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What does a multi-unit manager do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
What does a multi-unit manager do

A multi-unit manager is responsible for supervising multiple departments and overseeing various process sectors within an organization. Multi-unit managers handle the budget limitations for each unit, allocating adequate resources to support business functions and client requirements. They recruit and train new staff, review compensation details with the human resources department, respond to employees' concerns, and facilitate training and programs that would maximize the staff's productivity and efficiency. A multi-unit manager must have excellent communication and leadership skills, especially in determining and achieving goals for the team and ensuring the highest customer satisfaction.

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Multi-unit manager responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real multi-unit manager resumes:

  • 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.
  • Train assistant managers and employees in operations of the restaurant that exceed quality service and cleanliness expectations.
  • Create implementation plans to support execution of Starbucks initiatives to achieve both operational excellence and business results.
  • Train and manage FOH staff and improve overall quality, organization and professionalism of restaurant and bakery.

Multi-unit manager skills and personality traits

We calculated that 27% of Multi-Unit Managers are proficient in Customer Service, Work Ethic, and Product Knowledge. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Leadership skills, and Management skills.

We break down the percentage of Multi-Unit Managers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Customer Service, 27%

    Increased same store sales and decreased operating costs by successfully building a management team focused on customer service and fiscal responsibility.

  • Work Ethic, 20%

    Provided strong work ethic and demonstrated enthusiasm to learn; motivated and empowered team to execute efficiently

  • Product Knowledge, 11%

    Established employee performance targets, provided sales coaching, and delivered product knowledge education to support revenue growth and minimize returns/cancellations.

  • Food Safety, 3%

    Designed and implemented new HACCP guidelines ensuring food quality and minimizing food safety hazards.

  • Payroll, 3%

    Ensured completion of quarterly projections; and managed labor demon forecasting and payroll and talent acquisition efforts.

  • Restaurant Operations, 3%

    Observed restaurant operations, and worked with management to identify opportunities.

Common skills that a multi-unit manager uses to do their job include "customer service," "work ethic," and "product knowledge." You can find details on the most important multi-unit manager responsibilities below.

Communication skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a multi-unit manager to have is communication skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "top executives must be able to convey information clearly and persuasively." Multi-unit managers often use communication skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "implement structured systems involving daily/weekly communication, direct reports and feedback. "

Leadership skills. Another essential skill to perform multi-unit manager duties is leadership skills. Multi-unit managers responsibilities require that "top executives must be able to shape and direct an organization by coordinating policies, people, and resources." Multi-unit managers also use leadership skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "orchestrate visits by key leadership teams, including zone directors, loss prevention and human resource partners. "

Problem-solving skills. A big part of what multi-unit managers do relies on "problem-solving skills." You can see how essential it is to multi-unit manager responsibilities because "top executives need to identify and resolve issues within an organization." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical multi-unit manager tasks: "skilled in high risk employee relations and loss prevention investigation, interview, and resolution. "

Time-management skills. Another crucial skill for a multi-unit manager to carry out their responsibilities is "time-management skills." A big part of what multi-unit managers relies on this skill, since "top executives do many tasks concurrently to ensure that their work gets done and that the organization meets its goals." How this skill relates to multi-unit manager duties can be seen in an example from a multi-unit manager resume snippet: "conducted performance reviews for all customer service representatives to reduce resolution time and improve customer satisfaction rates. "

All multi-unit manager skills

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Compare different multi-unit managers

Multi-unit manager vs. Co-manager/store manager

A co-manager/store manager oversees the daily operations of a store, ensuring smooth workflow and customer satisfaction. They are in charge of setting goals and sales targets, establishing guidelines and timelines, delegating responsibilities among staff, and developing strategies to optimize store operations. They are also responsible for monitoring all store activities, addressing issues and concerns, and resolving them promptly and efficiently. Moreover, as a co-manager/store manager, it is essential to manage and supervise staff, leading them to reach goals while implementing the store's policies and regulations.

If we compare the average multi-unit manager annual salary with that of a co-manager/store manager, we find that co-manager/store managers typically earn a $23,187 lower salary than multi-unit managers make annually.Even though multi-unit managers and co-manager/store managers are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require customer service, product knowledge, and food safety in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a multi-unit manager are more likely to require skills like "work ethic," "excellent interpersonal," "restaurant operations," and "customer satisfaction." On the other hand, a job as a co-manager/store manager requires skills like "store associates," "merchandise presentation," "sales floor," and "drive sales." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

On average, co-manager/store managers reach similar levels of education than multi-unit managers. Co-manager/store managers are 2.1% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.0% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Multi-unit manager vs. Area manager

An Area Manager's responsibility is to oversee the business operations of all company branches within a particular area. Among the tasks involve creating strategies to achieve the sales target, monitoring and evaluating the performance and progress of stores including their workforce, adhering to the budget and regulations of the company, and focus on attaining the image and financial goals. Moreover, an Area Manager must communicate and coordinate with fellow managers and hire employees that would be a vital member of the company.

A career as a area manager brings a higher average salary when compared to the average annual salary of a multi-unit manager. In fact, area managers salary is $8,769 higher than the salary of multi-unit managers per year.While the salary may differ for these jobs, they share a few skills needed to perform their duties. Based on resume data, both multi-unit managers and area managers have skills such as "customer service," "work ethic," and "product knowledge. "

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that multi-unit manager responsibilities requires skills like "food safety," "restaurant operations," "cleanliness," and "guest service." But an area manager might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "safety standards," "logistics," "business plan," and "continuous improvement."

Area managers earn a higher average salary than multi-unit managers. But area managers earn the highest pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $77,221. Additionally, multi-unit managers earn the highest salaries in the retail with average pay of $63,109 annually.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Area managers tend to reach similar levels of education than multi-unit managers. In fact, they're 1.6% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Multi-unit manager vs. Lead manager

A lead manager is primarily in charge of overseeing the progress of a particular office or department. Although the responsibilities will vary depending on their industry, it will typically revolve around producing progress reports, reviewing documentation and transactions, managing the budget, procuring supplies, and devising strategies to generate leads and reach goals faster. Furthermore, as a lead manager, it is essential to spearhead projects and encourage staff, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

On average scale, lead managers bring in higher salaries than multi-unit managers. In fact, they earn a $37,180 higher salary per year.Using the responsibilities included on multi-unit managers and lead managers resumes, we found that both professions have similar skill requirements, such as "customer service," "product knowledge," and "payroll.rdquo;

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a multi-unit manager is likely to be skilled in "work ethic," "excellent interpersonal," "food safety," and "restaurant operations," while a typical lead manager is skilled in "safety procedures," "sales floor," "gross margin," and "pet."

Lead managers earn the highest salary when working in the retail industry, where they receive an average salary of $115,262. Comparatively, multi-unit managers have the highest earning potential in the retail industry, with an average salary of $63,109.When it comes to education, lead managers tend to earn similar degree levels compared to multi-unit managers. In fact, they're 1.9% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.6% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Multi-unit manager vs. Area operations manager

In an organization, an area operations manager takes responsibility in every aspect of safety and health. The area operations managers report and oversee the performance of individuals and teams within the enterprise. They manage corporate activities involving the production of goods and services. The scope of their responsibilities includes business processes, design, plan, performance improvement, control, and operations strategy. They should develop strong communication and negotiation skills, customer awareness, and good motivational skills.

Area operations managers typically earn lower pay than multi-unit managers. On average, area operations managers earn a $15,447 lower salary per year.While their salaries may vary, multi-unit managers and area operations managers both use similar skills to perform their duties. Resumes from both professions include skills like "customer service," "payroll," and "customer satisfaction. "Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. A multi-unit manager uses "work ethic," "product knowledge," "excellent interpersonal," and "food safety." Area operations managers are more likely to have duties that require skills in "logistics," "process improvement," "osha," and "corrective action. "area operations managers enjoy the best pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $60,005. For comparison, multi-unit managers earn the highest salary in the retail industry.area operations managers reach similar levels of education compared to multi-unit managers, in general. The difference is that they're 3.7% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.4% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of multi-unit manager

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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