Guide To A Restaurant Manager Career Path

A truly excellent dining experience has the perfect combination of an impressive menu, exceptional service, and hospitality that goes above and beyond customers’ expectations. To achieve all of these is to have the right talent for restaurant management. If you have aligned your passion and skills for this job, now is your chance to choose the restaurant manager career path.

What does a restaurant manager do?

Business has been challenging for the restaurant industry as the world continues to face the pandemic.  While the Malaysian government aims to ease restrictions as more citizens get fully vaccinated; the sales, supplies, and employment impact from  lockdowns are  still evident.

Fortunately, restaurants have adapted. They have enhanced creativity and convenience in menu planning, provided quality experience through takeaway meals and deliveries, and maximised employee presence by shifting the workload to administrative tasks. 

In the new normal, restaurant managers have been on top of their game to ensure that everything in the industry runs smoothly. So if you want to build a career path as a restaurant manager, know that you will have to juggle multiple tasks — either during lockdowns or limited dine-in — to fulfil your role purposefully.

Responsibilities of a restaurant manager

• Oversee daily restaurant front and back of house operations
• Manage budgets and expenses
• Generate staffing, financial, and operational reports
• Hire, train, and supervise staff
• Greet and welcome guests 
• Take orders and book reservations  
• Cordially handle customer inquiries and complaints
• Ensure superior food quality and service delivery
• Create staff schedules and assignments
• Prepare and process payroll
• Evaluate employee performance and provide appraisal, feedback, and essential coaching
• Set employee and restaurant targets
• Increase sales and help achieve business goals
• Conduct assessment and implement improvement of product, work efficiency, and profitability
• Guarantee compliance with business permits and licenses, and food, health, and safety measures and procedures
• Research meals and plan and modify menu offerings
• Monitor and audit inventory and purchase supplies
• Uphold restaurant’s image and positive customer feedback
• Plan and execute marketing and promotional activities to reach more customers

How much do restaurant managers earn?

Restaurant managers can earn an annual salary of RM 37,123 or a base rate of RM 3,000, as reported by Payscale. Factors that can determine your salary may vary depending on restaurant requirements. 

Educational background can be a top consideration, so those with relevant degrees may be qualified for a higher salary quote. On the other hand, other establishments may prioritise experience and skills. 

Payscale indicated that entry- to mid-level restaurant management experience can earn you from RM 34,882 to RM 36,743. Once you reach 10 to 20 or more years, your salary can range from RM 45,000 to RM 58,555. Operations and inventory management and scheduling are popular skills that can get you a more competitive salary.

What is the career path of a restaurant manager?

There are restaurant managers that started their career with entry-level positions such as host, server, or waiter. The goal is to master the basics of restaurant work. You can be promoted to higher positions that will encompass supervisory to general managerial work. 

Even though you have taken a managerial role, there are still opportunities to climb up these roles that focus on the overall business responsibilities.

Junior Level (1-3 years experience)

• Restaurant Manager
• F&B Restaurant Area Manager
• Restaurant Supervisor

Mid Level (4-8 years experience) 

• Area Manager
• Operation Manager
• Training Manager
• Assistant General Manager

Senior level (8 years or more) 

• General Manager
• Senior Restaurant Manager
• Operations Director

What requirements do you need to become a restaurant manager?

Required skills

• Passion for food and culinary skills

A restaurant manager who loves and knows food and has culinary knowledge can help make delectable dishes satisfying to customers.

• Customer management 

Being professional, empathetic, and a great communicator are keys to adapting and persuading different customers.

• Leadership skills and team-oriented attitude

Your knowledge and practical experience in restaurant operations and your positive working relationship with your team will make coordination, delegating tasks, and achieving goals easier. 

• Organisational and multitasking skills

Organised managers always plan, keep checklists, prioritise simultaneous requirements, and maintain a clean and orderly work area to stay on top of their various roles and responsibilities.

• Attention to detail

Your skills in checking information accuracy and being thorough can be instrumental in producing quality work, minimising errors, and increasing productivity.

• Problem-solving skills

Analysing situations, utilising creative thinking, and being flexible in handling stressful situations can guide you in solving conflicts and operational problems.

• Financial literacy

A manager with commercial and business awareness, high numeracy, and budgeting planning skills can successfully fulfil accounting and financial reporting duties. 

Educational background

If you aspire to work for more established restaurants, finishing a course related to restaurant management can help open more job opportunities.

You can enrol in a diploma or degree course in Restaurant Management, Hospitality Management or Tourism and Hotel Management, Business Administration, Food and Beverage Services Management, and Culinary Arts.

Required certification and training

While there are no certifications or licenses needed to work as a restaurant manager, acceptance to a diploma or degree course will require you to pass mandatory assessments. Some companies might also prefer jobseekers with specific educational attainment.

You need a minimum of 3 credits in Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) for Hospitality and Tourism and Business courses. You can start working after obtaining your diploma, but if you want to get a degree, pre-university qualifications include acquiring a minimum grade of 2Cs in Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan (STPM).

Opportunities for Continuous Education

• Enrol in a Master’s Degree program

Master’s Programs can help you develop competencies essential in working for bigger and well-known restaurants locally and globally.

• Upskill through online courses

Take online courses to improve your customer service, people management, and financial skills.

• Undergo seminars and training

Stay updated on new ways to do business amid COVID-19. Learn the latest restaurant technologies, discover trends in customer behaviour, and stay updated on guidelines on restaurant safety measures.

How to write a restaurant manager resume?

Download this restaurant manager resume HERE.

Download the restaurant manager free resume template here

Related Careers

If you have culinary passion and kitchen skills, you can also land a job as a Food Preparation Worker using our guide.

A restaurant manager career path might entail a considerable amount of responsibility. But your hard work, willingness to learn, and passion for delivering the best dining experience can help secure a more promising career path in the restaurant industry.

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