Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a general manager job description:

Example of Full Job Description

Job DescriptionAs the restaurant general manager, you are the #1 leader! Your leadership of one of the world's largest brands is a big responsibility, but you can reach higher than you ever imagined with your KFC Family supporting you!
Restaurant General Manager Responsibilities: Ownership of your restaurant's success metrics and lead the restaurant team to reach goals Lead the guest experiences in your restaurant that includes friendly interactions, a clean restaurant, and fresh meals Grow and mentor your KFC family through training, development, and onboarding of new team members Lead communications of your team's goals, upcoming promotions, business updates, etc. Inspire the overall positive and collaborative family environment Partner with other Restaurant General Managers and Area Coaches to grow and move the business forward
Success Factors: Leads by example with high standards in customer service, food quality, and cleanliness True business partner and has an ownership mindset relating to business results Mentors and coaches team effectively through training and development resources. Builds a team through selecting and onboarding new hires Takes absolute pride in everything you do Goal-oriented leader that enjoys a fast-paced environment Deep appreciation and commitment to customer service and our guest's experience
Additional Info:
You must be 18 years old with a valid driver's license and reliable personal transportation.

Benefits: Free Medical insurance up to family-level of coverage Free employee life insurance Optional Dental & Vision insurance available Paid vacation after one year of employment 401(k) Employee Discount (free meals while working)
Supplemental Pay: Bonus pay based on performance
Keep in mind that this is just basic information. You'll find out more after you apply.

Independently owned franchised or licensed locations may have different requirements and are solely responsible for setting their restaurants' terms and conditions of employment.
This job posting is for a position in a restaurant that is independently owned and operated by a KFC franchisee.

5
Post A Job

There are various strategies that you can use to find the right general manager for your business:

  • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
  • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
  • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
  • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

Post your job online:

  • Post your general manager job on Zippia to find and recruit general manager candidates who meet your exact specifications.
  • Use field-specific websites.
  • Post a job on free websites.

6
Interview Process

To successfully recruit general managers, your first interview needs to be all about engaging with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

It's also a good idea to ask about candidates' special skills and talents to see if they map with your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7
Send A Job Offer And Onboard Your New General Manager

Once you've found the general manager candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary, as well as the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer needs to be competitive if you really like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8
Go Through The Checklist For The Hiring Process

  • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
  • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
  • Define job responsibilities and requirements
  • Establish budget and timeline
  • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
  • Write job description
  • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
  • Promote the job internally
  • Process applications through applicant tracking system
  • Review resumes and cover letters
  • Shortlist candidates for screening
  • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
  • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
  • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
  • Conduct background checks on top candidates
  • Check references of top candidates
  • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
  • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
  • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
  • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
  • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
  • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)
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Hiring General Managers FAQs

How Much Does A Good General Manager Cost?

A good general manager costs $34.41 an hour in the US. However, it can vary based on factors such as the general manager experience, abilities, industry, and the specific requirements of your business.

What Are The Duties Of A General Manager?

The duties of a general manager are:
  • Generate positive EBITDA and improve cash flow by managing costs and inventory.
  • Manage all recruiting and training efforts, and develop systems to track ROI comparison results.
  • Work as a FOH AGM and train to manage all staff functions including training, hiring, food and labor controls.

Should I Hire A General Manager With No Experience?

Yes, you should hire a general manager with no experience. Hiring an entry-level general manager with no experience offers versatility for your team. They may lack some qualifications, but are adaptable and have not yet formed problematic habits. However, more training may be required compared to experienced.

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