General Manager - Sonic Drive-In

We are seeking an experienced General Manager to lead a high-volume Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) / Drive-In concept in Baton Rouge. This role is ideal for a proven restaurant operator who understands that a General Manager is responsible for the business as a whole—not simply managing shifts.

The successful candidate will take ownership of P&L performance, sales growth, labor and food costs, staffing, team development, guest satisfaction, speed of service, and operational execution.

Compensation & Benefits

• Base Salary: $45,000–$55,000 annually
• Performance Bonus: Monthly performance-based bonus opportunity

Required Experience – SONIC Management Required

• Current or former SONIC General Manager, OR
• Current SONIC Assistant General Manager with demonstrated readiness for promotion to General Manager.
• SONIC management experience is required.

Key Responsibilities

Business & Financial Leadership

• Take full ownership of restaurant P&L and financial performance.
• Drive sales growth, profitability, and overall restaurant results.
• Monitor and control food, labor, and operating costs.
• Analyze business performance and implement strategies to improve results.
• Manage scheduling and labor to meet business demands while controlling costs.

Restaurant Operations

• Lead all day-to-day restaurant operations in a high-volume QSR environment.
• Ensure consistent execution of brand standards, food quality, cleanliness, and safety.
• Drive speed of service and operational efficiency.
• Maintain strong execution during peak periods and high-volume shifts.
• Ensure the restaurant consistently delivers an exceptional guest experience.

Team Leadership & Development

• Recruit, interview, hire, train, coach, and develop restaurant employees.
• Build a strong management team and develop future leaders.
• Establish clear performance expectations and hold team members accountable.
• Improve employee retention through effective leadership, recognition, and development.
• Lead by example and create a positive, high-performance culture.

Guest Experience

• Ensure consistently excellent service and guest satisfaction.
• Address customer concerns quickly and professionally.
• Monitor service execution and identify opportunities to improve the guest experience.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a proven SONIC operator who can demonstrate measurable success running a high-volume Drive-In. They should be able to confidently discuss how they have:

• Improved P&L performance and profitability
• Increased sales and restaurant traffic
• Reduced labor and food costs
• Improved speed of service and operational execution
• Built and retained strong management teams
• Developed employees into future leaders
• Improved guest satisfaction and overall restaurant performance

We are looking for someone with a true business-owner mindset who takes accountability for the entire restaurant and consistently looks for ways to improve performance.

The Restaurant Zone is a leading hospitality recruitment agency specializing in connecting top-tier talent with restaurants, hotels, and hospitality groups across the United States. We partner with growing brands and established operators to deliver high-quality candidates for management, executive, and specialized roles. Our team combines industry expertise, a vast candidate network, and a results-driven approach to help businesses build strong, reliable teams. At The Restaurant Zone, we focus on speed, quality, and long-term fit—ensuring both clients and candidates succeed.