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Food service manager vs beverage manager

The differences between food service managers and beverage managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a food service manager and a beverage manager. Additionally, a beverage manager has an average salary of $53,129, which is higher than the $43,564 average annual salary of a food service manager.

The top three skills for a food service manager include customer service, sanitation standards and cleanliness. The most important skills for a beverage manager are wine, customer service, and BARS.

Food service manager vs beverage manager overview

Food Service ManagerBeverage Manager
Yearly salary$43,564$53,129
Hourly rate$20.94$25.54
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs160,74090,318
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 42%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Average age3939
Years of experience44

What does a food service manager do?

A food service manager's role is to oversee and supervise all operations in a restaurant or a similar setting. They are primarily responsible for ensuring customer satisfaction through optimal foodservice, an efficient workforce, and a safe and healthy environment. A food service manager must also greet customers, escort them to their tables, handle any issues and concerns, manage the employees, train new hires, manage the payroll and budget, and coordinate with all restaurant personnel. Furthermore, a food service manager must delegate tasks among employees and assign their schedules accordingly.

What does a beverage manager do?

A beverage manager oversees the beverage programs of dining and drinking establishments, from planning to execution. Their job is to manage the day-to-day operations, supervise and delegate responsibilities among staff, organize schedules and activities, set objectives and guidelines, monitor inventories to ensure an adequate supply of beverages, and coordinate with suppliers to purchase orders, building positive business relationships in the process. Moreover, a beverage manager monitors operations and resolves issues promptly and professionally, all while implementing policies and regulations.

Food service manager vs beverage manager salary

Food service managers and beverage managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Food Service ManagerBeverage Manager
Average salary$43,564$53,129
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $66,000Between $39,000 And $72,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYAtlantic City, NJ
Highest paying stateRhode IslandNew Jersey
Best paying companyKern Community College DistrictPalmerHouse Properties
Best paying industryGovernmentHospitality

Differences between food service manager and beverage manager education

There are a few differences between a food service manager and a beverage manager in terms of educational background:

Food Service ManagerBeverage Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 42%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeCornell UniversityCornell University

Food service manager vs beverage manager demographics

Here are the differences between food service managers' and beverage managers' demographics:

Food Service ManagerBeverage Manager
Average age3939
Gender ratioMale, 45.8% Female, 54.2%Male, 69.0% Female, 31.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.5% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.2% Asian, 8.5% White, 58.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%Black or African American, 10.5% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 17.6% Asian, 8.4% White, 57.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage10%10%

Differences between food service manager and beverage manager duties and responsibilities

Food service manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage all aspects of the human resources task, including hiring, training, payroll, and the negotiated contract.
  • Manage operations and provide support to a team of 245 union employees at various elementary, middle and high school cafeterias.
  • Manage inventory, ordering and delivery of groceries.
  • Train food & nutrition team in SERVSAFE, HACCP, knife skills and environmental safety.
  • Maintain all Intel, Aramark and ServSafe safety, sanitation and security guidelines.
  • Review and complete adequate weekly sales projections, with mastery of using POS system
  • Show more

Beverage manager example responsibilities.

  • Lead bartenders in everyday functions and assist with inventory control.
  • Work closely with management to develop departmental goals, product quality, and brand standards; assure department appearance and cleanliness.
  • Familiarize myself with bartending in a casual, fine, and banquet setting.
  • Adhere to local and government cleanliness restrictions in order to run a clean and health department abiding facility.
  • Utilize POS system to accurately charge customers, track revenue reports and ensure timeliness of food and beverage.
  • Participate in the selection, design, development of new POS system and are in charge of weekly inventory.
  • Show more

Food service manager vs beverage manager skills

Common food service manager skills
  • Customer Service, 27%
  • Sanitation Standards, 10%
  • Cleanliness, 7%
  • Patients, 6%
  • Kitchen Equipment, 5%
  • Food Handling, 4%
Common beverage manager skills
  • Wine, 18%
  • Customer Service, 10%
  • BARS, 9%
  • Guest Service, 4%
  • Beverage Service, 4%
  • Guest Satisfaction, 4%

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