Illegal Pete's
Fast-casual Mexican restaurant with full bar
Assistant General Manager
+ Annual bonus potential $10,200
About the job
- A high school diploma or equivalency.
- At least one year of management and/or leadership experience.
- Ability to listen effectively and give and take direction.
- Ability to work under pressure while meeting tight deadlines in a timely manner.
- Comfort with computers and the functions expected of a manager.
- Good communication, organizational, and time-management skills.
- Ability to recognize problems and solve them.
- Ability to speak, read, follow, write, and comprehend instructions, correspondence, and policy documents.
- Ability to work effectively in a diverse workforce.
- Ability to set goals and convert plans into action.
- Ability to safely operate commercial equipment.
- Ability to work a flexible schedule.
- A reliable vehicle, valid driver's license, clean driving record, and current auto insurance.
- Ability to perform walking, bending, twisting, reaching, stooping, kneeling, crouching, pushing, pulling, and moving objects weighing up to 50 pounds.
- Work closely with the general manager and kitchen to ensure operational excellence.
- Manage all bar and shift responsibilities, including opening and closing.
- Plan effective shifts and prepare contingency plans when needed.
- Ensure shift readiness and respond to third-party audits.
- Manage daily team deployment and routines.
- Schedule and complete bar preparation, including preparation and pulling of supplies.
- Taste food at least twice per shift to verify quality and flavor.
- Execute bar recipes accurately and ensure drink timing, quality, and freshness.
- Manage order timing and throughput.
- Maintain food, team, restaurant, and bar safety and security.
- Set up the next restaurant and bar shift.
- Maintain cleanliness and sanitization in the restaurant and bar.
- Execute rollouts and follow information-technology practices and procedures.
- Work in the kitchen through rotation and cross-training.
- Manage food ordering, waste, yields, par levels, and variances.
- Receive, organize, and rotate food and supplies properly.
- Maintain inventory accountability and monitor daily and end-of-period food costs.
- Execute food recipes accurately and ensure food timing, quality, and freshness.
- Address guest comments and mystery-shop results.
- Interview, hire, and onboard team members.
- Forecast team and business needs and support ongoing development.
- Deliver initial, cross-training, and new-position training.
- Conduct team-member evaluations, one-on-one communication, and follow-up.
- Handle terminations.
- Create and communicate the team’s daily development plan.
- Lead daily communication and shift handoffs.
- Conduct restaurant team meetings.
- Manage and coach the team on stage.
- Create positive energy and atmosphere.
- Train and mentor S1 shift supervisors.
- Teach, train, and coach the team continuously.
- Manage sales across all areas and prepare sales forecasts, projections, and budgets.
- Ensure correct orders and respond to guest feedback.
- Manage restaurant and bar promotions.
- Follow banking practices, including safe and drawer counts and preventing overages and shortages.
- Manage bar ordering, waste, yields, par levels, and variances.
- Receive, organize, and rotate bar and restaurant supplies properly.
- Maintain bar inventory accountability and monitor daily and end-of-period bar costs.
- Care for and respect bar equipment and tools.
- Manage guest service and feedback.
- Create action plans based on third-party inspection results.
- Prepare schedules.
- Manage controllable and non-controllable costs, including smallwares, supplies, workers’ compensation, repairs and maintenance, equipment, HVAC, and exterior items.
- Handle guest and team-member incidents.
- Maintain safe and secure operating practices.
- The posting does not identify separate preferred or desirable qualifications.
About the company
Illegal Pete's operates as a fast-casual restaurant chain in Colorado and Arizona, serving Mission-style burritos, bowls, tacos, salads, nachos, and queso, with a full bar and local craft beers. Its food is prepared with responsibly sourced, high-quality ingredients and is served in a counter-service format, with locations designed to foster a social, neighborhood atmosphere including live music, comedy shows, and other events. What sets Illegal Pete's apart is its community focus: it partners with local arts through initiatives like the Starving Artists program that offers free meals to touring musicians, runs a record label, and uses historic buildings for its stores while keeping full control without franchising. Employee welfare is emphasized through a living wage, health benefits, and a 401K. The company aims to be a local gathering place that blends good food, live arts, and community connection while growing in a manageable, community-centered way.
Company Size
51-200
Company Stage
N/A
Total Funding
N/A
Headquarters
Denver, Colorado
Founded
1995
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Illegal Pete's added Taco Night in January 2025, its first menu change in 15 years.
- By April 2026, the chain listed 14 locations, including Wheat Ridge and Boulder expansion.
- Loyalty app V.I. Pete's and full bars support repeat visits and higher check sizes.
What critics are saying
- The name still fuels boycott pressure; UA activists targeted Tucson in 2024.
- Colorado Springs opened April 2024 after two-year delays, exposing execution fragility.
- Limited scale outside Colorado leaves Arizona dependence and weak bargaining power versus Chipotle.
What makes Illegal Pete's unique
- Pete Turner kept family-owned control since 1995, avoiding franchise dilution.
- Illegal Pete's pairs Mission-style burritos with full bars and live-music events.
- Historic building reuse and neighborhood programming create a locally rooted brand identity.
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Benefits
Health Insurance
401(k) Retirement Plan
Paid Time Off
Paid Sick Leave
Remote Work Options
Hybrid Work Options
Stock Options
Company Equity
Wellness Program
Mental Health Support
Gym Membership
Phone/Internet Stipend
Home Office Stipend
Conference Attendance Budget
Professional Development Budget
Family Planning Benefits
Fertility Treatment Support
Adoption Assistance
Childcare Support
Elder Care Support
Relocation Assistance
Employee Referral Bonus
Tuition Reimbursement
Training Programs
Tuition Reimbursement
Meal Benefits
Vacation/ PTO