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The role of a restaurant manager is vibrant and dynamic, with each day bringing new and exciting challenges and opportunities. Not only are there lots of chances for skills and personal development, but there are also lots of career advancement opportunities, chances to network and create relationships and plenty of personal satisfaction. Having said this, there are also some challenges to a restaurant management career, including providing training, motivating staff members to consistently meet the high demands of customers and overseeing food preparation protocols which includes food safety. A restaurant manager will generally work 42 to 44 hours per week and earn a salary between £18,000 and £28,000, which will include evening work, weekends and even bank holidays.
Daily restaurant management career duties
The dynamic role in a restaurant management career includes: ensuring the restaurant complies with licencing, health and safety and food hygiene rules. Planning a unique and exciting menu with your chefs. Organising rotas and shifts for waiting and kitchen staff. Managing stock and overseeing budgets. Working with suppliers of food and beverages and recruiting and training staff. Planning events, including large events such as weddings, and providing customer service and handling customer complaints. Working in a restaurant may be physically demanding and will usually require you wearing a uniform.
Hospitality Management Education
For aspiring restaurant managers, there are a number of different educational and work pathways you can take, including restaurant management qualifications through college courses, hospitality apprenticeships, graduate training schemes and working towards the role.
Restaurant Management Qualifications
Through a college course you can gain the restaurant management qualifications you need to go onto secure a restaurant management career. These courses will teach you the knowledge and skills you require to do this job. Examples of suitable courses you can take include a Level 3 diploma in Hospitality Supervision and Leadership, and a Level 4 diploma in Hospitality Leadership.
To secure a place on a college course you will usually need 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) to complete a level 3 course, or 1 or 2 A Levels to secure a level 4 or 5 course.
Hospitality Apprenticeships
Another way to secure the skills you need for this role is to complete a hospitality supervisor advanced apprenticeship and then continue to train on the job. To complete an advanced apprenticeship you will need 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and Maths. Or if you already have supervisory experience, you can complete a hospitality manager higher apprenticeship or degree apprenticeship. To do this you will need 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent.
Graduate Training Schemes
An alternative route to becoming a restaurant manager is to secure a place on a restaurant management graduate scheme. There are lots of large restaurants and fast food chains who run restaurant management schemes which can result in you gaining the skills you need to become a restaurant manager. In order to secure a place on one of these schemes you will usually need a university qualification, for example a degree in hospitality management, although many employers will accept other university courses.
Working towards the role
Another way to move into a restaurant management role is to work towards it By beginning as part of the restaurant staff, such as head waiter or kitchen manager and gaining experience and qualifications, you can begin to take on more management responsibilities and work up to the role of restaurant manager.
Gain restaurant management skills through work experience
Whether you choose to gain a formal education, complete an apprenticeship, or work towards the role of restaurant manager, gaining work experience will play a crucial role in your progression within the hospitality industry. Work experience is a fantastic way to develop your skills, enhance your understanding and begin to network with other professionals in the industry. What’s more, any experience you have will boost your resume and help you to secure future roles in what is a very competitive field. Examples of good work experience roles you can engage in are front-of-house positions, hotel management and catering.
The importance of building a professional network for your restaurant management career
Networking is an important part of personal development and progressing any career, especially a restaurant management career. There are lots of benefits to networking, such as gaining fresh ideas and a fresh perspective, to help you to become creative and innovative in your role. Strengthening business connections which can help you to find out about new roles that become available and secure other roles in the future. Developing your own knowledge by learning from other people in the industry especially those with more experience. Access to new information by connecting with other professionals. It is important to keep up-to-date with any changes in the industry, networking can help with this. Receiving advice and support from people in the industry who have more experience than you do.
There are lots of ways you can network in the hospitality industry, for example, you can attend industry events and join professional associations.
Leadership and Communication Restaurant Management Skills
To become a successful restaurant manager you need to embody the following restaurant management skills. Like all managers, a restaurant manager needs excellent leadership skills. You must have exceptional customer service skills and be able to handle customer queries and complaints. You will need the ability to motivate and manage staff, and have strong problem-solving capabilities. It is important you can work well with others, but are also able to work independently, as well as an ability to accept criticism. You must work well under pressure, remaining patient and calm in stressful conditions. You need to have excellent business management skills, as well as a strong knowledge of food production methods. You will also need to be competent on computers and using software packages.
Continual Professional Development
As with all roles, it is incredibly important that you ensure consistent professional development throughout your career. Focusing on your professional development will not only help you to keep on top of current trends and changes in the industry, but it will also help you to enhance your leadership and managerial skills. There are lots of ways you can continue to enhance your own professional development, for example, you can attend management courses that help to develop your skills in managing and organising your workforce, you can attend workshops and also seminars, both of which will help you to learn new skills and develop upon existing ones.
If you’re thinking about becoming a restaurant manager in the UK, you should familiarise yourself with the skills required and the daily tasks involved, to ensure you are not only equipped and suitable for the job, but to also make sure that it is what you want to do. Once you’ve done this, if you’re still passionate about becoming a restaurant manager, we encourage you to pursue your goal. Gaining education and experience in the role is a necessity, this will not only equip you to do the role well, but it will also give you the competitive edge when it comes to securing future roles, which can be rather competitive. The role of hospitality management is an exciting and diverse one, not only will it bring you an incredible sense of satisfaction but provide you with a rewarding lifelong career in a customer facing role.