What does a Restaurant Manager do?

Restaurant managers are responsible for managing and organizing daily restaurant operations with a goal of controlling costs and providing a high quality experience to customers. Areas of operation range from personnel management to cook and waiting staff coordination to inventory management. Restaurant managers can work in a variety of settings, including fast food restaurants, fine dining restaurants, and casual dining restaurants.

Although not required, many employers prefer that restaurant managers have a Bachelor's degree in hospitality or training from a community college. Restaurant managers must at least have a high school diploma or equivalent and extensive experience working in the food and beverage service industry. Additionally, many restaurant managers are required to have their food handler certification card, which is obtained by taking a short course or program that covers food safety. The best restaurant managers are passionate about hospitality, have strong leadership skills, and show attention to detail.

What responsibilities are common for Restaurant Manager jobs?
  • Hire, train, and supervise restaurant employees
  • Create staff schedule to ensure appropriate staffing
  • Track stock levels of food, supplies, and equipment, forecast needs, and oversee ordering as necessary
  • Take ownership of budgets and cost control methods to minimize expenses
  • Address customer needs, comments, and complaints
  • Adhere to and enforce employee compliance with health, safety, and sanitation standards
  • Process payroll and maintain all relevant records
  • Ensure all employees are working within outlined operating standards
  • Report on financial performance, inventory, and personnel
What are the typical qualifications for Restaurant Manager jobs?
  • High school diploma or general education degree (GED) required; Bachelor's degree in Hospitality preferred
  • 3-5 years of food and beverage service industry experience required
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a food handler certification card
  • Working knowledge of general restaurant operations, including personnel management, food planning and preparation, purchasing, sanitation and health codes, and security
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills
  • Excellent leaderships skills
  • Demonstrated ability to manage operating costs in accordance with budgets
  • Comfortable setting priorities and delegating tasks as needed
  • Extremely organized and detail-oriented
EducationBachelor's Degree
Work/Life Balance
3.0 ★
Salary Range--
Career Opportunity
3.5 ★
Avg. Experience2-4 years

Restaurant Manager Salaries near United Kingdom

Average Base Pay

£37,042 /yr
Not including cash compensation
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Not enough salaries reported to show distribution
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Glassdoor Estimated Salary

Restaurant Manager Career Path

Learn how to become a Restaurant Manager, what skills and education you need to succeed, and what level of pay to expect at each step on your career path.

Restaurant Manager
£32,843/yr
Senior Restaurant Manager
£41,253/yr
Restaurant Manager

Years of Experience Distribution

0 - 1
12%
2 - 4
58%
5 - 7
1%
8+
29%
Not including years spent in education and/or training

Restaurant Manager Insights

Read what Restaurant Manager professionals have to say about their job experiences and view top companies for this career.
Back's Restaurant & Deli
Restaurant Manager
15 Aug 2022

“False promises of growth that actually just mean you get more and more work and no extra pay.”

Silver Birch (IL)
Culinary Manager
27 May 2022

“My work life balance is really nice here and i get the Majority of my holidays off.”

Marshall Hall of Fame CafeMarshall Hall of Fame Cafe
Restaurant Manager
11 Jan 2022

“If you enjoy working in the restaurant industry it is a great place to work.”

Hartnoll HotelHartnoll Hotel
Bar Manager
20 Nov 2023

“it was fun and everyone is nice”

Tabure
Restaurant Manager
28 Feb 2023

“One of the best companies I've ever worked for.It's nice to work with a boss who values her staff.”

Sugar FactorySugar Factory
Restaurant Manager
1 Mar 2022

“Oh and I forgot to mention the 60 hour work weeks you’re expected to work minimum if you’re salary.”

Love's Travel Stops & Country StoresLove's Travel Stops & Country Stores
Assistant Restaurant Manager
12 Oct 2021

“One of the best tings about Loves is there is so much opportunity to advance and move up.”

La Carreta (LA)
Bar Manager
22 Nov 2023

“Money was decent but not great”

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Restaurant Manager Interviews

Frequently asked questions about the role and responsibilities of a Restaurant Manager

The most similar professions to Restaurant Manager are:
  • Store Manager
  • General Manager
  • Operations Manager
  • Food and Beverage Manager

The most common qualifications to become a Restaurant Manager is a minimum of a Bachelor's Degree and an average of 0 - 1 of experience not including years spent in education and/or training.

Related Careers

Store Manager
£33,118
No skills overlap
General Manager
£49,328
No skills overlap
Operations Manager
£49,284
No skills overlap
Food and Beverage Manager
£45,774
No skills overlap

Restaurant Manager jobs