Client: Delarosa
Location: Palo Alto, CA
Role: Assistant General Manager (AGM)
Salary: $75K–$85K Base
Bonus: Up to $25K annually based on restaurant performance
Urgency: High priority search – client moving quickly

Role Overview

Delarosa is seeking a strong Assistant General Manager to support leadership of a high-volume, upscale casual restaurant in Palo Alto. This is a high-visibility role within a growing and innovative restaurant group.

The AGM will operate as a true operator and culture leader, responsible for supporting the full restaurant operation while driving team development, guest experience, and operational execution.

The ideal candidate is a confident, guest-facing leader with a captain mindset who takes ownership of the business, develops people, and leads by example.

Key Responsibilities

The AGM is expected to operate as a full operational leader within the restaurant.

Responsibilities include:

Supporting and leading FOH and BOH operations
Owning employee training and development programs
Ensuring exceptional guest experience and hospitality standards
Managing labor, food costs, and operational efficiency
Supporting P&L management and financial performance
Overseeing HR, administrative functions, and scheduling
Supporting local marketing initiatives
Building a strong team culture and leadership pipeline

AGMs must be comfortable helping manage a $6–7M annual revenue operation.

The new Palo Alto location is targeting $100K in weekly revenue.

Candidate Profile

Leadership Style

Captain mindset — takes ownership and leads decisively
Lead-by-example operator who earns team respect
Strong communicator who speaks directly and clearly
Builds trust and connection with staff quickly
Proactive leader who does not wait for direction

Personality & Presence

Extremely guest-facing and confident interacting with anyone
Engaging, approachable, and energetic
Demonstrates strong hospitality instincts
Has a clear spark and leadership presence

Experience Background

Ideal candidates typically come from:

Upscale casual or polished hospitality environments
Strong independent restaurant groups
Chef-driven restaurant groups

Examples of strong backgrounds include:

Michael Mina Group
Union Square Hospitality Group
Che Fico
Baku Restaurant Group
Strong independent restaurant operators

Corporate restaurant experience is acceptable if the candidate shows flexibility and entrepreneurial thinking.

Operational Skillset

Candidates should demonstrate:

Strong food, wine, and beverage knowledge
Experience managing $5M+ restaurant revenue
Experience leading large hospitality teams
Comfort owning the entire operation (FOH + BOH)

Additional Preferences

Spanish speaking is a plus
Ideally early 40s or younger leadership profile
Strong hospitality polish and professional presence

Schedule & Work Expectations

Approximately 55 hours per week
Shifts typically 8–10 hours
Highly engaged leadership presence expected on the floor

Compensation & Benefits

Base Salary:
$75,000 – $85,000

Bonus:
Up to $25,000 annually based on restaurant performance
Metrics include:

Sales performance
Labor management
Cost of goods (COGS)
Operational quality

Benefits

401(k) offered after 90 days (effective March 15)
FSA offered

Training

Training period typically lasts 4–6 weeks.

Interview Process

Step 1: Video Interview with Rafael

Step 2: In-person interview with the General Manager

Step 3: Final interview with Eddie or Khalid

Khalid is described as very personable but extremely sharp. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their leadership presence and what differentiates them.

What the Client Is Really Looking For

The client wants a leader who:

Takes full ownership of the restaurant
Connects well with staff and builds loyalty
Leads decisively instead of waiting for direction
Communicates clearly and avoids fluff
Brings energy, initiative, and accountability

They want someone all-in on hospitality and career growth, not someone just filling a management role.

Example of Strong Candidate Profile

Abi Capristo

Strong entrepreneurial leader with multi-unit experience.

Highlights:

Promoted from GM to District Manager after driving 20–25% revenue growth
Strong P&L ownership and menu optimization experience
Excellent talent development track record
Known for identifying potential and developing internal leaders
Began career as a host and worked up through leadership

Demonstrates the analytical leadership, operational ownership, and people development focus the client values.

Example of Developmental Candidate Profile

Alexis Hyatt

Entrepreneurial hospitality operator transitioning from ownership.

Highlights:

12+ years restaurant leadership experience
Operated Gentilly ($90K monthly revenue) and Arizmendi Bakery ($1.2M annually)
Managed teams of up to 15 staff
Strong operational discipline: inventory, labor, vendor negotiation
Developed profitable menus and cocktail programs
Fluent in Italian with international hospitality exposure

Leadership traits:

Calm and composed problem solver
Highly organized and process oriented
Strong people development focus

Motivation for transition:
Moving from ownership into a structured leadership role where she can focus on hospitality and operational excellence.