Restaurant Manager

JOB OVERVIEW

An energetic, creative, highly organized, sales-minded, and passionate individual about hospitality is required. This person will help grow Giordano’s presence in the local community, bring in new event business, plan memorable guest experiences, and work closely with the restaurant team to make each event successful.

The Group Sales Manager drives event sales, restaurant revenue, brand awareness, and community engagement in the Pigeon Forge, TM market. This role oversees private parties, large group events, catering, restaurant promotions, and retail initiatives while working closely with restaurant leadership and Giordano’s Marketing team.

Because Pigeon Forge is a high-volume seasonal tourism market, this position will focus on capturing vacationing families, tour groups, churches, youth sports teams, corporate gatherings, and other visitors traveling to the Great Smoky Mountains while maintaining strong relationships within the local community.

QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

ESSENTIAL

- 3–5 years of experience in restaurant operations, hospitality, event sales, marketing, or a related field preferred.

- Experience within a high-volume seasonal tourism market (e.g., Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, Branson) is preferred.

- Experience with private events, group sales, catering, or restaurant marketing required.

- Strong sales, communication, organization, and relationship-building skills.

- High outreach to national organizations to increase sales through tour operators, group tourism companies, travel agencies, national event planners, casinos, etc.

- Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

- Creative and comfortable developing new marketing and promotional ideas.

- Strong understanding local marketing to drive sales with schools, churches, hotels, event venues, chambers, associations, etc.

- Experience with event booking, reservation, or email marketing platforms preferred.

- Proficiency with Microsoft Office suites.

- Ability to remain calm, professional, and organized in a fast-paced restaurant environment.

- Comfortable networking and representing Giordano’s in the local community.

- Willingness to work evenings, weekends, and holidays based on event and restaurant needs.

- Ability to stand for extended periods and assist with event setup as needed.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

-Seek and secure private parties, large group events, corporate events, buyouts, catering opportunities, and community partnerships.

- Respond to event and group dining inquiries by phone, email, and other booking platforms.

- Manage the event booking process from initial inquiry through final billing.

- Conduct restaurant tours with prospective clients and assist with customizing menus and event details.

- Build and maintain relationships with local businesses, hotels, attractions, tourism organizations, event planners, and community groups.

- Identify new opportunities to generate event sales and increase restaurant revenue.

- Maintain an organized event calendar and track event sales and activity.

- Effectively communicate all group sales events to management and team members.

EVENT PLANNING & EXECUTION

- Coordinate event details including menus, pricing, floor plans, seating arrangements, decorations, entertainment, vendors, and audio/visual needs.

- Create detailed event orders and communicate event requirements to the restaurant team.

- Partner with the General Manager and restaurant management to develop profitable menus and ensure successful event execution.

- Act as a primary point of contact for event guests before and during their events.

- Work directly with restaurant management to ensure the team is prepared for and executes events according to plan.

- Attend and oversee major events, assisting with setup, greeting guests and hosts, coordinating vendors, and resolving issues as they arise.

- Ensure guest requests, allergies, food timing, and special accommodations are clearly communicated between the guest, kitchen, and front-of-house team.

TOURISM, MARKETING & BRAND DEVELOPMENT

- Build and maintain strategic relationships with the Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism, the Sevierville Chamber of Commerce, local hotels, cabin rental companies, and regional visitor centers.

- Develop and manage a local marketing calendar focused on increasing restaurant traffic, event bookings, and community awareness.

- Develop and execute local promotions, seasonal campaigns, holiday activations, and other revenue-driving events.

- Coordinate email marketing, promotional communications, and local outreach.

- Identify opportunities for local sponsorships, partnerships, and community involvement.

- Stay informed about local events, festivals, tourism activity, and other opportunities that could drive traffic to the restaurant.

Sales Target Execution & Financial Performance

• Drive revenue objectives:
• Analyze performance metrics:

ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITES

- Maintain accurate event and client information, contracts, pricing, and billing.

- Track event activity, sales, retail activity, and results.

- Maintain organized client and community partner information.

- Communicate regularly with restaurant leadership and the Giordano’s Marketing team regarding upcoming events, promotions, retail initiatives, and marketing activities.

- Ensure all event, retail, and marketing activities are completed accurately and on schedule.

SALARY

$68,000 - $75,000 (plus commission) + Bonus

-Range includes benefits and bonuses.

BENEFITS:

Medical - 401K + Company Match / BC/BS/ Dental/ Vision/ STD & LTD/ Life Insurance/ PTO/ IL Leave/ Free EAP/ Pet Insurance / Free Meals/ Quality of Life Schedule/ 6 weeks paid training, EEO

Giordano's Recruitment Hero Video:

https://giordanos.com/work-here/

VPC Pizza Management, LLC is committed to the principles of equal employment. It is our intent to maintain a work environment that is free of harassment, discrimination, or retaliation based on the following protected classes: age (40 and older), race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation (including transgender status, gender identity, or expression), pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation, and related medical conditions), physical or mental disability, genetic information (including testing and characteristics), veteran status, uniformed service member status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local laws. The Company is dedicated to the fulfillment of this policy in regard to all aspects of employment, including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, placement, transfer, training, promotion, rates of pay, other compensation, termination, and all other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment.