A group of diverse employees inside a Pizza Ranch restaurant, all wearing black uniforms and caps, smiling and engaging with each other in a lively atmosphere.

Kitchen Manager in Waiting (Quincy Leadership Role)

Management
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Who We Are

Pizza Ranch began as a single restaurant in Hull, Iowa in 1981 and has grown into one of the nation's leading fast-casual restaurant brands, with over 200 locations across multiple states. At Gravy Train Restaurant Management, we proudly operate several Pizza Ranch restaurants throughout Iowa and Illinois.

We operate with a people-first mindset — focused on strong leadership, operational excellence, and creating restaurants where team members are developed, supported, and set up to succeed. Our goal is simple: deliver a legendary guest experience while building future leaders across every restaurant we serve. The Opportunity

We are seeking a Kitchen Manager in Waiting for our Quincy Pizza Ranch location — a leadership development role designed for someone preparing to become a long-term Kitchen Manager within our Quincy restaurant.

Who We Are

Pizza Ranch began as a single restaurant in Hull, Iowa in 1981 and has grown into one of the nation's leading fast-casual restaurant brands, with over 200 locations across multiple states. At Gravy Train Restaurant Management, we proudly operate several Pizza Ranch restaurants throughout Iowa and Illinois.

We operate with a people-first mindset — focused on strong leadership, operational excellence, and creating restaurants where team members are developed, supported, and set up to succeed. Our goal is simple: deliver a legendary guest experience while building future leaders across every restaurant we serve.

The Opportunity

We are seeking a Kitchen Manager in Waiting for our Quincy Pizza Ranch location — a leadership development role designed for someone preparing to become a long-term Kitchen Manager within our Quincy restaurant.

This role is ideal for someone who wants to grow into restaurant leadership while helping support the Quincy management team as an additional back-of-house leader. You'll work alongside the General Manager, Assistant General Manager, and leadership team while training in all aspects of kitchen operations, food safety, inventory, labor management, team development, and leadership.

While this position is based primarily in Quincy, there may occasionally be opportunities to visit or train at other Gravy Train Pizza Ranch locations to continue developing leadership skills and learning best practices.

If you're someone who enjoys leading by example, thrives in fast-paced environments, and wants to continue growing your restaurant leadership career, we'd love to meet you.

What You'll Do

Support Daily Kitchen Operations

  • Help oversee daily back-of-house operations, food quality, and speed of service
  • Support food preparation, production flow, cleanliness, and safety standards
  • Assist in maintaining inventory and food ordering processes
  • Ensure all food safety and sanitation expectations are consistently followed

Develop Into a Kitchen Leader

  • Train alongside the restaurant leadership team to prepare for future KM responsibilities
  • Learn labor management, coaching, scheduling, and operational leadership
  • Support onboarding and development of back-of-house team members
  • Lead by example during high-volume lunch, dinner, and weekend shifts

Drive Food Quality & Team Success

  • Help maintain legendary Pizza Ranch food quality standards
  • Reinforce accountability, professionalism, and teamwork within the kitchen
  • Assist with coaching and performance conversations when needed
  • Support smooth communication between front- and back-of-house teams

Support Restaurant Operations

  • Step into leadership responsibilities as needed to help support the Quincy management team
  • Assist with cleanliness walkthroughs, prep routines, and kitchen organization
  • Help identify opportunities for operational improvement and efficiency

What You Bring to the Table

  • Passion for food quality, cleanliness, and team development
  • Prior restaurant or kitchen leadership experience preferred
  • Strong communication and organizational skills
  • Ability to multitask and lead in a fast-paced environment
  • Positive attitude and willingness to continue learning and growing
  • Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed
  • Valid driver's license required
  • High school diploma or equivalent required

Why Join Gravy Train?

  • Clear path toward a future Kitchen Manager leadership role
  • Hands-on leadership development and mentorship
  • Opportunity to help open and grow a brand-new Quincy Pizza Ranch
  • Supportive, people-first culture focused on development and growth
  • Work directly alongside experienced restaurant leaders and executive leadership

Ready to Grow Into Leadership?

Apply today to become a Kitchen Manager in Waiting and help us build something legendary in Quincy.

A man in a Pizza Ranch uniform, including a cap and polo shirt, smiling and gesturing with his hands while talking to a colleague in a restaurant setting.

Kitchen Manager in Waiting (Quincy Leadership Role)

4830 Broadway Street
Quincy, Illinois, 62305 Get Directions »
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I started as a part time employee and have seen lots of changes over the years. My ownership group cares about us, is a phone call away and is always willing to listen and come in and help in the restaurant when they can. What I like best about working here is getting to build relationships with the guests that come in, even if they only come in once a year.  They come in and still remember you and are excited to still see you here. 

Lori - Fairmont Assistant General Manager

I came to Minnesota from Mexico three years ago with only basic English, and Pizza Ranch gave me my very first job here. I began as a back of house team member, grew into an assistant manager role, and later transitioned to a part-time manager position while pursuing a career on Education. During this time, I’ve improved my English, built connections, and developed valuable leadership skills. Pizza Ranch has been an incredible place for growth and support on my life, and I’m grateful to still be part of this team.

Margoth - Owatonna Assistant Manager
A man and a woman wearing Pizza Ranch uniforms and hats are smiling at each other while reviewing a menu or flyer inside a restaurant with an orange wall and a digital screen behind them.

Lead Our Culture

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Management plays a vital role in shaping and nurturing our workplace culture. Leaders set the tone for how teams work together, how guests are treated, and how our values come to life every day. By modeling respect, gratitude, and service-minded leadership, managers create an environment where team members feel valued and inspired to give their best. From celebrating wins to guiding through challenges, great management fosters connection and purpose—helping every employee see how their work contributes to something bigger than themselves.

A strong workplace culture doesn’t happen by accident—it’s built through consistent actions that align with who we are and what we believe. When managers live out The Pizza Ranch Way, reinforce our Key Business Drivers, and uphold our Mission and Vision, they help ensure that every guest and team member experiences the heart behind our brand.

Our Culture

The Management Experience

Managers play a critical role in driving the performance and profitability of their restaurants. They are responsible for turning strategy into results—analyzing sales trends, managing food and labor costs, and making data-driven decisions that support long-term growth. By closely monitoring daily operations and key performance metrics, managers ensure the restaurant runs efficiently while maintaining the high standards guests expect. From forecasting inventory to optimizing menu mix and pricing strategies, they balance cost control with delivering exceptional value and quality.

Strong financial performance is a cornerstone of successful leadership at Pizza Ranch. Managers take ownership of their restaurant’s bottom line, using tools and insights to identify opportunities for improvement and to celebrate achievements along the way. It’s a role that challenges leaders to think like entrepreneurs—aligning operational excellence with business results, all within the framework of the Pizza Ranch mission and values.

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