Restaurant manager
Restaurant managers ensure that restaurants operate efficiently and profitably while maintaining their reputation and ethos. They must coordinate a variety of activities, whatever the size or type of the outlet. Managers are responsible for the business performance of their restaurant, as well as maintaining high standards of food, service, and health and safety.
Restaurant management combines strategic planning, shift pattern organisation and day-to-day management activities. Depending on the nature of the outlet, the role may have creative aspects, particularly in marketing and business development.
As a key role within the hospitality industry, restaurant management may be fast-paced, highly demanding and very rewarding.
Work duties vary depending on the type of restaurant, but usually include:
Business activities:
Front-of-house:
Housekeeping:
Salary data from the UK Skills Council (UKSP). Figures are intended as a guide only.
Although this area of work is open to graduates and those with an HND of any discipline, the following subject areas may improve your chances:
There is no single route into restaurant management. A degree or HND is not necessarily required for entry into a management role, as it is possible to join a restaurant and work your way up. The sector is very open to candidates with a combination of practical experience, strong interpersonal skills and an understanding of business. However, a degree or HND is increasingly required for entry to a formal recruitment scheme.
Although your degree/HND subject can certainly help towards gaining a position, relevant practical work experience in a customer service environment is often viewed as being more important than formal qualifications. On the other hand, some employers may prefer to recruit graduates with little or no experience so that they can train and develop them in their own systems and procedures.
Candidates need to show evidence of the following:
Joining the relevant professional bodies, such as the Institute of Hospitality , may provide useful training and networking opportunities. Through the Institute of Hospitality's Education Membership Scheme (EMS), students on selected hospitality, leisure and tourism courses may gain free affiliate membership of the association. Individuals should contact their course providers for further information.
There are restaurant management opportunities in a wide range of venues and outlets. It is important to select the restaurant or hospitality company that matches your career aims and provides adequate scope for long-term career development.
Geographical mobility may be important. If your restaurant is part of a chain, you may be required to work in partner regional or national restaurants.
For more information, see work experience and internships and search courses and research.
Training opportunities usually depend on the size of the restaurant and whether it is an independent operation or part of a chain. Larger restaurant chains usually offer structured training schemes, while independent restaurants are more likely to offer on-the-job training on a more informal basis. Key training areas include:
A typical training programme for an individual outlet combines experience with on-the-job training from skilled staff in the workplace. For most schemes, you gain practical experience within each function of the restaurant. You are usually assigned a mentor or someone who will support you during your initial months within the organisation.
A structured management training scheme for graduates usually lasts between 12 and 18 months. This provides a thorough grounding in the key departments through activities such as shadowing the general manager, analysing budgets and managing personnel matters.
Key professional bodies also offer a range of training opportunities. The Institute of Hospitality , the professional body for managers and potential managers in hospitality, operates a professional development service to bridge the gap between education and the hospitality industry. It also offers professional accreditation through S/QCFs (largely replacing the S/NVQ in the industry) and suitably qualified members may gain associate membership. The Institute also offers seminars and workshops, as well as a course leading to an advanced certificate in hospitality studies.
People 1st also offers nationally recognised qualifications and provides a searchable database of qualifications through its website. Some may be available through local training providers, while others may be gained while working. The British Hospitality Association also provides workshops in areas such as industry structures, key trends and sector issues. Several schemes are available through the government-supported Best Practice Forum for the hospitality, tourism and leisure industries, which enable managers to gain credits towards nationally accredited qualifications.
Career development may depend on the nature of the employer, with company strategy strongly influencing staff progression. However, due to current skills shortages within the hospitality industry, it is usually possible to progress through the following route, particularly within larger restaurant companies:
Within certain companies, career progression may involve undertaking in-house qualifications and relevant training.
It is common for managers of a single restaurant to progress into area management roles, for which extensive knowledge of a particular chain and a strong background of practical experience are often required. Most area managers are recruited internally, having first gained substantial experience as a manager of a unit within the organisation. It may be possible to move into this role from outside but related experience is usually required. An area manager may manage four to six restaurants, depending on the size of the establishments. It is also possible to move into an operations management or head office role, depending on the flexibility and range of individual restaurant chains.
Restaurant managers not seeking area management responsibility may move across to other restaurants, possibly within the same chain.
Managers may also relocate to manage a failing or less successful affiliated restaurant.
A small number of experienced managers seek to develop their own business, taking over existing businesses or starting new restaurants from scratch.
Hospitality is one of the UK's largest industries and it has enjoyed a sustained period of growth over the last 30 years. Opportunities exist in commercial establishments, including hotels, restaurants and cafés, pubs and clubs, and conference venues. It is one of the country's most geographically widespread industries, offering employment in every high street of every city and town and in many parts of the countryside. The restaurant industry in particular has experienced a period of growth in recent years. There are over 70,000 restaurants employing more than half a million people (UK Skills Council (UKSP), 2011). Many restaurants are run by proprietors or partnerships. Although chain restaurants are now ubiquitous on the high street, most Asian restaurants (including Indian, Bangladeshi, Chinese and Thai) are independent.
Types of employers include:
Many regional and national restaurant chains offer management opportunities for graduates. Competition for these types of schemes is increasing.
Get tips on job hunting, CVs and covering letters and interviews.
Tweet