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Food service specialist vs front of house manager

The differences between food service specialists and front of house managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a front of house manager has an average salary of $41,163, which is higher than the $29,286 average annual salary of a food service specialist.

The top three skills for a food service specialist include kitchen equipment, preventive maintenance and MOS. The most important skills for a front of house manager are cleanliness, guest satisfaction, and wine.

Food service specialist vs front of house manager overview

Food Service SpecialistFront Of House Manager
Yearly salary$29,286$41,163
Hourly rate$14.08$19.79
Growth rate2%10%
Number of jobs95,112221,210
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 35%Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Average age3739
Years of experience-4

What does a food service specialist do?

The food service specialists monitor food preparation, ensuring that the guests get their correct orders, providing them the best dining experience and satisfaction. A food service specialist takes the guests' orders, processes their payments, and serves their orders timely and efficiently. They also monitor the stock inventories, coordinate with suppliers and third-party vendors for stock requests, and assist with kitchen duties as needed, especially on high volume days. A food service specialist must have a broad knowledge of the food services industry, analyzing the current food trends to make suggestions for menus, and responding to the guests' concerns.

What does a front of house manager do?

A front of house manager coordinates and supervises the front house team. Front of house managers make sure that every client receives a warm welcome. They see to it that all house services are performed smoothly. The scope of their duties and responsibilities may involve the recruitment of team members. They carry out administrative tasks in an organization or establishment such as a theater, concert hall, or restaurant. It is their job to handle the preparation and daily operations of these areas.

Food service specialist vs front of house manager salary

Food service specialists and front of house managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Food Service SpecialistFront Of House Manager
Average salary$29,286$41,163
Salary rangeBetween $19,000 And $43,000Between $27,000 And $61,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYNew York, NY
Highest paying stateNew YorkNew York
Best paying companyBrookhaven National LaboratoryCisco
Best paying industryGovernmentHospitality

Differences between food service specialist and front of house manager education

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

Food Service SpecialistFront Of House Manager
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 35%Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Food service specialist vs front of house manager demographics

Here are the differences between food service specialists' and front of house managers' demographics:

Food Service SpecialistFront Of House Manager
Average age3739
Gender ratioMale, 57.1% Female, 42.9%Male, 42.0% Female, 58.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.7% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.6% Asian, 6.7% White, 58.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%Black or African American, 11.0% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.4% Asian, 8.3% White, 58.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage10%10%

Differences between food service specialist and front of house manager duties and responsibilities

Food service specialist example responsibilities.

  • Regulate temperatures of ovens, broilers, and grills.
  • Apply a vast number or USDA and USDC Standards/Specifications to determine compliance with contractual requirements.
  • Maintain a safe work environment for the preparation of food through sanitation and HACCP procedures.
  • Inspect prepared foods place on the serving line to ensure temperature and quality follow ServSafe protocols.
  • Utilize the techniques of roasting, broiling, frying, grilling, steaming, and baking.
  • Ensure that food purchase and procure for multiple units is in accordance with DOD and USDA standards and contractual documents.
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Front of house manager example responsibilities.

  • Plan and manage all windows design and implementations.
  • Manage a dedicate Linux web server; install new vhosts accounts including a cpanel via WHM software.
  • Manage the development of a hybrid Linux desktop deploy to an acquire company to aid in application integration.
  • Manage and full responsible for the daily operation of all bars outlet, main bar, and banquet bar service.
  • Manage all holiday reservations and seating including staffing of all cater events.
  • Manage daily operations of the front-of-the-house functions in the restaurant, including appearance, presentation, customer experience and professional leadership.
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Food service specialist vs front of house manager skills

Common food service specialist skills
  • Kitchen Equipment, 33%
  • Preventive Maintenance, 24%
  • MOS, 9%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • Cleanliness, 4%
  • Patients, 4%
Common front of house manager skills
  • Cleanliness, 16%
  • Guest Satisfaction, 8%
  • Wine, 8%
  • Guest Service, 8%
  • POS, 7%
  • Customer Service, 6%

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