ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION
The Croquet Cafe is a modern, uniquely Nashville, nonprofit cafe that offers locally crafted food and drink in the heart of scenic Centennial Park, where every visit nourishes guests and the Park they love. The cafe is a collaboration between Metro Parks and its nonprofit support group, Centennial Park Conservancy. The cafe will be operated by The Conservancy, in partnership with local restaurateur The Grilled Cheeserie, and it is expected to open in August.
Centennial Park Conservancy sustains the vibrancy of Nashville’s Centennial Park, home to the historic Parthenon, by supporting Metro Parks in revitalizing and activating this public green space to ensure the Park remains a welcoming destination for recreation, culture, education, and community connection for all. The Croquet Cafe is located in a historic building, which has been repurposed from its initial use as the Centennial Park Croquet Clubhouse in the 1960s. The cafe will enhance the Park experience and nourish visitors with authentic, local cuisine within the Park’s natural beauty –- enriching every visit and supporting its vibrancy. The fast casual concept focuses on serving sandwiches, wraps, salads, coffee, ice cream, smoothies, pastries, picnic boxes, and more.
ABOUT THE POSITION
We are seeking a General Manager to launch and lead Croquet Cafe – the first restaurant located within Nashville’s historic Centennial Park. This is a rare opportunity to shape the culture, guest experience, and operations of a destination cafe that will serve park visitors, tourists, and the entire Nashville community. As General Manager, you won’t simply manage a restaurant, you’ll help create a gathering place at one of the city’s most beloved landmarks. The cafe is unique in that it’s a non-profit with proceeds supporting the Park’s revitalization, beautification, Parthenon Preservation, and Centennial Park Conservancy’s mission.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Croquet Cafe General Manager will have the following primary responsibilities:
- Lead all aspects of café operations, including guest experience, team development, and financial performance
- Recruit, hire, train, and inspire a best-in-class team
- Establish service standards and operational systems from the ground up
- Foster a culture of hospitality, accountability, and excellence
- Manage labor, inventory, purchasing, and cost controls
- Ensure exceptional food, beverage, and service quality
- Build relationships within the local community
- Drive sales growth while maintaining an outstanding guest experience
- Ensure compliance with all health, safety, and operational standards