Fish 101 Carlsbad

Assistant General Manager / Restaurant Manager

Fish 101 – Carlsbad, California

Compensation: $75,000–$80,000 annually, plus performance bonus
Employment Type: Full-time

Fish 101 is looking for an experienced, hands-on Assistant General Manager / Restaurant Manager to help lead our Carlsbad restaurant.

As Fish 101 expands into restaurant with a full bar, we're looking for a hands-on Assistant General Manager who is excited to help build both an exceptional dining experience and a vibrant bar program. Experience leading bar operations is a strong plus but is not required.

We are a locally owned, coastal seafood restaurant built around fresh ingredients, genuine hospitality and the North County lifestyle. Our culture is casual but professional. We care about great food, strong teamwork, community involvement and creating a restaurant where both guests and employees want to return.

This is not a position for someone who wants to manage from the office. We are looking for a leader who is visible on the floor, supports the kitchen, develops employees and takes ownership of the restaurant’s daily performance.

The Opportunity

The Assistant General Manager works closely with the General Manager and ownership to lead restaurant operations, develop the management team and maintain Fish 101 standards.

The right candidate will have the opportunity to grow into a General Manager or multi-unit leadership role as the company expands.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead daily front-of-house and overall restaurant operations
• Maintain a strong presence on the floor during busy services
• Support the General Manager with hiring, onboarding and employee development
• Train and coach shift leads, cashiers, runners, bussers and bartenders
• Build schedules that meet business needs and labor targets
• Monitor labor throughout each shift and make timely staffing adjustments
• Maintain high standards for hospitality, cleanliness, food quality and speed of service
• Handle guest concerns professionally and resolve issues quickly
• Support inventory, ordering, receiving and cost-control procedures
• Help manage food, beverage and labor costs
• Conduct opening, closing and shift-transition walkthroughs
• Hold employees and managers accountable in a fair and consistent manner
• Promote a positive, energetic and team-oriented workplace
• Support compliance with health, safety and employment requirements
• Help execute promotions, local partnerships and community events

What We Are Looking For

• At least 2-3 years of restaurant management experience
• Experience as an Assistant General Manager, Restaurant Manager, Service Manager or senior Assistant Manager
• Experience leading a team of 20 or more employees preferred
• Strong understanding of scheduling, labor management and daily restaurant financials
• Ability to lead high-volume lunch and dinner services
• Strong training, coaching and communication skills
• Comfortable addressing performance and accountability issues
• Calm and professional when handling guest complaints or operational problems
• Organized, dependable and proactive
• Available to work weekends, holidays and a flexible restaurant schedule
• Experience with seafood, fast-casual, polished casual or high-volume restaurants is a plus
• Experience with Square POS is helpful but not required

Bonus Qualifications

While not required, candidates with the following experience are strongly encouraged to apply:

• Experience managing a full-service bar or beverage program
• Knowledge of liquor, wine, beer, and craft cocktail operations
• Experience hiring, training, coaching, and scheduling bartenders
• Understanding of beverage cost controls, inventory management, ordering, and liquor variance
• Knowledge of responsible alcohol service, ID verification, and California ABC compliance
• Experience creating bar standards, opening and closing procedures, and maintaining consistent beverage quality
• Passion for developing an outstanding bar program that complements a chef-driven seafood menu

Our Ideal Leadership Style

You lead from the front and are willing to jump in wherever needed.

You enjoy building relationships with employees and guests while still maintaining clear expectations. You understand that great hospitality and strong financial performance must work together.

You take ownership, solve problems and do not wait to be told what needs attention.

Compensation and Benefits

• Base salary of $75,000–$80,000, depending on experience
• Quarterly performance bonus opportunity
• Paid time off
• Employee dining benefits
• Leadership development and direct access to ownership
• Clear advancement path to General Manager or multi-unit leadership
• Stable, locally owned company with growth opportunities
• Coastal North County work environment
• No late-night nightclub schedule

Performance Expectations

The AGM will help the restaurant achieve goals in the following areas:

• Guest satisfaction and hospitality
• Labor performance
• Food and beverage cost controls
• Employee retention and development
• Cleanliness and safety
• Training completion
• Speed and accuracy of service
• Restaurant profitability

Physical Requirements & Work Environment

This is an active, hands-on leadership position. The Assistant General Manager is expected to spend the majority of each shift working alongside the team in the dining room, bar, and kitchen.

Candidates should be able to:

• Stand and walk for extended periods, often up to 8–10 hours per shift
• Lift, carry, push, and pull up to 50 pounds with or without reasonable accommodation
• Frequently bend, reach, twist, stoop, kneel, and climb short ladders or step stools
• Work in a fast-paced environment while managing multiple priorities
• Safely use restaurant equipment and assist with moving supplies, beverage cases, and inventory
• Work in varying temperatures, including walk-in coolers, freezers, kitchens, and outdoor dining areas
• Work a flexible schedule, including mornings, evenings, weekends, holidays, and occasional extended shifts as business needs require

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

About Fish 101

Fish 101 is a North County seafood restaurant inspired by the local fishing, diving, surfing and beach community. We serve high-quality seafood in an approachable environment and believe ingredients should be allowed to shine without unnecessary complication.

Our leaders are expected to be professional, hardworking, community-minded and committed to developing their teams.

How to Apply

Please submit your résumé along with a brief note answering the following questions:

1. What do you enjoy most about working in restaurants?
2. What size team and sales volume have you previously managed?
3. How do you balance hospitality with labor and cost controls?
4. Why are you interested in joining a locally owned restaurant group?

Qualified candidates will be contacted for an initial phone interview followed by an in-person interview and working interview.

Fish 101 is a locally owned coastal seafood restaurant inspired by the surfing,diving fishing, and beach lifestyle of North County San Diego.

Our new Carlsbad restaurant will feature a full-service bar, fresh local seafood, and a hospitality-first culture. We're building a team that values teamwork, accountability, and genuine hospitality over corporate bureaucracy.