Are you curious about how to become a good restaurant manager and what it takes to excel in this role? In this guide, we’ll walk you through the essential steps, from educational requirements to gaining key skills and certifications through a restaurant management training program.
Let’s explore the path to building a successful restaurant management career, one of the most critical restaurant positions in the food industry, and how you can thrive as a good restaurant manager.
Key Takeaways
- Leadership: Becoming a restaurant manager requires strong leadership, excellent customer service skills, and the ability to manage a restaurant’s finances effectively.
- On-the-Job Experience: Gaining experience in various restaurant roles is essential for success as a restaurant manager.
- Certifications: Earning additional certifications can boost your credibility and qualifications in the restaurant industry.
Step 1: Explore Restaurant Manager Education Requirements
To embark on your journey toward a restaurant manager’s job, it’s crucial to understand the education requirements and possibilities in this role.
Here are key points to consider:
- Education Background: Many successful restaurant managers have a background in hospitality management or related fields.
- On-the-Job Experience: Gaining experience in various roles within a restaurant is valuable for aspiring restaurant managers.
- Formal Education: Some restaurants may prefer candidates with an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in Restaurant Management, Culinary Arts, or Business Administration to secure restaurant management positions.
- Certifications: Earning industry-recognized certifications, such as ServSafe Food Manager or Certified Restaurant Manager (CRM), can enhance your qualifications and competitiveness in the field.
- Leadership and Management Courses: Taking specialized courses in leadership, team management, or restaurant customer service is beneficial for developing the skills needed to thrive in a restaurant manager’s job.
- Continuing Education: Staying updated with industry trends through workshops, online courses, or seminars in hospitality or restaurant management helps you remain competitive in the restaurant industry.
How long does it take to become a Restaurant Manager?
Becoming a Restaurant Manager typically takes several years of experience, including working as a server, bartender, or assistant manager.
Do I need experience to become a Restaurant Manager?
Yes, experience in the restaurant industry is essential for advancing to the role of restaurant manager.
Step 2: Develop Restaurant Manager Skills
To excel as a restaurant manager, you need to possess specific skills and meet certain requirements. Here’s what you need to know:
Restaurant Manager Skills & Requirements
- Leadership: Effective leadership and team management skills.
- Communication: Clear communication with staff and customers.
- Problem-Solving: Addressing issues promptly and making critical decisions.
- Customer Service: Ensuring a positive dining experience and customer satisfaction.
- Financial Management: Managing budgets, revenue, and expenses.
- Menu Knowledge: Understanding menu items and ingredients.
- Time Management: Efficiently managing restaurant’s operations.
- Health and Safety: Ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations.
- Staff Training: Training and developing restaurant staff.
- Adaptability: Handling the fast-paced restaurant environment.
Restaurant Manager Duties And Responsibilities
Staff Management: Supervising and providing restaurant training to staff to ensure efficient restaurant operations and excellent service.
Customer Relations: Building and maintaining positive relationships with customers to enhance their dining experience and foster loyalty.
Inventory Management: Overseeing restaurant inventory management, including monitoring stock levels and ordering necessary supplies to avoid shortages.
Budgeting: Developing and adhering to a restaurant budget, ensuring financial goals are met while maintaining operational efficiency.
Quality Control: Ensuring consistent food quality and service standards to meet customer expectations.
Health and Safety Compliance: Implementing and enforcing safety protocols in line with health regulations.
Marketing and Promotion: Promoting the restaurant, special events, and offerings to attract more customers and boost revenue.
Learn more about restaurant manager duties and responsibilities by reading our article on a restaurant general manager job description.
Step 3: Complete Relevant Restaurant Manager Training
Training is a vital part of becoming a successful restaurant manager. Here’s what you need to consider:
Types of Training:
- Restaurant Management Courses: Enroll in formal education programs.
- Leadership Training: Develop leadership and management skills.
- Health and Safety Certification: Obtain food safety and sanitation certifications.
Restaurant Manager Training Template
A training template can be used to create an effective training program for your restaurant team. Here’s a sample 5-day training agenda:
Day 1:
- Lesson 1: Introduction to Restaurant Management
- Lesson 2: Leadership and Team Management
Day 2:
- Lesson 3: Effective Communication in the Restaurant
- Lesson 4: Problem-Solving and Decision-Making
Day 3:
- Lesson 5: Customer Service Excellence
- Lesson 6: Financial Management and Budgeting
Day 4:
- Lesson 7: Menu Knowledge and Food Safety
- Lesson 8: Time Management in a Restaurant Setting
Day 5:
- Lesson 9: Health and Safety Compliance
- Lesson 10: Staff Training and Development
How to Train a Restaurant Manager
As a trainer, here’s how you can effectively train a restaurant manager:
- Step 1: Focus on leadership and team management skills.
- Step 2: Teach effective communication and problem-solving.
- Step 3: Prioritize customer service excellence.
- Step 4: Provide financial management and budgeting guidance.
- Step 5: Emphasize menu knowledge and food safety.
- Step 6: Enhance time management in a restaurant setting.
- Step 7: Ensure health and safety compliance.
- Step 8: Train staff development and motivation techniques.
- Step 9: Provide clear instructions in a restaurant training manual.
Restaurant Manager Training Checklist
A training checklist can help ensure your restaurant managers are adequately trained. Here are some items to include:
- Leadership Skills: Evaluate the trainee’s ability to lead and manage a team.
- Budget Management: Assess the trainee’s understanding of financial management.
- Health and Safety: Verify knowledge of safety protocols and regulations.
Step 4: Get Additional Restaurant Manager Certifications
While not mandatory, obtaining extra certifications can enhance your credibility and career prospects as a restaurant manager. Consider the following most common certifications for restaurant manager:
- ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification
- Certified Restaurant Manager (CRM) from the National Restaurant Association
Does a Restaurant Manager need certifications?
Certifications are not always required, but can demonstrate your expertise and commitment to quality.
What certifications do you need to be a Restaurant Manager?
The top certifications for a restaurant manager include:
- the Food Safety Manager Certification (ServSafe or equivalent),
- Certified Food Manager (CFM) — similar to ServSafe, focusing on food safety and handling practice,
- Certified Master Safe Technician (CMST).
Restaurant Manager Certification Cost
Certification costs can vary. For example, Clovis Community College offers the Food Safety Manager Certification full course for $125. According to Next Insurance, food manager certification costs for online and in-person training typically range between $75 and $150.
Step 5: Prepare Your Restaurant Manager Resume
Crafting an impressive resume is essential when applying for restaurant manager positions. Here are some tips:
- Highlight your leadership, customer service, and financial management experience.
- Mention any relevant education and certifications.
- Emphasize your ability to drive positive customer experiences.
Step 6: Apply For Restaurant Manager Jobs
When you’re ready to advance your career as a restaurant manager, follow these:
- Search for Restaurant Manager job listings online: Look for open positions that align with your skills and experience by searching online job boards. Be sure to thoroughly read each restaurant manager job description to ensure a good fit.
- Submit your resume and cover letter: Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your qualifications that match the specific restaurant manager job description. Include your leadership experience, operational expertise, and accomplishments in the hospitality industry.
- Use Popular Job Platforms: Consider applying through well-known job services like Indeed, LinkedIn, or Glassdoor to expand your opportunities and connect with restaurant owners looking for qualified candidates. These platforms are widely used by most restaurant managers to find reputable employers in the restaurant industry.
Learn more about how to manage a restaurant properly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How hard is it to be a restaurant manager?
Being a restaurant manager can be challenging due to the wide range of responsibilities and the fast-paced nature of the job. It requires strong leadership, multitasking, and problem-solving skills, as managers must oversee staff, handle customer service issues, manage inventory and finances, and ensure compliance with health and safety regulations.
Balancing these tasks, particularly during peak hours, can be stressful. However, with the right training, experience, and organizational skills, many find it rewarding to create a positive dining experience and drive a restaurant’s success.
How long does manager training take?
The length of manager training can vary depending on the industry, the program, and the specific role. For restaurant managers, formal restaurant management training programs or certifications typically take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months to complete. For example, certification courses like ServSafe Manager or Certified Restaurant Manager (CRM) can be completed in a matter of weeks.
