What Does a Cracker Barrel General Manager Do?

Cracker Barrel is a chain of restaurants and gift shops that offer a unique dining experience with a Southern-style menu. The company is known for its friendly service and home-style cooking.

A Cracker Barrel General Manager is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the restaurant. This includes managing staff, ensuring customer satisfaction, and maintaining a safe and clean environment. The General Manager is also responsible for developing and implementing strategies to increase sales and profitability. They must also ensure that all policies and procedures are followed and that the restaurant is in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

Cracker Barrel General Manager Job Duties

A Cracker Barrel General Manager typically has a wide range of responsibilities, which can include:

• Lead and motivate a team of employees to ensure the highest level of customer service is provided
• Develop, implement, and maintain operational standards for all areas of the restaurant
• Monitor daily operations to ensure compliance with company policies and procedures
• Ensure that all safety and sanitation guidelines are followed
• Manage inventory levels and order supplies as needed
• Train new staff members on proper food handling techniques, customer service protocols, and other job-related tasks
• Handle customer complaints in a professional manner
• Create weekly schedules for staff members based on business needs
• Track sales performance and analyze data to identify opportunities for improvement
• Oversee financial transactions and manage cash flow
• Prepare reports for upper management regarding store performance
• Participate in local community events and activities to promote the brand

Cracker Barrel General Manager Salary

The salary for a General Manager at Cracker Barrel is determined by a variety of factors, including the size of the store, the location of the store, the store’s performance, and the experience and qualifications of the individual. Additionally, the company’s internal policies and procedures may also play a role in the salary of a General Manager.

• Median Annual Salary: $93,442 ($44.92/hour)
• Top 10% Annual Salary: $117,600 ($56.54/hour)

Cracker Barrel General Manager Job Requirements

To be considered for the position of General Manager at Cracker Barrel, applicants must have a minimum of five years of restaurant management experience. This experience should include a proven track record of success in leading a team, managing operations, and achieving financial goals. In addition, applicants must possess a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or a related field. A valid driver’s license and reliable transportation are also required.

Cracker Barrel also requires that all General Managers have a thorough understanding of the restaurant industry, including food safety and sanitation regulations. They must also have excellent customer service and communication skills, as well as the ability to motivate and lead a team. Finally, applicants must be able to work flexible hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays.

Cracker Barrel General Manager Skills

Cracker Barrel General Manager employees need the following skills in order to be successful:

Performance Management: Cracker Barrel managers use performance management skills to help their employees improve their work and achieve their goals. General managers often use performance management to create employee development plans, which outline the skills employees need to develop and the goals they need to achieve. Managers can also use performance management to evaluate employee performance and provide feedback.

Sales: Cracker Barrel restaurants depend on sales to generate revenue. General managers oversee the sales of the restaurant and are responsible for increasing sales and revenue. They may develop sales strategies and implement them to increase sales. They may also train and coach sales associates on effective sales techniques.

Communication Skills: As a general manager, you communicate with many people on a daily basis, including employees, customers, suppliers and other managers. Effective communication skills can help you convey your ideas clearly and understand the ideas of others. You can use communication skills in many aspects of your job, including training employees, developing employee performance evaluations and communicating with customers about their dining experience.

Financial Reporting: Cracker Barrel restaurants are part of a larger company, so general managers are responsible for producing financial reports for their locations. This involves tracking sales, expenses and profit margins. General managers also use financial data to make decisions about the restaurant, such as whether to remodel or expand.

Leadership: As a general manager, you are a leader of a team of managers and staff. You are responsible for the overall success of the restaurant and the well-being of your employees. Your leadership skills can help you motivate your team and encourage them to work together to achieve common goals. You can also use your leadership skills to train new managers and help them develop their own leadership skills.

Cracker Barrel General Manager Work Environment

Cracker Barrel General Managers are responsible for the overall operations of their store. This includes managing staff, ensuring customer satisfaction, and maintaining the store’s financial performance. General Managers typically work a 40-hour workweek, but may be required to work additional hours to meet the demands of the business. They may also be required to travel to other stores or attend meetings and conferences. The work environment is fast-paced and can be stressful at times, but the rewards of seeing the store succeed are great. General Managers must be able to handle multiple tasks and prioritize their work in order to ensure the store runs smoothly.

Cracker Barrel General Manager Trends

Here are three trends influencing how Cracker Barrel General Manager employees work.

Remote Working is Here to Stay

The pandemic has forced many businesses to adopt remote working, and Cracker Barrel is no exception. As a general manager, it’s important to understand the implications of this trend for your business.

Remote working can help reduce costs associated with office space and commuting, while also allowing employees to work from anywhere in the world. It also allows managers to better manage their teams by providing more flexibility and autonomy. However, there are challenges that come with remote working, such as communication issues, lack of collaboration, and difficulty managing performance.

It’s important for Cracker Barrel general managers to be aware of these potential pitfalls and develop strategies to ensure successful remote working. This includes setting clear expectations, establishing effective communication channels, and creating an environment where team members feel supported and connected.

Increasing Focus on Customer Experience

As the restaurant industry continues to evolve, customer experience is becoming increasingly important. Cracker Barrel General Managers must be aware of this trend and focus on creating a positive customer experience in order to remain competitive. This includes providing excellent service, offering quality food, and ensuring that customers feel welcome and appreciated.

General Managers should also strive to create an atmosphere that encourages repeat visits by making sure that their restaurants are clean and inviting. Additionally, they should use technology such as online ordering systems and mobile apps to make it easier for customers to interact with the business. By focusing on customer experience, Cracker Barrel General Managers can ensure that their restaurants remain successful in the future.

Better Data Drives Improved Decision Making

As a Cracker Barrel General Manager, it is important to understand the emerging trend of better data driving improved decision making. With access to more detailed and accurate data, managers can make decisions that are based on facts rather than intuition or guesswork. This data-driven approach allows for greater efficiency in operations, as well as increased customer satisfaction.

Data-driven decision making also helps managers identify areas where improvements can be made. By analyzing customer feedback, sales trends, and other metrics, managers can pinpoint areas of opportunity and develop strategies to capitalize on them. Additionally, this data can help managers create targeted marketing campaigns and promotions that will drive revenue growth.

Advancement Prospects

As a Cracker Barrel General Manager, you will be responsible for the overall operations of the restaurant. You will be in charge of hiring and training staff, managing the budget, and ensuring that the restaurant meets all safety and health regulations. As you gain experience, you may be able to move up to a higher-level position, such as a Regional Manager or a District Manager. These positions involve overseeing multiple restaurants and managing a larger budget. With more experience, you may even be able to move up to a corporate position, such as a Director of Operations or a Vice President of Operations.

Interview Questions

Here are five common Cracker Barrel General Manager interview questions and answers.

1. Can you tell me about your previous customer service experience?

Customer service is an important skill for a general manager to have. The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience in customer service and how you’ve used it to benefit the company or organization you worked for previously. When answering, consider mentioning any awards or recognition you received for your customer service skills.

Example: “I was working as a server at a restaurant when I first started my career. My manager noticed that I had great people skills and asked me if I would be interested in becoming a hostess instead. I accepted the position and quickly learned how to use my communication skills to help customers feel welcome and comfortable while they waited for their table. Eventually, I became a lead hostess and helped train new employees on how to provide excellent customer service.”

2. Describe a situation where someone came to you with a problem and asked for advice.

This question can help the interviewer understand how you approach challenges and solve problems. Use examples from your experience as a general manager to highlight your problem-solving skills, leadership qualities and ability to inspire others.

Example: “When I was working at my previous job, one of my employees came to me with a challenge they were having with their work schedule. They wanted more hours but didn’t want to give up any of their current shifts. After talking through the situation with them, we decided that it would be best for them to take on an additional shift so they could get the extra hours they needed without giving up any of their existing ones. This helped both of us because they got the extra hours they wanted while still maintaining all of their current shifts.”

3. As a general manager, what kind of personality traits would you look for when hiring new employees?

This question can help the interviewer understand your hiring process and how you select employees who fit well with the company culture. Use examples from past experiences to explain what kind of personality traits you look for in new hires, especially if they align with Cracker Barrel’s values.

Example: “I would first look at their resume and qualifications to see if they have any experience working in a restaurant or food service setting. I also like to ask them about their customer service skills and interpersonal abilities. In my last role as a general manager, I hired an employee who had no previous experience but was eager to learn. After interviewing her, I learned that she had excellent communication skills and was very friendly. She ended up being one of our best servers.”

4. Do you have experience managing a team of 30 or more?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have experience managing a large team of employees. If you do, share your previous experiences and how you handled them. If you don’t, explain what type of challenges you might face in this role.

Example: “In my current position as assistant manager at a local restaurant, I manage a team of 20 servers and bartenders. We work together to ensure that our customers are always happy with their dining experience. In my last position as a server, I also helped train new employees on proper customer service techniques. This experience has given me valuable insight into how to effectively lead a larger team.”

5. What is your management style?

This question can help the interviewer determine if your management style is similar to that of Cracker Barrel. Your answer should include a brief description of your management style and how it has helped you achieve success in previous roles.

Example: “I believe my management style is collaborative, which helps me get buy-in from my team members for projects and initiatives. I also think my management style is democratic because I value everyone’s opinion when making decisions as a manager. In my last role, this management style helped me create an open environment where employees felt comfortable sharing their ideas and opinions.”