Food service manager vs catering manager

The differences between food service managers and catering 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 catering manager. Additionally, a catering manager has an average salary of $51,962, 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 catering manager are customer service, culinary, and food service.

Food service manager vs catering manager overview

	Food Service Manager	Catering Manager
Yearly salary	$43,564	$51,962
Hourly rate	$20.94	$24.98
Growth rate	10%	10%
Number of jobs	160,740	88,658
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 42%	Bachelor's Degree, 57%
Average age	39	39
Years of experience	4	4

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 catering manager do?

Catering managers are responsible for managing the daily catering operations and services in hotels, restaurants, and resorts. They monitor the quality of food and service provided by their outlets as well as make sure they are presented well. Their goals include achieving high customer satisfaction, producing excellent quality food, and maintaining that sanitary protocols are strictly followed. A degree is not a standard requirement for this job; however, employers do value those who have relevant qualifications with food, home, hotel, and hospitality management.

Food service manager vs catering manager salary

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

	Food Service Manager	Catering Manager
Average salary	$43,564	$51,962
Salary range	Between $28,000 And $66,000	Between $37,000 And $71,000
Highest paying City	New York, NY	Santa Clara, CA
Highest paying state	Rhode Island	Nevada
Best paying company	Kern Community College District	Brigham and Women's Hospital
Best paying industry	Government	Hospitality

Differences between food service manager and catering manager education

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

	Food Service Manager	Catering Manager
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 42%	Bachelor's Degree, 57%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	Cornell University	Cornell University

Food service manager vs catering manager demographics

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

	Food Service Manager	Catering Manager
Average age	39	39
Gender ratio	Male, 45.8% Female, 54.2%	Male, 36.7% Female, 63.3%
Race ratio	Black 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, 11.3% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 17.4% Asian, 8.4% White, 57.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage	10%	10%

Differences between food service manager and catering 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

Catering manager example responsibilities.

Prepare and manage BEOs to client specifications including auto-visual requirements.
Assist patients by test tasting food for allergies and accuracy.
Design and consult members on d cor, menu and wine selection for private events.
Ensure that those with food allergies or restrict diets have appropriate safe dishes to consume at meal times.
Work closely with culinary, stewarding and banquet department on specialty menus and customize events.
Full responsibility for all operations of several bars during service time including reporting and finance management.

Food service manager vs catering manager skills

Common food service manager skills

Customer Service, 27%
Sanitation Standards, 10%
Cleanliness, 7%
Patients, 6%
Kitchen Equipment, 5%
Food Handling, 4%

Common catering manager skills

Customer Service, 25%
Culinary, 10%
Food Service, 10%
Excellent Client, 6%
Booking, 4%
Customer Satisfaction, 4%

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Food Service Manager vs Catering Manager

Updated January 8, 2025

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