“Do something just because it’s rad.” – Pete, founder of Illegal Pete’s
Illegal Pete's is hiring a dynamic General Manager to lead the party at our Tucson restaurant! Located on University Boulevard at the Main Gate of the University of Arizona, this is THE place to be in Tucson—full bar, amazing food, two levels with a bar on each, a newly renovated patio, DJs, events, and a ton of fun. If you're ready to lead a team that delivers excellent service and hospitality, takes pride in serving excellent food and drinks, knows how to work hard AND throw a great party, this is your spot.
You Are:
High-energy and fun – You thrive in a fast-paced, vibrant environment. DJs, events, packed patios, college crowds? That's your happy place.
Operational Excellence – You have high standards for guest service, excellent food, cleanliness, professionalism, and lead your team to do the same.
A party starter AND a strong operator – You know that great vibes come from flawless execution. You can hype up a crowd and nail your P&L in the same breath.
A servant leader – You lead by rolling up your sleeves, supporting your team, and putting people first—your crew, your guests, your community. You partner closely with your AGM / Party & Vibes Manager and Kitchen Manager, knowing that collaboration is how you build something great.
Bold and creative – You bring fresh ideas for events, promotions, and community engagement. You're not afraid to try something new just because it's rad.
Culture-obsessed – You build teams that want to stay. You appreciate, connect, respect, and grow your people every single day.
This is an opportunity to lead a destination—a place where the food is incredible, the drinks are flowing, the music is on point, and the team actually loves being there.
The Role:
The General Manager is the strategic leader of the restaurant. You'll drive dynamic leadership, creative events, an elevated bar program and be focused on excellent customer service, serving delicious food & drinks, inspiring and developing your team, and maintaining best-in-class operations. You partner with, train and develop your AGM / Party & Vibes Manager, Kitchen Manager, and service and support team members daily, and together you create an atmosphere that keeps guests coming back.
The More the Merrier – and we mean it…
MORE MONEY
Starting Annual Salary $79,150 + Bonus Potential (paid quarterly), PTO, employer paid health benefits, 401k after 1 year, and more! We believe in paying a Living Wage and that’s why your salary will allow you to make more than any other fast casual around.
MORE BENEFITS
MORE FUN – BURRITOS, BUDDIES & BEER!
MORE OPPORTUNITY
We like to party, and we want to party with you! Come join our team. Everyone, and we mean EVERYONE, IS WELCOME.
About Illegal Pete's
Ever been to a Chipotle and thought, "Wow, this place would be rad if it were more fun and the food tasted better"? So did we!
Since 1995, we've been pushing the boundaries of what fast casual food can be. It's a place where people actually want to hang out. It's a place for Burritos, Buddies & Beer! We use only the highest quality ingredients to make the best damn food and drinks you can find—food you'll be proud to serve to your friends, your family, and every guest.
But we go beyond serving delicious food and drinks. We're part of the community. It's our mission to give back to our crew, customers, and community by doing things the right way.
ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Operations / Facility
People
Developing Leaders
Financial Results (Sales & Profit)
Requirements
Requirements
COMPETENCIES
Builds a Strong Culture -Achieves through Teamwork
Owns It-Executes for Results
Develops & Supports a Great Team-Finds, Trains, Builds, & Leverages Talent
Inspires / Influences Others-Leads through Influence
Surprises Our Guest with the Experience-Puts All Guests First
Is Real / Keeps It Real-Communicates Effectively & Candidly
Is Bold-Leads Change & Innovation
Creates Long Term Growth-Great Shifts Grow Sales
Application Window
Recruiting timelines vary by position, however, all Illegal Pete's positions accept applications for a minimum of 5 business days from the posting date listed. This position is open and still accepting applications.
WE CELEBRATE HUMANITY. WE CELEBRATE INDIVIDUALITY. WE CELEBRATE RELATIONSHIPS AND CONNECTIONS. AND MOST IMPORTANTLY WE CELEBRATE EVERY HUMAN’S NEED FOR TASTY FOOD, STIFF DRINKS AND GOOD TIMES. WELL, MAYBE IT’S NOT A NEED, BUT IT’S CERTAINLY A WANT. EITHER WAY, IT’S OUR DESIRE TO MAKE EACH ILLEGAL PETE’S LOCATION THE KIND OF PLACE WHERE YOU CAN GO TO CELEBRATE MORE WITH OTHER HUMANS.
When you ask Illegal Pete’s founder Pete Turner why he first opened a restaurant in 1995, he remembers his main goal: “I wanted to create a fun and energetic atmosphere with music playing, employees having fun, and I wanted to include our customers in the fun.”
Armed with a degree from CU, Pete started the original Illegal Pete’s on The Hill in Boulder, bringing Mission-style burritos to a bustling college neighborhood. Inspired by the name of a bar in a novel, he chose “Illegal Pete's” to convey the unique, counter-cultural atmosphere he wanted to foster.
It was also a personal choice: “The name resonated with me for the obvious reason that my name is Pete, but of equal importance, it was my father’s name. He was also a bit of a good-natured hell-raiser in his day, and he was my moral support during the months leading to opening and the two years of operation up to his death in August 1997.”
Over 20 years, Illegal Pete’s has expanded from that original location on The Hill to include 8 restaurants up and down Colorado’s front range and, in 2015, Pete brought Illegal Pete’s to Tucson, Arizona.
The pairing of fast, healthy food with a vibrant cultural atmosphere remains the core of the Illegal Pete’s experience. Not just a restaurant & bar, each location is also a music venue and hangout. You’ll see a lot of diversity at Pete’s, from the diners to the employees to the playlist jamming from the speakers. At Illegal Pete’s it’s about meeting the masses where their interests lie, and our ever-changing formula enables us to achieve this. As we say at Illegal Pete’s:The More.The Merrier.
