Become a restaurant manager
Did you know there are around 352,600 restaurant manager jobs in the U.S.?
If you're interested in restaurant operations and have excellent customer service skills, a job in the restaurant industry could be the right choice. To get a job as a restaurant manager, you'll need a few key skills. And you'll also need relevant work experience.
Not sure what a restaurant manager does?
In this article, we’ll explain the top responsibilities you can expect as a restaurant manager, the education and skills you'll need, and how much you can make. We'll give you our top restaurant manager resume tips.
What is a restaurant manager?
Restaurant managers oversee the daily food service and deal with any issues that may arise at a restaurant.
They help to maintain the restaurant’s profitability and make sure the customers have a positive dining experience.
They hire and train new team members and create staff rosters. They work closely with restaurant owners to make sure the establishment thrives. They also follow strict industry health and safety regulations. Restaurant managers can work in a range of different settings. For example, they can get employment in a standalone restaurant, franchise, hotel, or cruise ship.
What skills and education do you need to be a restaurant manager?
If you want to be a restaurant manager, you'll need a high school diploma or equivalent. You'll also need industry experience. For example, you may have worked for a few years as a server, bartender, or chef.
Depending on the job, you may need a bachelor's degree in management or hospitality management. Or you can attend a local technical school. You may also need to pass a food safety exam.
Restaurant managers need excellent communication skills and interpersonal skills. To be successful, you'll need to have close attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and math skills.
You should be a strong leader, flexible, and organized. You’ll also need the physical ability to spend long hours on your feet.
What are the top restaurant manager responsibilities?
There are a number of restaurant manager duties. Here are some of the top job responsibilities you should know about:
1. Training new employees
Restaurant managers are responsible for hiring and training new restaurant staff. They may interview candidates and choose the best people to work front of the house.
Restaurant managers may need to teach new team members the company processes. For example, they may need to show new staff how to use the point of sale (POS) system, take orders, and serve customers.
2. Checking stock levels
Restaurant managers are often responsible for inventory levels. They need to check stock and reorder food and beverage items before they run out. For example, they may need to order fresh ingredients for the kitchen staff or alcohol for the bar.
Restaurant managers may also need to make sure there are enough cleaning supplies, toilet paper, napkins, coffee, and tablecloths.
3. Ensuring food safety
Restaurants have to follow strict food safety regulations. Restaurant managers need to check that the kitchen is clean and meets high sanitation standards.
The kitchen staff needs to prepare and store food safely, and the restaurant manager will need to make sure their training is up to date.
Food that’s served to customers needs to be safe for consumption.
4. Supervising staff members
Restaurants rely on a team of staff to run smoothly. There are servers, bartenders, chefs, bussers, and hosts.
Managers may need to supervise new team members and make sure everyone is working as a team.
Restaurant managers are leaders, and they may need to boost morale and resolve conflicts in the workplace.
5. Maintaining customer satisfaction
Customers are crucial to the success of any restaurant. An experienced restaurant manager knows how to greet customers and make their dining experience a positive one.
They'll lead by example and ensure all staff members understand their customer service responsibilities.
They may also have to deal with customer complaints in a friendly and productive manner.
6. Managing human resources and staffing
Many restaurants are open seven days a week, with night shifts and day shifts. Restaurant managers need to create a functional roster for their team.
Some workers may have set hours, while others will work on a flexible roster. The manager needs to plan for time off and have backup staff in case somebody calls in sick.
If a staff member has a concern, the manager needs to be approachable. A happy work environment can help improve employee retention rates.
How much does a restaurant manager make?
The rate you’ll earn as a restaurant manager can vary. For example, it can depend on whether you’re paid a salary or an hourly rate, the location, and your skills and experience.
The median restaurant manager salary is $27.21 per hour, or $56,590 per year.
Top restaurant manager resume tips
Before you apply for a restaurant management position, you’ll need to prepare your resume. Here are our top tips to support your application:
Include a cover letter with your resume
Address the hiring manager by name
List your work experience in chronological order
Highlight previous experience in management or hospitality
Give an example of when you had to use your leadership skills
Add any education related to the industry
Include details of relevant certificates, such as food safety
Have references ready from previous hospitality positions
Where do you find restaurant jobs?
If you think you’d be a good fit for a restaurant manager job, there are positions available near you.
You can browse local restaurant job vacancies on Jobcase’s job board.
Applying for a job as a restaurant manager
Ready to apply for a job as a restaurant manager?
The job description may include training new employees, checking stock levels, ensuring food quality and safety, supervising staff members, maintaining customer satisfaction, and managing human resources and staffing.
Want to see hospitality jobs in your area? Start looking on Jobcase.
