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What is a multi-unit manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
Quoted experts
Steve Wages Ph.D.,
Kerem Cakirer Ph.D.
introduction image

Multi-unit managers usually work for franchise businesses and oversee operations in various locations. This is a full-time position that requires commitment, expertise, and previous experience in managerial positions.

A multi-unit manager is responsible for overseeing daily operations that keep businesses running. They are the one to take care of recruiting, hiring, and training staff. They are also responsible for making sure their company's expenses remain within the budget allocated by central management and for guaranteeing each location generates sufficient revenue.

They are expected to motivate their team and achieve excellent customer service with them. They review their teams' performance and come up with plans for improvements whenever necessary. They follow up on training progress and prepare reports on their results to inform management about how the locations under their watch are doing.

What general advice would you give to a multi-unit manager?

Steve Wages Ph.D.Steve Wages Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Director, Cloverdale Center for Youth and Family, Faulkner University

As soon as possible, establish a formal mentoring relationship with someone who is seasoned in pastoral counseling. Generally, the research demonstrates that the performance of employees with mentors is of a higher quality, they advance in their responsibilities and careers faster, and they avoid common mistakes exhibited by other employees. Establish short-term goals (6 months) for your position and a plan for overcoming obstacles; then ask your mentor to hold you accountable for implementing your plan. As part of your self-care. you also need to be proactive in developing a few close friendships, perhaps including colleagues, who can be a source of emotional support and encouragement to you personally.

You should be confident in your training while also being realistic and transparent about your limitations. There is still a lot that you do not know and much you will learn with experience. Until then, be willing to say "I don't know" when faced with problems you have not addressed before. Then commit to learning more about the issue through personal study and/or consulting with a more experienced colleague or mentor. In some cases, you may need to invite a more experienced counselor to meet with a client or where appropriate refer them to someone else.

You need to equip yourself to address structural changes to the delivery of pastoral care and counseling as a consequence of the pandemic. You will need to adapt to providing pastoral counseling virtually perhaps via Zoom sessions. Give thought as to how the virtual context impacts the counseling process and the spiritual resources you employ. For example, if you are comfortable praying with a client in your office, will you be equally inclined to pray with them online or over a phone. In light of the pandemic, Dr. Chuck Lawless noted, "Good pastoral care has required being more proactive than reactive." Ordinarily, pastoral counselors are reactive in that they respond to needs when they hear about them or when they are
ScoreMulti-Unit ManagerUS Average
Salary
5.1

Avg. Salary $64,703

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
9.6

Growth rate 6%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
3.5
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.47%

Asian 6.43%

Black or African American 6.25%

Hispanic or Latino 15.42%

Unknown 4.35%

White 67.09%

Gender

female 28.17%

male 71.83%

Age - 44
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 44
Stress level
9.6

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
9.2

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance
3.6

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Multi-unit manager career paths

Key steps to become a multi-unit manager

  1. Explore multi-unit manager education requirements

    Most common multi-unit manager degrees

    Bachelor's

    55.7 %

    Associate

    23.3 %

    High School Diploma

    9.3 %
  2. Start to develop specific multi-unit manager skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Customer Service26.86%
    Work Ethic19.95%
    Product Knowledge11.36%
    Food Safety3.46%
    Payroll2.90%
  3. Complete relevant multi-unit manager training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New multi-unit managers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a multi-unit manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real multi-unit manager resumes.
  4. Gain additional multi-unit manager certifications

    Multi-unit manager certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific multi-unit manager certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

    The most common certifications for multi-unit managers include Food Safety Manager Certification and ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification.

    More About Certifications
  5. Research multi-unit manager duties and responsibilities

    • Ensure completion of quarterly projections; and manage labor demon forecasting and payroll and talent acquisition efforts.
    • Create implementation plans to support execution of Starbucks initiatives to achieve both operational excellence and business results.
    • Maintain cleanliness of the kitchen, as well as the equipment on a daily, weekly and monthly basis.
    • Perform human-resource-management activities involving unemployment insurance, benefits, payroll, and new-employee hiring.
  6. Prepare your multi-unit manager resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your multi-unit manager resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a multi-unit manager resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable multi-unit manager resume templates

    Build a professional multi-unit manager resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your multi-unit manager resume.
    Multi-Unit Manager Resume
    Multi-Unit Manager Resume
    Multi-Unit Manager Resume
    Multi-Unit Manager Resume
    Multi-Unit Manager Resume
    Multi-Unit Manager Resume
    Multi-Unit Manager Resume
    Multi-Unit Manager Resume
    Multi-Unit Manager Resume
  7. Apply for multi-unit manager jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a multi-unit manager job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first multi-unit manager job

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Average multi-unit manager salary

The average multi-unit manager salary in the United States is $64,703 per year or $31 per hour. Multi-unit manager salaries range between $48,000 and $87,000 per year.

Average multi-unit manager salary
$64,703 Yearly
$31.11 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do multi-unit managers rate their job?

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Multi-unit manager reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Apr 2023
Pros

High energy job, fast paced, social interactions.

Cons

Long hours, late nights, staffing, constantly adjusting to economic changes.


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2022
Pros

Helping my stores and employees achieve there goals

Cons

Only one day off no time for family


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A zippia user wrote a review on Apr 2022
Cons

In reality, i do not complain as its who i am

Pros

I have leadership skills I always hire employees who like to work in a team I like to see sales increase and love to see the best customer service is given


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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