Restaurant Manager Resume Sample, Skills, Templates, and More

The first thing you need is a restaurant manager resume that shows your potential employer you have what it takes to take care of all the operations. Describe the professional experience and skills that have prepared you for the position.

Remember that a resume should be brief but have all the relevant information to convince the recruiter to invite you for an interview. Let's look at some topics we'll cover in this article to help you write your resume.

• A sample restaurant manager resume that lists all the sections you should have in your resume.
• The management skills that the hiring manager will be looking for in your resume.
• The professional experience that every restaurant manager should have on their resume.
• Resume tips to help you boost your resume and ensure that it stands out.

Additional Information on Salary and the Job Market for Restaurant Managers

According to the U.S Bureau of Statistics, the employment of food service managers is projected to grow 15 percent from 2020 to 2030, faster than the average for all occupations.

The industries with the highest levels of employment in Food Service Managers include:

• Restaurants and other eating places
• Special food services
• Management of companies and enterprises
• Traveler accommodation
• Elementary and Secondary schools

The average yearly salary for a restaurant manager is $57,000. The typical range is between $46,000 and $67,000, depending on the level of education, skills, and professional experience.

How to Write a Perfect Resume for a Restaurant Manager

Landing a restaurant manager position is a great accomplishment.

But, how do you get a position in this competitive industry?

Your resume must have all the requirements that the hiring manager is looking for. Read through the job description and tailor your resume to match these requirements. This will make your job search much easier.

Hiring managers get many resumes and use applicant tracking systems to filter out the resumes that don't have the qualifications they are looking for. Ensure that yours is not among these by using keywords and action verbs to optimize your resume.

Another thing that hiring managers don't like is long resumes. Create a one-page resume that summarizes your relevant skills and experience. Check out our resume examples and get some ideas on the essential areas you need to have on your resume.

Consider your resume format, layout, and structure because these are crucial and will determine whether the recruiter reads your resume or not. Let's look at them in detail.

Resume Format, Layout, and Structure

Here are three common formats that you can choose from.

• Reverse-chronological format - This is a format loved by recruiters because it focuses on experience and is easy to scan on ATS systems. If you have experience working in the restaurant industry as a manager or doing any other food service work, it's the right format for you.
• Functional resume format - If you're changing your career or recently graduated, use this format to detail your qualifications. It focuses on your skills, allowing you to highlight the transferable skills you gained from your previous career or school.
• Combination/hybrid resume - This format highlights your skills and experience, combining the best features of the two previous formats. This is the right format for you if you have the perfect blend of both.

The layout refers to the font, font size, and margin size, which either make it easy or hard to read your resume. Some of the best fonts to consider include Times New Roman, Verdana, Calibri, Georgia, Helvetica, and Arial. The font size should be 10-12pt, and the margin size should be about one inch on all sides.

The structure of your restaurant manager resume should have the following sections:

• The header section
• Resume summary/resume objective
• Work experience
• Education section
• Skills section
• An additional section (languages, volunteer work, computer skills and certifications, awards/honors, and interests)

Begin Your Resume with A Header Section

The header should be well-structured, ensuring that all the required personal details are in this section. They should also be accurate because the hiring manager needs this information to contact you. Here are the details you'll add to this section.

• Your full name
• Job title
• Phone number
• Professional email address
• Location
• A link to your LinkedIn profile.

Correct example

Incorrect example

Photo or no photo?

If you're considering adding a photo to your resume, don't! Most hiring managers believe that it can cause discrimination against a candidate. The only exception is when a recruiter asks you to send one, in which case, it should be a passport-sized, professional photo.

Add Your Professional Experience As A Restaurant Manager

The experience section is always vital because most recruiters will go to this section first to see what you can do. If you've worked in the food service industry, list your work history, starting with your most recent job.

Restaurant management jobs will vary depending on the establishment. Prioritize the relevant experience and add three to five job responsibilities under each workplace. As you add your responsibilities, include figures and facts which quantify your results and show the recruiter the results you could bring to the company.

When adding the experience, start with the name of the workplace, your job title, and the employment dates. Usually, you only need to add about three previous workplaces, so choose the ones that count and will give you a chance of getting an interview.

Example for an entry-level restaurant manager

Example for experienced restaurant managers

Make Your Education Section Shine

Every restaurant manager job is different and will have specific requirements depending on what the recruiter is looking for. Most restaurant workers get into the industry with a high school diploma and work their way up.

Some jobs will require a college degree, while others will look at your experience as most individuals in this field learn on the job. Check the job description of the position you're applying for and add the required academic qualifications.

The structure of your education section should have the name of the degree/diploma, the name of the school, and the year of graduation. If you have a college degree or master's, you don't need to add your high school diploma.

Correct example

Highlight Your Restaurant Management Skills

Knowing how to use the skills section to your advantage increases your chances of landing a job. List the abilities that will help you succeed in the job, considering the right keywords that match the ones in the job description.

Your food service skills and ability to take care of administrative responsibilities will play a major role in helping your resume stand out. Restaurant owners want to ensure that their establishments are in good hands and customer satisfaction is maximized.

A list of your hard and soft skills will help them understand what your abilities are and whether it's what they're looking for. Hard skills are teachable and require some training to master. Soft skills are personal attributes that are non-technical that allow you to interact well with customers and colleagues. Use our HR-approved resume templates to structure this section of your resume.

Let's look at the list of skills you should have on your restaurant manager resume.

Hard skills

• Business management
• Inventory control
• Cash register operation
• Schedule management
• Labor cost controls
• Budgeting
• Restaurant management
• Product Development

Soft skills

• Interpersonal skills
• Excellent customer service
• Creative skills
• Strong communication skills
• Problem-solving skills
• Customer satisfaction
• Organization skills
• Attention to detail

Professional Summary For Your Restaurant Manager Resume

The professional summary is a section of your resume highlighting your top accomplishments and introducing your resume to the recruiter. It also summarizes your relevant skills and experience and should be catchy to get the recruiter's attention. If you have a figure or fact to quantify your result, add it as it will increase your chances of landing an interview.

Correct example

Incorrect example

Restaurant Manager Resume Objective

When do you use a professional/resume objective?

If you're a recent graduate or a career changer, a resume objective allows you to introduce your resume by describing your professional goals. Once you've mentioned your goals, show the recruiter how they align with the company goals and express your interest in working for the company you've applied to.

Correct example

Always Include An Additional Section That Makes You Stand Out

Writing a resume without this section leaves everything to chance. You need this section to show the recruiter what differentiates you from the other candidates. Detail your additional qualifications and mention the skills you don't want the recruiter to miss as they go through your resume.

Here are some of the sections you should consider.

Computer Skills and Certifications

Restaurant managers may not be required to master complex programming languages but need basic computer skills for the day-to-day running of the establishment. They need these skills to operate the cash register and use restaurant management software for various tasks. If you have these skills, add them under this section to ensure that the recruiter doesn't miss them.

Certifications will help you stand out and beat the competition. They show the recruiter that you have additional education and training in restaurant management. Always add them under this section instead of the education section to make it easy for your potential employer to see them. Some of the certifications that will help your restaurant management resume stand out include:

• Certified Restaurant Manager
• FoodService Management Professional
• Certified Master Safe Technician

Interests

Your interests will help you stand out, especially if they align with the company culture. Before adding them, research the establishment you want to join and get information on their culture and values.

Languages

Bilingual candidates always have the edge over their competitors, and the recruiter should not miss this qualification on your resume. Add your languages under this section and use the official language reference when listing them as follows:

• DELF for French (with a score of 60% and above)
• Germany's Goethe-Zertifikat (70%) or higher is required.
• TOEFL for English
• SIELE for Spanish

Tips To Enhance Your Resume

• Use a template to structure your resume and ensure you don't leave out any crucial section.
• Quantify your accomplishments using figures and facts as you list your job duties.
• The right keywords and action verbs make all the difference in your resume as they help your resume get past the ATS systems.
• Focus on adding your relevant work experience and skills.
• Use the job description to determine what the recruiter is looking for and tailor your resume to match the requirements.
• Proofread the resume and ensure that there are no mistakes in your resume before sending it.

Summary: Major Takeaways for Writing a Professional Restaurant Manager Resume

• The first section of your resume should have accurate details that the recruiter will use to contact you.
• The resume summary/objective should be catchy and engaging to get the recruiter's attention.
• List your previous roles in the work experience section, starting with your most recent job.
• Add your academic qualifications in the education section, prioritizing your highest qualifications.
• List your skills using bullet points and separate the hard skills from the soft skills.
• Have an additional section that highlights your additional qualifications.

Attach a Cover Letter To Complement Your Resume

A cover letter strengthens your application as it allows you to give more details about your qualifications. If you send a resume without a cover letter, you risk losing your chance at the position. This is your opportunity to showcase your writing skills and great personality to get the recruiter's attention. The only time you're allowed to send your application without a cover letter is when the recruiter asks you not to send one. Check out our cover letter examples.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which top companies are hiring restaurant managers?

According to Glassdoor, these companies are hiring for restaurant management jobs.

• McDonald's
• Chipotle
• Love's Travel Stops and Country Stores
• Panera bread
• Taco Bell
• Marriott International
• Burger King
• Chick-fil-A

Which college degree does a restaurant manager need?

Bachelor's degree in Business, Culinary Arts, or Hospitality Management.