How long does it take to become a manager at a restaurant?

It takes about four to six years to become a manager at a restaurant. Restaurant managers usually work in the food industry for several years before being promoted to a managerial position.

How much do general managers of restaurants make?

General managers of restaurants make about $65,000 a year. On the low end of the pay range for general restaurant managers is a salary of approximately $55,000 annually. Meanwhile, the highest-paid general restaurant managers make $80,000 in a year.

How much should a restaurant manager be paid?

A restaurant manager should be paid according to their education and experience levels. The median pay for restaurant managers is around $52,000 per year. On the lower end of the pay scale, a person may make just under $50,000 annually. Meanwhile, restaurant managers at the highest pay bracket can expect a salary of around $77,000 in a year.

Is it hard to become a restaurant manager?

No, it is not hard to become a restaurant manager. This industry is one of the few careers that offer the most entry-level flexibility to achieve the position. There are many ways to become a restaurant manager, depending on a person's aptitude and natural skill set.

What degree do you need to be a restaurant manager?

You do not need a degree to be a restaurant manager; however, there are many degrees that can help you in this profession. Many restaurant managers get their jobs based on experience and working their way up the ladder in the food industry.

What qualifications do you need to become a restaurant manager?

The qualifications you need to become a restaurant manager vary, but the minimum qualification is a high school diploma or equivalent. This, paired with restaurant experience, will position a person to become a restaurant manager.

What is a restaurant manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted Experts

Dr. John C. Niser,

Robert Brymer Ph.D.

A restaurant manager oversees the daily operations of a restaurant, ensuring that everything runs smoothly and efficiently. They hire and train staff, create work schedules, manage inventory and finances, and ensure customer satisfaction. Restaurant managers also develop marketing strategies to attract new customers and maintain relationships with existing ones. They must have excellent leadership and communication skills, as well as a thorough understanding of the food service industry.

What general advice would you give to a Restaurant Manager?

Dr. John C. Niser

Director, Fairleigh Dickinson University

The wrong approach is to look for a job for the sake of employment alone. The right approach starts by understanding who you are, what you are passionate about, and what you are good at doing. Think of it as choosing a business partnership in which you have to be sure you can bring something valuable to the enterprise and, in exchange, get something that is rewarding for you. It is also OK to try things out, especially using internships, but always put your heart into the job, even if it turns out not to be your favorite long term option. Lastly, cultivate your network, make sure you give a lot, and take as little as possible from it until you really need it.

ScoreRestaurant ManagerUS Average

Salary

4.1

Avg. Salary $52,202

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level

9.1

Growth Rate 10%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity

7.4

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.58%

Asian 9.40%

Black or African American 10.64%

Hispanic or Latino 17.93%

Unknown 5.51%

White 55.95%

Gender

female 45.54%

male 54.46%

Age - 38

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 - 38

Stress Level

9.1

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity Level

5.3

Complexity Level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance

5.0

Work Life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a Restaurant Manager?

Pros

Developing and managing a team
Constantly learning about new culinary trends and techniques
Building relationships with regular customers
Meeting new people and networking opportunities
Job security in a growing industry

Cons

Dealing with difficult customers or employees
Maintaining quality control while managing costs
Balancing the needs of customers, staff, and owners
Dealing with unexpected problems or emergencies regularly
High turnover rate in the industry leading to constant recruiting and training

Key steps to become a restaurant manager

Explore restaurant manager education requirements

Most common restaurant manager degrees

Bachelor's

50.4 %

Associate

23.4 %

High School Diploma

15.0 %

Start to develop specific restaurant manager skills

Skills	Percentages
Customer Service	14.22%
Guest Satisfaction	7.22%
Food Handling	6.64%
Cleanliness	6.29%
Restaurant Management	5.27%

Complete relevant restaurant manager training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-2 years on post-employment, on-the-job training. New restaurant 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 restaurant manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real restaurant manager resumes.

Gain additional restaurant manager certifications

Restaurant 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 restaurant manager certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for restaurant managers include Certified Master Safe Technician (CMST) and Food Safety Manager Certification.

More About Certifications

Research restaurant manager duties and responsibilities

Manage staff by teaching them the correct procedures along with making sure they are working up to Marriott standards.
Manage associates while bartending and serving in a family-own restaurant.
Coordinate, communicate and delegate FOH responsibilities to staff to ensure excellent operations are consistently achieve.
Maintain corporate accounts on QuickBooks.

Prepare your restaurant manager resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your restaurant 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 restaurant 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 Restaurant Manager Resume templates

Build a professional Restaurant 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 Restaurant Manager resume.