General Manager, Balboa

Job DetailsJob Location: CA - Newport Beach - Balboa - Newport Beach, CA 92662Position Type: Full-timeSalary Range: $80,000.00 - $85,000.00 Salary/yearJob Category: Restaurant - Food ServiceJoin the Crew at Luke’s Lobster — Grow Your Career With Purpose

Luke’s Lobster is a Maine-inspired, fast-casual lobster shack known for our award-winning seafood rolls and unwavering commitment to sustainability. Every lobster we serve is traceable back to its source and sustainably harvested — because quality matters, and so do the people and oceans behind it.

We’re looking for a General Manager (GM) to join our Balboa Island team — someone who’s hungry to grow, excited to lead, and passionate about creating memorable guest and team experiences.

About This Location

This General Manager role is based at our Balboa Island location in California — a standout shack in one of the most iconic, walkable coastal communities in Newport Beach. This location is a high-visibility neighborhood favorite, serving a steady mix of locals, weekend crowds, and tourists who expect fast, friendly service and a consistently great product.

Balboa Island has a small-footprint, high-volume feel with an upbeat energy and constant guest interaction. This truly feels more like a takeout seafood shack than a dine-in outlet. Success here comes from being highly organized, leading from the front, and building a tight, reliable team that can execute with speed, quality, and hospitality — even during peak rushes.

As the GM, you’ll oversee the full operation, elevate the guest experience, and create a strong team culture rooted in Luke’s standards — while running the shack like your own small business in a busy and high-demand market.

What You’ll Do 

You’ll help us deliver high-quality, sustainably sourced seafood that keeps guests returning. You will:

Build, inspire, and develop a diverse and high-performing team
Deliver warm, genuine guest interactions that highlight our Maine heritage
Work hands-on alongside your crew on the line
Analyze sales and manage controllable expenses, schedules, and inventory
Maintain exceptional standards for safety, cleanliness, and organization
Act like a small business owner and be responsible for the entire Shack operation

If you love leading by example, have an intrinsic passion for engaging guests, and enjoy rolling up your sleeves to make great experiences happen, this role is for you.

What You Bring 

Demonstrate joy leading people and serving guests
A positive attitude, curiosity, and commitment to continuous growth
Passion for the best tasting and highest quality seafood
Excellent communication skills
Strong financial acumen or eagerness to learn (P&Ls, COGS, etc.)
Ability to handle or be exposed to shellfish
Required food handler certification
Direct customer facing experience, to include restaurant management experience, is a plus but not required
Ability to perform physical requirements of the position (the ability to frequently lift up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift up to 50 pounds)

Why You’ll Love Working Here 

Compensation & Benefits

Growth opportunities in a rapidly growing, family operated business that is also B Corp certified
Salary: $80,000 - $85,000 + competitive bonus program
Paid vacation, sick time & holidays
Medical, dental & vision insurance (national PPO) with company contributions after one month
Health Savings Account (HSA) + supplemental accident & hospital indemnity insurance
Optional pet insurance and life insurance after one month
Low-fee 401(k) with company access after one month
Mobile phone stipend
Company-provided laptop
Paid parental leave
Pre-tax commuter benefits (varies by State)
Employee discounts (hello, lobster rolls)
Casual dress code & supportive environment

If you want to work somewhere where people, community, and the environment truly come first — you’ll love it here. At Luke’s, we believe a rising tide lifts all boats when we work with purpose, lead with transparency, and take care of our team.

Our Story 

Luke’s Lobster was born out of the dream of Maine native and third-generation lobsterman Luke Holden to bring the quality lobster rolls of his youth to the big city. After meeting business partner Ben Conniff on Craigslist, the two twenty-somethings opened their first lobster shack in a 250 square foot space in NYC’s East Village in October 2009.

Now 15 years later, Luke’s Lobster brings traceable, sustainable seafood to guests across the globe. Our vision is to be the world’s most trusted seafood brand. Our mission is to serve the best seafood because we care for it obsessively from the dock to you, and because we're devoted to serving the whole community of people it touches. We work directly with fishermen to hand-pick the best seafood, bring it straight to our own seafood company in Saco, ME, and then ship directly to our shacks, grocery partners, and consumers. Cuttin