Job Description

** A cover letter is required to be considered for this position **

If you enjoy creating a lively, fun environment and can deliver results on-time with a smile, then Tropical Smoothie Café is the place for you! We’re looking for a top-notch leader who embraces our values and culture and believes in our motto that when you eat better, you feel better. The ideal candidate has an outgoing personality with a go-getter mindset that caters not only to our guests, but also to our team.

We welcome an entrepreneurial spirit that wants to learn & grow through active participation in a fast-paced environment. As a District Manager for Tropical Smoothie Cafe, you will develop your team to be the best they can be, ensure raving fan guests and run a profitable restaurant. Success in your position is built by recruiting people that believe Relationships Rule , who Think Bigger , committed to being All In and love giving High Fives . Encouraging the best out of your team is a must to ensure exceptional guest experience and achieving company financial goals. Our company leadership team must align with our mission which is to be the most beloved restaurant brand by sharing the fun & craveability of the tropics. It’s Tropic Time! Up for the challenge? Be a part of an expanding company, and join our team today!

We’re seeking a high-performing District Manager to oversee multiple Tropical Smoothie Café locations. This pivotal role drives operational excellence, guest satisfaction, financial performance, and team development across your assigned district.

If you're a strategic leader with a passion for building strong teams, creating best-in-class guest experiences, and scaling operational success—this is the opportunity for you. Apply today and join a brand that’s as vibrant, driven, and fun as the smoothies & food we serve.

SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS:

• Leadership – Proven ability to engage, coach, and develop others. Offers clear direction, inspires teams, and understands the power of active listening.

• Emotional Intelligence – Strong self-awareness and interpersonal insight. Navigates human behavior with empathy, professionalism, and balance.

• Communication – Communicates proactively and clearly across a range of expectations, goals, and feedback. Welcomes constructive criticism and uses it to grow.

• Problem Solving & Conflict Resolution – Skilled in identifying solutions that lead to win-win outcomes. Strong coaching and mediation abilities.

• Positive Attitude – Maintains a supportive and optimistic mindset in high-pressure or challenging situations. Helps foster a culture of excellence.

• Resilience & Adaptability – Demonstrates grit, flexibility, and perseverance. Quickly adjusts in dynamic environments and recovers from setbacks.

• Detail Orientation & Organization – Sharp attention to detail with the ability to prioritize, manage time, and follow through with urgency. Plans ahead to ensure success.

• Creativity & Innovation – Thinks outside the box to improve systems, processes, and team development. Continuously seeks new ideas for growth.

• Multi-tasking & Prioritization – Manages multiple time-sensitive priorities effectively while remaining focused on what drives the most impact.

• Customer Experience & Brand Alignment – A deep appreciation for outstanding guest experiences and upholding brand values with consistency.

• Strategic Thinking & Data Analysis – Able to interpret performance data and develop clear, effective action plans to drive results.

• Operational Systems Management – Strong working knowledge of labor controls, COGS, scheduling systems, and operational compliance.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

Required:

• Minimum 5 years of restaurant management experience, preferably in a multi-unit or high-volume setting
• Demonstrated leadership in developing and leading high-performing teams
• Proven ability to drive operational performance, guest satisfaction, and profitability
• Experience in recruiting, hiring, onboarding, and training staff
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and cloud-based tools for scheduling, payroll, and reporting
• Strong understanding of front-of-house and back-of-house operations
• Track record of managing labor costs and cost of goods (COGS) effectively
• Competency in reading and interpreting business reports and budgets
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Basic computer literacy, including Word, Excel, and Outlook
• High school diploma required; Associate’s degree or higher preferred

Preferred:

• Experience with new store openings and building out training programs
• Background in franchise operations or fast-casual concepts
• Familiarity with Tropical Smoothie Café culture, systems, and expectations
• ServSafe® certification preferred (or willingness to obtain upon hire)

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Operational Leadership

• Serve as a visible, hands-on leader across all cafés - actively participating in operations, coaching teams, and setting the standard for excellence.
• Maintain a strong presence in each café, especially during peak hours, to provide real-time support, observe service flow, and model leadership behavior.
• Lead routine café walkthroughs with GMs, using data, audit results, and direct observations to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Facilitate weekly GM meetings and monthly crew meetings to drive company alignment, measure results, share updates, and energize the team. Weekly GM meetings are also meant to include discussions that address staffing levels, training needs, and leadership challenges.
• Support year around promotions through direct involvement in training, rollout, and follow-up execution.
• Provide on-site troubleshooting when needed, ensuring operational continuity and guest experience are never compromised.
• Monitor and optimize all key metrics: labor, COGS, speed of service, guest satisfaction, and sales

People & Culture

• Hire, onboard, and develop management team
• Active Participation in the recruitment, onboarding, and training of GM and Assistant Managers.
• Provide in-person support during new hire onboarding and ensure all employee documentation is submitted prior to first shifts.
• Actively assist GMs with recruiting strategies, scheduling coverage, and performance-based staffing decisions.
• Deliver coaching and corrective feedback in the moment, with clear documentation and follow-up to drive improvement.
• Partner with the Director of Operations on all GM/AGM hiring decisions, promotions, and compensation reviews.
• Set annual performance goals and oversee GM evaluations and pay adjustments
• Foster a positive and productive workplace culture rooted in Tropical Smoothie values
• Financial Oversight
• Drive district profitability by managing labor, food costs, and vendor relationships
• Review budgets, order guides, and vendor pricing for accuracy and cost control
• Guest Experience
• Champion a guest focus culture at every location
• Frequently monitor satisfaction scores and implement strategies for ongoing improvement. Use real-time guest feedback to adjust operations and coach GMs.
• Resolve guest issues quickly and ensure feedback creates team development opportunities
• Work alongside café teams to troubleshoot bottlenecks, improve speed of service, and elevate hospitality during peak & non-peak shifts.

Compliance & Support

• Ensure all cafés operate within brand standards and regulatory requirements
• Support new store openings and step in as interim GM when needed
• Oversee all emergency response and closure protocols, ensuring frontline teams are fully prepared and supported.
• Maintain Serve Safe certification and complete quarterly audits

COMPENSATION:

Base Salary: $65,000-$70,000/year (biweekly pay)

Profit-Sharing Bonus: Quarterly (district-wide)

Benefits:

• Employer contribution toward health insurance
• Optional dental & vision coverage (employee-paid)
• Paid Maternity/Paternity Leave
• PTO annually
• Sick leave accommodations & corporate event travel

Work Schedule:

• Minimum 40 hours/week with flexibility on nights, weekends, holidays
• Weekly travel to all cafés under your district (starting with 3 cafés, scaling to 5+ within the year)

Tropical Smoothie was born on a beach. There was no art on the walls, because we had no walls. The view was all the art we needed. That first blender was almost as loud as the surf. Fresh fruit came in by the basket, strapped to the front of our cruiser bicycles. Between volleyball games, walks in the sand and dips in the water – they lined up. And the smoothies poured out. We learned a lot on that beach. Most of all, we learned a better way to live. Take things easy, soak up the sunshine and be who you are. We learned the need to a getaway is not a once-a-year-thing – it’s an everyday thing. If we can inspire people to eat better and live better, if we can help the whole world feel a little more like that beach, then we will have done something pretty rad. That’s the idea. That’s Tropical Smoothie Café.

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