A bachelor's degree program in restaurant management can lead to a career as a food service manager at a variety of types of eating establishments or as owner of your own restaurant. Read on to learn more about this program, including common courses and online availability, as well as the employment outlook for food service managers.
What Is a Restaurant Management Bachelor's Degree Program Like?
A restaurant management bachelor's degree program prepares you to oversee the daily operations of restaurants, bars and other food service establishments. You learn about the operations of kitchens, dining rooms, banquet halls, bars and catering services. Some programs combine restaurant management training with hospitality training, which usually includes instruction in hotels and resorts. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employers increasingly prefer a degree or some formal training in food service management (www.bls.gov).
Bachelor's degree programs typically take about four years to complete. You can find these programs at colleges and universities around the country, though there are many for-profit schools that specialize in restaurant and hospitality programs. You might be able to find the rare program that allows you to earn your degree online, but you must usually have earned some credits through other schools.
<table border="1"><tr><td><b>Degree Overview</b></td><td> 4-year program that provides preparation to oversee daily operations of food service establishments; online options available but rare</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Common Courses</b></td><td> Workplace hygiene, food preparation, cost control, catering, accounting</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Job Outlook (2019-2029)</b></td><td> 1% increase (<i>for food service managers</i>)*</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Mean Salary (2020)</b></td><td> $61,000 (<i>for food service managers</i>)*</td></tr>
</table><p><i>*Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i>
</p><h3 id="section---WhatCoursesWillITake">What Courses Will I Take?</h3><p>The courses required in restaurant management bachelor's degree programs cover a wide range of food service principles and business concepts. You take courses about food safety and sanitation, workplace hygiene, alcohol service, nutrition and catering. Other courses include baking, pastry, food preparation and world cuisine.
</p><p>You also learn about cost controls, leadership, marketing and accounting. Foreign language courses are also often included, allowing you to communicate with international staff and customers. Many restaurant management bachelor's degree programs include significant time spent observing and learning through internships and other hands-on experiences.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatWillMyJobProspectsBeLike">What Will My Job Prospects Be Like?</h3><p>According to the BLS, restaurant management job growth was projected to increase by 1% from 2019-2029, and new jobs were expected to open up for food service managers in cafeterias, restaurants and catering services. As of May of 2020, the mean annual wage for food service managers was $61,000.</p>
