General Manager - Maleza Costa Mesa

Maleza is bringing the bold spirit of Mexico City cuisine to Costa Mesa.

Our menu is intentionally inspired by the evolution of Mexico City cuisine- blending traditional roots with contemporary techniques and presentation. Designed to be shared and explored, Maleza is a vibrant kitchen and mezcal bar built around connection, creativity, and unforgettable hospitality.

We’re building a high-energy restaurant in one of Orange County’s most dynamic dining neighborhoods, and we’re looking for an exceptional Opening General Manager to lead the team. This is an opportunity to run a high-volume restaurant operation while partnering with our Corporate Chef and Corporate Director of Food & Beverage to bring the Maleza vision to life.

We’re looking for someone who loves restaurants, thrives in fast-paced environments, and knows how to build a team that delivers memorable guest experiences every night.

What You’ll Do

• Lead the daily operations of a high-volume restaurant and mezcal bar
• Recruit, hire, train, and develop a strong hospitality-driven team
• Drive sales, profitability, and operational performance
• Manage labor, food cost, and beverage cost to meet financial targets
• Create a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere that reflects the Maleza brand
• Collaborate with our Corporate Chef on menu execution and quality standards
• Partner with our Corporate F&B Director on operational strategy and performance
• Ensure exceptional service standards and guest engagement throughout every shift

What a Day at Maleza Looks Like

No two days are the same — but every day is focused on creating an unforgettable experience for our guests and our team.

You might start the day reviewing sales and labor performance, connecting with your leadership team about reservations and events, and walking the restaurant to ensure everything is ready for service.

During service, you’re on the floor- welcoming guests, supporting the team, solving problems before they happen, and making sure the energy in the room feels exactly like Maleza.

You’re coaching managers, developing your team, collaborating with our Corporate Chef on menu execution, and working with our Corporate F&B Director on strategy and performance.

At the end of the night, you leave knowing the restaurant ran beautifully, the team felt supported, and guests had an experience worth coming back for.

Our Leadership Style

At Maleza, we believe great restaurants are built by leaders who are present, curious, and genuinely invested in their teams.

Our General Managers are not office managers — they are hospitality leaders who set the tone on the floor, build strong teams, and create an environment where both guests and employees feel the energy of the restaurant.

We value leaders who:

• Lead with confidence and humility
• Build teams through coaching and mentorship
• Care deeply about the guest experience
• Balance creativity with strong operational discipline
• Take ownership of the restaurant as if it were their own

You’ll have strong support from our Corporate Chef and Corporate Director of Food & Beverage, but we look for General Managers who embrace ownership, bring ideas to the table, and help shape the future of the restaurant.

Because the best restaurants are built by teams that care; about the food, the experience, and each other.

What We’re Looking For

• 5+ years of restaurant management experience
• Experience leading high-volume restaurants ($3M+ annual revenue preferred)
• Strong leadership and team development skills
• Solid understanding of restaurant financials (labor, food cost, P&L)
• Passion for hospitality, food, and beverage programs
• Familiarity with cocktail or agave-forward beverage programs is a plus

Why Join Maleza

• Lead a vibrant, chef-driven restaurant concept
• Work with experienced culinary and hospitality leadership
• Competitive salary and bonus structure
• Opportunity to build and develop an exceptional team
• Be part of a concept built around creativity, culture, and connection

This role is ideal for a hospitality leader who thrives in high-energy restaurants and wants to build something special, not just run another shift. If you’re passionate about great food, mezcal, and building an amazing restaurant culture, we want to meet you.

The pay range for this role is:
85,000 - 110,000 USD per year(Maleza Costa Mesa)