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Restaurant manager

Alternative titles for this job include Fast food restaurant manager, hotel restaurant manager

Restaurant managers organise the day-to-day running of their venue and make sure customers are happy with the food and service they receive.

Average salary (a year)

£18,000 Starter

to

£28,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

42 to 44 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays on split shifts

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become a restaurant manager

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
  • a graduate training scheme

College

You could do a college course, which would teach you some of the skills you'll need in this job. Courses include:

  • Level 3 Diploma in Hospitality Supervision and Leadership
  • Level 4 Diploma in Hospitality Leadership

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
  • 1 or 2 A levels, a level 3 diploma or relevant experience for a level 4 or level 5 course

More Information

Apprenticeship

You could work towards this role by doing a hospitality supervisor advanced apprenticeship and continue with further training on the job.

You could also take a hospitality manager higher apprenticeship, if you've got supervisory experience in restaurant work.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

More Information

Work

You could move up to a management position after working as part of the restaurant staff, for example head waiter or kitchen manager.

With experience and qualifications you could take on more management responsibilities.

Other Routes

You could apply for a place on a graduate training scheme. Many large restaurants and fast food chains run schemes that can lead to management jobs.

You'll usually need a university qualification to get a place. For example, a degree in hospitality management is useful but many employers will accept other subjects.

More Information

Further information

Find out more about careers and training from the Hospitality Guild.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • customer service skills
  • leadership skills
  • the ability to motivate and manage staff
  • the ability to work well with others
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • business management skills
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • knowledge of food production methods
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As a restaurant manager, you could:

  • plan menus with your chefs
  • organise shifts and rotas for kitchen and waiting staff
  • manage stock control and budgets
  • work closely with food and drink suppliers
  • make sure the restaurant follows licensing, food hygiene, and health and safety rules
  • recruit new staff and help to train them
  • work on plans for large events like weddings or birthdays
  • deal with customer complaints

Working environment

You could work at a restaurant.

Your working environment may be physically demanding.

You may need to wear a uniform.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could become a regional manager with a restaurant or hotel chain.

You could also move into catering for large events or set up your own independent restaurant business.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Shift Supervisor Apprentice

  • Wage: £14,680.00 Annually
  • Location: Not known

Apprentice Shift Manager - Dudley

  • Wage: £17,160.00 Annually
  • Location: The Boulevard, Dudley
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Hospitality Management - HNC*

  • Provider: BLACKPOOL AND THE FYLDE COLLEGE
  • Start date: 11 September 2023
  • Location: Blackpool

BTEC Level 4 HNC Hospitality Management

  • Provider: WALSALL COLLEGE
  • Start date: 19 September 2023
  • Location: Walsall
Find courses near you

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