What is a Restaurant Manager?

A restaurant manager is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of a restaurant. This includes managing staff, ensuring that customers receive high-quality service, monitoring inventory and ordering supplies, handling customer complaints, and ensuring that the restaurant is in compliance with health and safety regulations. A restaurant manager must also create schedules, manage budgets, and work with the kitchen staff to develop menus and specials. Additionally, the manager must stay up-to-date with trends in the industry and develop strategies to keep the restaurant competitive.

A successful restaurant manager must have excellent communication and leadership skills, as well as the ability to multitask and make decisions quickly. They should be able to delegate tasks effectively and maintain a positive and productive work environment. In addition, a restaurant manager must have a deep understanding of the restaurant industry, including knowledge of food and beverage trends, the local market, and the competition. With these skills and knowledge, a restaurant manager can help a restaurant thrive and grow over time.

What does a Restaurant Manager do?

A restaurant manager laughing in the kitchen.

Restaurant managers play a critical role in ensuring the smooth and efficient operation of a restaurant. They are responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations, managing staff, ensuring customer satisfaction, and maintaining profitability. Effective restaurant managers possess a wide range of skills, including leadership, communication, problem-solving, and financial management. They must be able to manage multiple tasks simultaneously while maintaining a high level of quality and consistency.

Duties and Responsibilities
The duties and responsibilities of a restaurant manager can vary depending on the size and type of establishment. However, some common responsibilities include:

  • Managing staff: Restaurant managers are responsible for recruiting, training, and supervising staff, including chefs, servers, bartenders, and support staff. They must ensure that all employees adhere to restaurant policies and procedures, as well as local health and safety regulations.
  • Overseeing operations: Restaurant managers oversee all aspects of restaurant operations, including inventory management, food preparation, order taking, customer service, and maintenance. They must ensure that all equipment is in working order, and that the restaurant is clean and welcoming to customers.
  • Ensuring customer satisfaction: Restaurant managers must ensure that customers are satisfied with their dining experience. They may handle customer complaints, manage reservations, and coordinate special events.
  • Managing finances: Restaurant managers are responsible for managing the restaurant's finances, including budgeting, forecasting, and cost control. They must ensure that the restaurant is profitable by monitoring sales, labor costs, and other expenses.
  • Marketing and promotions: Restaurant managers may be responsible for developing and implementing marketing strategies to attract customers. They may coordinate advertising, promotions, and special events to increase revenue.
  • Maintaining relationships: Restaurant managers must maintain positive relationships with suppliers, vendors, and other business partners to ensure the smooth operation of the restaurant. They may negotiate contracts and manage orders for food, beverages, and supplies.

Types of Restaurant Managers
There are different types of restaurant managers, each with their specific duties and responsibilities. Here are some of the common types of restaurant managers and what they do:

  • Restaurant General Manager: The general manager oversees the overall operations of the restaurant. They are responsible for managing staff, maintaining financial records, developing policies and procedures, and ensuring that customers are satisfied with their dining experience.
  • Restaurant Front of House Manager: The front of house manager is responsible for managing the front of the restaurant, including host/hostess, servers, and bartenders. They are responsible for ensuring that the dining room is clean and welcoming to customers and that service is prompt and efficient.
  • Restaurant Back of House Manager: The back of house manager is responsible for managing the kitchen staff, including cooks, prep cooks, and dishwashers. They are responsible for ensuring that food is prepared correctly, that inventory is managed efficiently, and that the kitchen is clean and organized.
  • Restaurant Bar Manager: The bar manager is responsible for managing the bar staff, including bartenders and barbacks. They are responsible for ensuring that the bar is well-stocked, that drinks are prepared correctly, and that customers are satisfied with their drinks.
  • Restaurant Catering Manager: The catering manager is responsible for managing the catering operations of the restaurant. They are responsible for developing menus, coordinating events, managing staff, and ensuring that customers are satisfied with the catering service.
  • Restaurant Marketing Manager: The marketing manager is responsible for developing and implementing marketing strategies to attract customers. They may coordinate advertising, promotions, and special events to increase revenue.

Are you suited to be a restaurant manager?

Restaurant managers have distinct personalities. They tend to be enterprising individuals, which means they’re adventurous, ambitious, assertive, extroverted, energetic, enthusiastic, confident, and optimistic. They are dominant, persuasive, and motivational. Some of them are also conventional, meaning they’re conscientious and conservative.

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What is the workplace of a Restaurant Manager like?

The workplace of a restaurant manager can be fast-paced and demanding. Restaurant managers typically work long hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays. They may be required to work early mornings to ensure that the restaurant is ready for the day's service. The work environment can be noisy and busy, with a constant flow of customers and staff.

Restaurant managers must be able to manage multiple tasks simultaneously while maintaining a high level of quality and consistency. They may be responsible for managing staff, overseeing operations, managing finances, and ensuring customer satisfaction. This requires excellent organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills.

The work of a restaurant manager can also be physically demanding. They may be required to stand for long periods, walk for miles, and lift heavy objects. They must also be able to handle the pressure and stress that comes with managing a busy restaurant.

Despite the challenges, many restaurant managers find the work to be rewarding. They enjoy the fast-paced environment, the opportunity to work with a diverse group of people, and the satisfaction of creating a memorable dining experience for customers. Additionally, many restaurant managers have the opportunity to advance their careers and become owners or operators of their own restaurants.