What are the Duties of a Restaurant General Manager?

A restaurant manager, also called a food service manager, oversees food preparation, human resources, customer service, and administrative organization for a restaurant. Read on to learn more about the duties that come with being a general manager in a restaurant.

Career Overview

Restaurant managers monitor all aspects of a restaurant's operation. In this career, you'll keep an inventory of the restaurant's equipment and ensure that the building meets fire and food safety codes. In addition, you'll make certain that the kitchen, dining spaces, and bar areas remain fully staffed and running smoothly.

General restaurant managers must also count the restaurant's earnings, monitor payroll records, and oversee the yearly budget. A restaurant manager's other main duties include handling human resources for the restaurant and ensuring customer satisfaction.

Important Facts About Restaurant Managers

On-the-Job Training	Classroom instruction may be combined with training to learn the position
Key Skills	Business acumen, customer service oriented, attention to detail, leadership, organization, physically fit, problem-solving, clear verbal communication
Work Environment	Restaurants, hotels, hospitals, factories, offices
Similar Occupations	Bartender, chef, cook, lodging manager, sales manager, server

Human Resources Management

A general manager must hire and train all new workers. In addition, you'll assign duties and hours to each of your staff members to cover all aspects of the restaurant's needs. The general manager also sets worker expectations and motivates staff members to meet restaurant goals. If a staff member is not meeting the job requirements, you'll be responsible for reprimanding or terminating the employment of that individual.

Food Delivery and Quality

As a general manager, it would be your job to ensure that the kitchen is well-stocked with food supplies. General manager duties also include supervising food preparation and checking to see that portion sizes and garnishes are consistent on every dish. You'll need to coordinate the kitchen and dining room to ensure that meals are delivered to diners in a timely fashion. If customers are unhappy with their experiences, you must take complaints about the food and provide solutions to their issues.

Educational Requirements

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), some restaurant general managers only need a high school diploma for employment if they are familiar with the food service industry. To make yourself more marketable, however, you may want to pursue an associate's or bachelor's degree in a food-related field. You can find undergraduate programs in hospitality or restaurant management. The BLS reported that more employers now seek restaurant managers who hold a degree. Business knowledge and experience can also set you apart when looking for work as a manager.

Employment Outlook and Salary Information

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS, www.bls.gov), the number of working food service managers is expected to grow 10% between 2021 and 2031, which is faster than the average. Consolidation in the restaurant industry is likely to hamper job growth during this time. As of 2021, the median salary among food service managers was $59,440, per the BLS.