Pros
Company gave me a chance at bettering myself, and I was able to move through the ranks and become a manager. With gaining experience, and learning the ins and outs of the restaurant business I am now able to move on to better my career path. For the most part management teams are fun and enjoyable, great people to be around for 50-60 hours a week. You grow closely to your team, and if you like a fast paced environment you will enjoy Cheddars. You have the ability to learn a lot about the industry, and it is up to you how much you want to learn. The GM's are always willing to teach what they know, and if you are able to use this it will only better you for a later career.
Cons
Company won't let go of anyone, including management. Sometimes you are stuck working with very poor working individuals, which in turn makes you lose focus on tasks. I have had managers yelling at staff then the staff coming to me trying to explain themselves and asking me to talk to the other managers while only wanting to deal with me. Leading to managing managers which is obviously something you can't do as a peer, just making work more awkward. You, yourself are unable to let anyone go as an assistant, I have been cussed out and threatened and still was unable to fire a server (who continues to work). Leading to a "lunatics running the asylum" atmosphere. The restaurant attracts a clientele of entitlement, constantly dealing with guests who demand compensation before paying for anything. Constant battle with controlling comps, and dealing with guest complaints. Within a restaurant opening in the first two years, I would expect to talk to 15-40 tables a day, depending on the day of the week. Bonus structure is unobtainable your first 6 months opening, and after it gets better. Good stores bonus at $800-$1000 a month depending on business and management. Poor stores bonus at $200-$500 month (First year stores) which are usually the hardest environments to work in. Looking back, if you are considering taking a management position it is a great opportunity to use as a stepping stone, work 2-5 years and move on. The company overall does not look out for its management teams.