Kitchen Manager – Gunther Toody's Diner (Littleton)
"Where every booth is a time machine."
Do you love the smell of sizzling bacon, the hum of a busy diner, and being the steady hand in the middle of the action? Do you thrive on teamwork, throwback tunes, and hospitality that's sweeter than a root beer float?
Then saddle up, because Gunther Toody's is hiring an extremely strong Kitchen Manager in Littleton!
As KM, you're the co-pilot to the Restaurant General Manager — and one of the hardest-working people in the building. This is a working-manager role, not a desk job. You'll be on the floor or in the kitchen 95% of the time, running the shift while jumping onto the line, expo, prep, dish, or grill wherever there's a gap. When you're the only manager in the building, the whole store is yours — front of house and back — and you own it from the first bell to the last milkshake.
A day in the life of a Gunther Toody's Kitchen Manager:
- Runs the shift as a hands-on leader — supervising and directing the team while working stations as business needs require. Management is always your first job, even with a spatula in your hand.
- Covers any open kitchen position (line, prep, or dish) on any shift, at the pace and quality of a pro in that station, without ever letting oversight of the shift slip.
- Acts as Manager-on-Duty with full responsibility for the entire store — FOH and BOH — whenever no other manager is present, upholding steps of service, ticket times, guest satisfaction, and cleanliness from booths to bathrooms.
- Builds and executes daily prep lists and portion control systems, completing prep items within company standard prep times.
- Supports the GM in driving sales and hitting labor and food cost targets. (Weekly scheduling is owned by the GM — you help with staffing and labor management on the fly.)
- When a call-off or no-show hits mid-shift, you triage, cover the gap, and get the GM a plan — calm, fast, and solution-first.
- Coaches team members on service standards, food safety, and our unique diner culture; leads pre-shift meetings and ongoing staff development.
- Leads opening and closing procedures, including cash handling and shift reports.
- Assists with inventory management, ordering, and vendor coordination alongside the GM.
- Communicates like a leader: concerns go straight to the GM with a proposed fix — team channels stay positive, professional, and constructive.
- Helps recruit, train, and develop staff, and ensures accountability to company standards.
- Delivers diner magic through 50s-style hospitality, positive energy, and lead-by-example professionalism.
Schedule & pay structure (read this part, Daddy-O):
- This is a salaried position. Your salary compensates all hours worked in the role.
- Shifts may be morning, day, or evening — there is no fixed or guaranteed shift pattern. We flex to the needs of the diner.
- Most shifts run a standard length, but on rare occasions — an emergency, a call-off, an unexpected rush — a shift may run past 10 hours. That's the exception, not the norm.
- Weekends and holidays are part of the gig.
You'll be a great fit if you:
- Have at least 2 years of kitchen management experience
- Can cook — full stop. You're confident and proficient (or ready to get proficient fast) across all core stations: grill, cold side, wheel/expo, prep, dish, and shake station
- Thrive in a fast-paced environment and know how to lead during the rush
- Stay composed under pressure — a slammed Saturday or a surprise call-off brings out your calmest, most solution-focused self
- Communicate clearly, give and receive feedback with professionalism
- Are passionate about people, food, and building a strong, positive team
- Love a hands-on leadership role and lead by example
- Are excited to lean into the 1950s theme — from the lingo to the look
- Hold a current ServSafe Manager certification (or an equivalent accredited food protection manager certification) — required for this role. Colorado requires a Certified Food Protection Manager on staff, and as KM, that's you.
Gunther Toody's Core Values ("D.I.N.E.R.S.")
Delight Every Guest – You go the extra mile. You greet every guest with a smile, a "Glad you're here!" and a warm, energetic welcome. Every visit is a special occasion — whether it's their first time or their fiftieth.
Integrity – You're honest, consistent, and dependable. Whether you're flipping pancakes or handling cash, you do the right thing — even when no one's looking.
Notice the Little Things – You catch the small details that turn a good visit into a great one — like keeping the coffee full, a clean table, or handing out a complimentary ice cream sundae to a kindergartner in a cap and gown.
Embrace Change – You adapt quickly and rise to the occasion — whether it's a surprise rush, a new promo, or a mid-shift call-off. You stay cool, flexible, and solution-focused.
Respect – You treat every guest, team member, and vendor with kindness, patience, and dignity. You bring warmth and professionalism to every interaction, always.
Stay in Character – You help keep the magic of the 1950s alive. From the way you greet guests ("What'll it be, Daddy-O?") to how you wear your uniform and style your station, you embody the retro spirit.
Why You'll Love Working at Gunther Toody's:
- Base salary: $57,800–$62,000/year (based on experience) + monthly bonus with uncapped earning potential — the better the diner performs, the more you make
- 50% employer-paid health, dental, and vision insurance
- PTO after 6 months
- A supportive, hands-on leadership team that actually listens
- A chance to work for a family-owned Colorado institution that's been making memories for nearly 40 years — where every shift is high-energy, high-impact, and full of diner magic
Gunther Toody's is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds to apply.
Job Type: Full-Time Work Location: In person — Littleton, CO
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $57,800.00 - $70,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Employee discount
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Paid training
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
