Restaurant General Manager Recruiting
Find leaders who understand the operation, the team, and the standards your guests expect. Whitton Recruiting (WR) recruits restaurant general managers nationwide on a contingent basis: you pay when your hire starts, with terms agreed before your search begins.
Who we recruit for
We recruit general managers, multi-unit leaders, FOH & BOH leadership, and other support roles across hotels/resorts and restaurants. See hospitality recruiting page.
What a great GM search screens for
A strong general manager on paper is not always the right leader for your concept, location, or team. Every WR introduction comes with a considered candidate presentation and résumé that covers:
- Role fit and relevant experience
- Motivation for the move
- Aligned compensation expectations
- Interview availability
- Work environment and career history
Candidates are interviewed and screened against your role before you meet them. We can also coordinate references and relevant credential checks.
How a WR GM search works
- Set the target. Align on the role, property or concept, team needs, compensation, and timeline before the search begins.
- Meet screened candidates. We source and interview hospitality candidates. You receive a résumé and presentation covering fit, motivation, pay expectations, and availability.
- Get to the start date. We coordinate interviews, collect feedback, and support offers, start dates, and the transition into your operation.
First qualified candidates, typically in 48 hours after completed intake and a signed agreement. Specialized and senior searches may take longer.
You shouldn't have to chase your recruiter
| When | What happens |
|---|---|
| Every week | A dedicated account manager checks in. Every Friday, you receive your candidate pipeline, interview stages, and next actions. |
| Throughout the search | We touch base with candidates every 48 hours or less, share feedback, and help schedule interviews. |
| After the hire | We check in during the replacement-protection period and help address issues early. |
Pricing
Contingent search with no upfront recruiting fee. Pay when your hire starts. Choose 20% of first-year salary with a 90-day guarantee, 17% with a 60-day guarantee, or 15% with a 30-day replacement only. See the full terms on hospitality recruiter fees page.
Summary only; the signed fee agreement controls.
Example placements
Director of Operations, Better Pizza LLC. $75,000 annual salary. Our team surfaced a highly capable regional leader who had outgrown her franchise role and needed someone to take a chance on her. When we connected her with the hiring manager, he remembered being served by her at a restaurant years earlier.
Director of Food & Beverage, Lajitas Golf Resort (Lajitas, Texas). $110,000 annual salary. A remote Texas resort needed a food and beverage leader willing to live on site. We filled the role in under two weeks.
Director of Sales and Marketing, Stanford Hotel Group. $200,000 annual salary. We recognized the value of a candidate's local relationships and market knowledge. He earned the offer and went on to perform well in the role.
Individual placement outcomes; timelines and compensation vary by search.
More examples: case studies
FAQ
Do you recruit general managers for multi-unit restaurant groups?
Yes. WR recruits general managers, multi-unit leaders, FOH & BOH leadership, and other support roles across hotels/resorts and restaurants nationwide.
How does your fee work?
Our hospitality searches are contingent with no upfront recruiting fee. You pay when your hire starts. Choose 20% (90-day guarantee), 17% (60-day guarantee), or 15% (30-day replacement only) of the hired candidate's first-year salary. Summary only; the signed fee agreement controls.
How fast will I see GM candidates?
We typically present first qualified candidates within 48 hours once intake is complete and the fee agreement is signed. Specialized and senior searches may take longer.
What if the GM doesn't work out?
It depends on the option: a refund by departure date or a credit for the 20% and 17% options, or a one-time replacement search for the 15% option. Qualifying resignations or terminations only; layoffs excluded.
Can you recruit for remote or rural locations?
Yes. We work with hospitality employers across the United States and confirm the role, market, compensation, and requirements with you before starting.
Let's talk about your next GM hire
15 minutes with our team to discuss the role, your timeline, and whether we're a fit.
Book 15 minutes with our team, or call 509-953-0100.