Hourly Restaurant Manager

Hourly Restaurant Manager | $18.00/hr DOE | Full-time | Knoxville (Kingston Pike) | Opening November 2026

Lead a brand-new team at Knoxville’s newest Golden Corral. This entry-level management role puts you on the opening leadership team in November 2026, with cross-training in every area of the restaurant and a structured management certification program.

This entry-level management position includes cross-training in all restaurant functions and hands-on experience with inventory, scheduling, ordering, receiving, storage and menu planning. You’ll work closely with the General Manager and leadership team while completing a structured management certification program built for long-term career growth.

This is a rare chance to get in on the ground floor. Everyone on the opening team starts new together, trains with Golden Corral’s opening team and is there when the doors open for the very first time.

Pay + benefits

• Starting pay from $18.00 per hour, DOE (depending on experience)
• Medical, dental and vision insurance, available the first of the month after hire
• Paid vacation
• Free meals
• Structured management certification program
• Career development and growth opportunities

Responsibilities

• Lead daily front-of-house and back-of-house operations for an exceptional guest experience
• Serve as Manager on Duty and run opening, closing and shift execution
• Coach, develop and recognize team members, and support hiring, onboarding, training and scheduling
• Uphold company standards for food quality, food safety, cleanliness, maintenance and guest service
• Handle cash procedures, manager-level transactions and guest concerns
• Support inventory, ordering, receiving, storage and restaurant profitability

Who we’re looking for

• 2+ years of experience as an Assistant Restaurant Manager or in a similar restaurant leadership role
• Food safety certification required
• Strong communication, organization and the ability to juggle priorities in a high-volume restaurant
• Experience with scheduling, inventory and food ordering preferred
• New restaurant opening experience preferred
• High school diploma or equivalent preferred
• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Available for days, evenings, weekends and holidays, including Sundays

Schedule

Full-time. Various shifts, including days, evenings, weekends and holidays. Weekends are our busiest days, so availability on weekends and holidays, including Sundays, is required.

How hiring works

1. Apply here on ZipRecruiter and include your restaurant leadership experience.
2. Our recruiting team calls or texts you to set up your interview.
3. Interview at our hiring center: Best Western, 3rd floor, 420 N Peters Rd, Knoxville, TN 37922. Hiring days are Thursday, October 1, 8 and 22, 10 AM to 6 PM. Interviews are at the hotel, not the restaurant.
4. Train with the opening team and help open the doors in November 2026.

About Golden Corral

Golden Corral® is the nation’s largest buffet restaurant chain and a family restaurant built on service to others. We treat every guest like a guest in our home, and we invest in the growth of our people. Golden Corral: the only one for everyone.

Golden Corral is an equal opportunity employer and participates in E-Verify. This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights under federal employment laws; see the Know Your Rights notice at https://www.eeoc.gov/poster. Recruiting support provided by Self Opportunity Inc.