Restaurant Manager

About the Company

Foodmark is the Food & Beverage division of Landmark Group, one of the Middle East's most iconic and influential retail and hospitality conglomerates. With a deep commitment to delivering exceptional dining experiences, Foodmark curates and operates a portfolio of distinctive restaurant concepts across the UAE and the wider GCC region. Driven by a passion for great food, warm hospitality, and operational excellence, Foodmark continues to grow as a leading force in the region's dynamic and competitive casual dining landscape.

Foodmark is proudly home to two celebrated dining brands. Zafran Indian Kitchen is an award-winning, homegrown concept inspired by the rich, robust flavors of North-West Frontier cuisine. Since its launch in 2010, Zafran has redefined Indian dining in the UAE, earning prestigious accolades including the BBC Good Food Middle East Award and What's On Dubai Award for Best Indian Restaurant, and today operates five locations across UAE and Saudi Arabia. Carluccio's, the iconic British-Italian casual dining brand founded by Antonio and Priscilla Carluccio, brings the heart of authentic Italian food and culture to the Middle East — built on the philosophy of MOF MOF, Minimum of Fuss, Maximum of Flavour. Foodmark holds the franchise rights for Carluccio's, operating restaurants in UAE and Qatar as part of a globally recognized brand with over 30 locations worldwide.

About the Role

Foodmark is seeking a passionate, commercially driven, and guest-obsessed Restaurant Manager to lead operations at either our Zafran Indian Kitchen or Carluccio's outlet in Dubai. This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who lives and breathes casual dining and is committed to delivering best-in-class guest experiences while driving strong business performance.

You will be the face of the restaurant — leading from the front, inspiring your team, and ensuring every guest leaves with a lasting impression of the brand.

Responsibilities

Operations & Brand Standards

• Oversee all day-to-day restaurant operations across breakfast, lunch, and dinner services
• Ensure strict adherence to Foodmark, Zafran, and Carluccio's brand standards across food quality, presentation, ambiance, and service
• Maintain compliance with Dubai Municipality health, safety, and food hygiene regulations at all times
• Implement and monitor HACCP standards, food handler certifications, and all relevant licensing requirements
• Manage all opening, service, and closing procedures consistently across all shifts
• Liaise with kitchen leadership to ensure seamless front-of-house and back-of-house collaboration

People Leadership & Culture

• Recruit, onboard, train, and develop a high-performing, multicultural FOH team
• Conduct regular performance reviews, coaching sessions, and team briefings
• Build a positive, inclusive, and energetic team culture that reflects the spirit of the brand
• Manage staff scheduling, shift planning, and leave management to ensure optimal coverage
• Handle HR matters including disciplinary processes, grievances, and recognition initiatives
• Collaborate with the Foodmark HR team to ensure compliance with UAE labor law

Guest Experience Excellence

• Champion a guest-first culture across every touchpoint of the dining journey
• Be highly visible on the floor during peak service periods — engaging with guests, resolving complaints, and creating memorable moments
• Monitor and actively manage guest feedback across all digital platforms including Google, TripAdvisor, Zomato, and Delivery Aggregators
• Drive consistent improvement in guest satisfaction scores and net promoter scores (NPS)
• Ensure the casual, warm, and welcoming dining atmosphere that defines the brand is maintained at all times

Financial & Commercial Management

• Own and manage the restaurant's P&L, with accountability for revenue, labor cost, and food cost targets
• Analyze daily, weekly, and monthly sales reports to identify trends and opportunities
• Implement upselling strategies and work with the team to drive average spend per cover
• Manage inventory, stock control, and supplier coordination to minimize wastage and ensure cost efficiency
• Oversee accurate cash handling, daily reconciliation, and reporting procedures
• Support promotional planning and local marketing activations in partnership with the Foodmark marketing team

Reporting & Communication

• Provide regular operational and financial reports to the Operations Head.
• Maintain accurate records of staff attendance, incident reports, maintenance logs, and compliance documentation
• Actively participate in brand meetings, operational reviews, and training programs organized by Foodmark
• Flag operational challenges proactively and present solutions-oriented thinking

Essential Requirements

• Minimum 3–5 years of Restaurant Management experience in a casual dining environment (this is non-negotiable)
• Demonstrated ability to manage high-volume, fast-paced restaurant operations
• Experience working in Dubai or the UAE/GCC region is strongly preferred
• Proven track record of leading and developing multicultural teams of 20+ people
• Strong knowledge of F&B operations, cost controls, and service standards
• Hands-on, floor-present leadership style — not a desk manager
• Solid understanding of Dubai Municipality food safety and hygiene regulations
• Proficiency in POS systems and basic MS Office / reporting tools

Preferred Qualifications

• Degree or Diploma in Hospitality Management or related field
• Prior experience managing an Indian cuisine or Italian cuisine restaurant is a strong advantage
• Experience with franchised brand operations is a plus
• Exposure to new restaurant openings or brand re-launches
• Knowledge of Arabic is an advantage but not a requirement

Please note: Applications without a Casual Dining Restaurant management experience will not be considered.