06.11.23

Restaurant General Manager Skills: What You Need to Know

Running a restaurant is both promising and challenging. However, it demands specific skills. Here, we'll discuss the key abilities you might need to become a successful restaurant manager. If you wish to be a restaurant manager, this article is for you. 

Why is there a general manager at a restaurant?

A general manager is like the captain of the ship, responsible for steering the restaurant to success. Among their major responsibilities is the oversight of all restaurant operations. This includes managing the kitchen, front of house staff, and administrative tasks. 

They make sure that everything in the restaurant runs efficiently and effectively. In doing so, they ensure the food is prepared to the highest quality standards. Aside from that they maintain a welcoming and enjoyable dining atmosphere, which depends on cleanliness, comfort, convenience, style, and much more.
 

What does a Restaurant Manager do?

Restaurant managers wear many hats, for instance, making sure the client's dining experience is enjoyable and safe. Moreover, they have various responsibilities, and we'll break them down into six easy to understand points.

1. Team Leadership: To start with, restaurant managers lead the restaurant staff. They make sure the team is well trained and motivated to work together effectively.

2. Food Quality: Additionally, they ensure the food is not only tasty but also safe to eat. Furthermore, they help plan the menu and manage how much the food costs.

3. Money Management: Restaurant managers handle the restaurant's money. They create such as budgets, control expenses, and set prices to make sure the restaurant makes a profit.

4. Customer Satisfaction: They listen to and solve any problems or complaints from customers. Ultimately, happy customers keep coming back and telling their friends about the restaurant.

5. Safety and Rules: To ensure managers make sure the restaurant follows safety and health rules to keep everyone safe. Furthermore, they also keep the restaurant clean and well-maintained.

6. Dining Experience: Moreover, they work to make the restaurant a nice place to eat by creating a mood with things like lighting, music, and how friendly the staff is. Ultimately, they want customers to have a good time.

These are some of the key things a manager does to keep the restaurant running smoothly and make sure customers are happy.

How to Become a Restaurant Manager

To become a restaurant manager, you typically need a combination of education, training, and experience.

Education|
For starters, having a degree in hospitality management, restaurant management, or a related field can give you a competitive edge but is not a 100% necessity. However, you can start from a primary position and get promoted up to the top level. In fact, some big restaurant chains train their workers. In any case, studying can help you to make a career faster. Furthermore, many community colleges and universities offer programs related to the field. Coursework typically covers topics like food service management, marketing, finance, and human resources.

On-The-Job Training 
In particular, on the job training is crucial for aspiring restaurant workers. As you progress, you'll acquire essential skills in customer service, food safety, staff management, and financial management. Be sure to pay attention to how experienced managers handle various situations, ask questions, watch and repeat the good practices.

Gain Experience 
Many restaurant managers begin their careers by working in entry-level positions in the food service industry. This could include roles such as a server, host/hostess, or cook. Gaining hands on experience in various roles will help you understand how a restaurant operates from the ground up.

Gain Management Experience
Seek out supervisory roles within the restaurant, such as assistant manager or shift supervisor. This step will help you gain experience managing staff and operations.

Consider Certification
Some restaurant managers choose to obtain certifications like ServSafe, which focuses on food safety, or the National Restaurant Association's ManageFirst program, which covers various aspects of restaurant management. In the ever-evolving restaurant industry, staying informed about industry trends and best practices is crucial for success.

 

What are the required skills to become a restaurant manager?

Becoming a successful restaurant manager requires a set of skills.

• Stay Organized and Efficient
  Restaurant managers have to be good at keeping things in order and getting things done quickly. Furthermore, they handle lots of tasks and information at the same time.
• Work Well Under Pressure
  Restaurants can get super busy. A great restaurant manager can stay cool and focused, even when things get crazy.
• Good at Talking to Others
  Restaurant managers need to talk with customers, staff, and suppliers. In doing so, being a good communicator helps make sure everyone understands each other.
• Motivate and Lead
  A good restaurant manager makes the workplace a positive and energetic one. They go on to inspire their team to do their best and work well together. Furthermore, they set goals and rewards for results.

 

Key Expertise to Develop

• Communication
  Above all, effective communication is the key to being a successful leader. It's essential to convey your expectations, provide clear instructions, and listen to your team's concerns and feedback.
• Leadership
  In the role of a restaurant general manager, you'll be responsible for leading your team. This implies you need excellent leadership skills. Specifically, you must be able to guide, motivate, and inspire your staff to work together towards a common goal.
• Problem-Solving
  In the fast-paced restaurant environment, unexpected challenges can arise. Whether it's a kitchen mishap, a staffing issue, or a dissatisfied customer, you'll need to be a proficient problem solver. Quick thinking and the ability to make sound decisions under pressure are vital skills for a restaurant general manager.
• Customer Service
  This involves being attentive to customers' needs, resolving any issues promptly, and creating a positive dining experience.As a result, happy customers will keep coming back and recommend your restaurant to others.
• Adaptability
  The restaurant industry can be unpredictable, so being adaptable to changing circumstances is important.
• Knowledge of Food and Beverages
  You should know the menu inside and out, understand food preparation processes, and be familiar with the ingredients and flavors. This level of expertise enables you to provide recommendations, answer customer questions, and ensure the quality of the dishes.
• Attention to Details
  Moreover, small details matter in the restaurant business. Taking care of these nuances from the cleanliness of the dining area to the presentation of dishes helps create a positive experience. Additionally, it also ensures that health and safety standards are met.

Restaurant Manager Career Outlook

Looking ahead, the demand for restaurant managers is expected to remain steady, with opportunities in various types of dining establishments. As long as people enjoy dining out, there will be a need for skilled restaurant managers.

On average, a restaurant manager can earn anywhere from $40,000 to $60,000 per year. However, the salary of a restaurant manager can change based on a few things:

Where They Work
If they manage a restaurant in a big city, they often make more money than in smaller towns or the countryside.

Type of Restaurant
Managers at fancy, high-end restaurants usually earn more than those at more relaxed or fast-food places.

Experience Matters
Managers who've been doing the job for a long time generally get paid more than those who are just starting.

Education Helps
If a manager has a degree in things like hospitality or a related field, they might get a higher salary than those without a degree.

Additionally, if you're looking to hire or find a job as a restaurant manager, you can check out platforms like Djobzy, which connect employers with job seekers in the hospitality industry. It is a useful resource for both restaurant managers seeking employment and restaurants looking to hire a manager.

 

Conclusion

Becoming a restaurant general manager is an exciting career choice, but it comes with challenges. To become one, you need to develop skills, qualifications, and experience. 

The job can be rewarding, with the potential for a competitive salary. So, if you have a passion for the restaurant industry and possess the necessary skills, a career as a restaurant manager may be a great fit for you.

Good luck!

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