How to Write a Restaurant Manager Resume
You can write a great restaurant manager resume by focusing on how you’ve improved dining operations. Your resume should highlight your skills in managing restaurants, and it should also include information about your previous jobs in order to demonstrate your expertise. The following tips and examples will help you explore this topic and find the best career details to show on your restaurant manager resume.
1. Write a dynamic profile summarizing your qualifications
A good Profile will catch hiring managers’ interest by naming the three to five top reasons you’re suited to your target restaurant manager job.
Think about what sets you apart from other restaurant managers. For instance, maybe you’ve earned special recognition for motivating and retaining quality waitstaff. Or perhaps you have rare knowledge of restaurant best practices and regulations. Also, feel free to give a specific achievement from your experience if it reveals your approach to building a successful restaurant. By placing these highlights at the top of your resume, you’ll make a strong first impression and give hiring managers a sense of how you might improve their dining facility.
Entry-Level Profile Example
Restaurant Manager with 3+ years of experience motivating waitstaff, resolving customer concerns, and reducing staff turnover. Recent highlights include launching a featured food program that drove double-digit revenue growth. Expert user of restaurant management software like TouchBistro and Toast POS.
Mid-Career Profile Example
Restaurant Manager with 9+ years of experience driving revenue growth, reducing staff turnover, and building goodwill with customers. Draw on broad, deep knowledge of restaurant best practices and health and safety regulations. Bilingual: Fluent in English and Spanish.
2. Add a results-driven experience section
For each past restaurant manager job, describe how you kept the facility running smoothly. List relevant duties you held, such as overseeing kitchen staff, honing restaurant systems, or ensuring diners’ satisfaction with the food and service. Also, detail any improvements you made. For instance, did you introduce a training program, menu section, or marketing promotion? Or were you able to raise efficiency, cut costs, or improve customer review scores? Try to quantify these changes in terms of a specific number, percentage, or dollar amount.
Mid-Career Experience Example
Restaurant Manager, Culinary Cafe, Washington, DC | May 2015 to Present
- Helped plan and design restaurant’s front and kitchen prior to grand re-opening
- Increased seating capacity 20% while maintaining compliance with health codes and regulations
- Spearheaded marketing campaign that increased revenue 68% and led to 6 months of sold-out reservations
- Improved customer satisfaction ratings by 9% using instant reservations software that minimized wait times
Senior-Level Experience Example
Restaurant Manager, Big Bistro, Bent Mountain, VA | April 2012 to Present
- Established new scheduling procedures that cut costs 11% and brought labor in line with budget of 14% of net revenue
- Co-developed better customer service practices that increased profit by 15%
- Designed comprehensive new training program that increased retention of customer-facing staff by more than 30%
3. Include relevant education and certifications
Your education and certifications are probably less important than any direct service-industry experience you have. But use this section to show the background knowledge you can apply toward improving restaurant operations. For instance, if you have a degree in restaurant and hospitality management, that can give your resume an advantage, especially for jobs at more upscale restaurants. You may also want to feature your degrees in business or other more general areas that still relate to the role of restaurant manager. Finally, include any relevant credentials you’ve earned, such as the Food Protection Manager Certification (FPMC).
The following are templates and examples to help you format your education and certification details. Note that optional template areas are in [brackets].
Education
Template:
Degree Name — [Major], School Name, City, ST | [Year] | [GPA]
Example:
Bachelor’s Degree — Food Service Management, Penn State University, State College, PA | 2019
Certification
Template:
Certification Name, [Awarding Organization] | [Year]
Example:
ServSafe Manager | 2015
4. List key skills and proficiencies
You can enhance your restaurant manager resume with a “Key Skills” section covering operations improvement, cross-team leadership, and food and beverage service. The following list will help you feature these and other work areas that align with your restaurant management skill set:
| Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
|---|---|
| Conflict Resolution | Cost Reduction & Elimination |
| Cross-Functional Coordination | Culinary Arts |
| Customer Relations & Service | Customer Rewards Programs |
| Employee Morale & Retention | Food Quality & Safety Standards |
| Hiring & Staffing | Marketing Strategy Development |
| Menu Design & Development | Operations Management |
| Process Redesign & Improvement | Product Inventory Management |
| Productivity & Efficiency Gains | Regulatory & Corporate Compliance |
| Revenue & Profit Growth | Social Media Marketing |
| Staff Training & Coaching | Team Leadership & Motivation |
| Workforce Planning & Scheduling | |
Advice From a Recruiter: Chris Shatto
What are the most in-demand skills for restaurant managers that should be featured on a candidate’s resume? +
A restaurant manager should have expertise in financial management, inventory control, and staff training to ensure smooth operations. They must also be skilled in menu development, POS system usage, and adhering to health and safety regulations. Marketing and promotion experience is vital for driving sales and increasing brand awareness. Soft skills, such as leadership, communication, time management, problem-solving, adaptability, attention to detail, and conflict resolution, play a crucial role in managing teams effectively and maintaining high standards of customer satisfaction.
What type of work experience and/or other accomplishments are hiring managers looking for in a restaurant manager?+
Hiring managers seek restaurant manager candidates with diverse experience, such as previous management roles, various industry positions, and a successful track record. They also value staff training and development, menu development, food cost control, customer service excellence, and project management skills. Including awards, recognitions, community involvement, and relevant education or certifications can further strengthen a candidate's appeal. Demonstrating this wide range of accomplishments will help make a strong impression on hiring managers.
What else in addition to a resume should a restaurant manager candidate be prepared to provide hiring managers?+
In addition to a resume, restaurant manager candidates should be prepared to provide a well-crafted cover letter that highlights their relevant experience and passion for the industry. They may also be asked for professional references who can attest to their skills and work ethic. In some cases, a candidate might be required to complete a test project or participate in a trial shift (also known as a stage) to demonstrate their management capabilities and understanding of the restaurant's operations.
What advice would you give a restaurant manager candidate about their job search? +
To enhance your job search as a restaurant manager candidate, tailor your resume and cover letter for each application, emphasizing relevant skills and experiences. Networking is crucial, so attend industry events and engage with professionals in the field. Research potential employers to understand their values and culture, and prepare for interviews by practicing common questions and staying up-to-date on industry trends. Leverage online resources like job search websites and set up job alerts. After applying or interviewing, send a follow-up email to express gratitude and reiterate your interest in the position.
How to Pick the Best Restaurant Manager Resume Template
As with most vocations, restaurant managers should use a resume template that’s clear and straightforward. Opt for a visual format that lets the hiring manager quickly review your most impressive career details. Select a simple resume font, and avoid any template that has an overly colorful or elaborate design.
Restaurant Manager Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples
Years of Experience
- Entry-level
- Mid-career
- Senior-level
Janet Smith
(987) 654-3210 | j[email protected] | Scranton, PA 98765 | www.linkedin.com/example
Profile
Restaurant Manager with 3+ years of experience motivating waitstaff, resolving customer concerns, and reducing staff turnover. Recent highlights include launching a featured food program that drove double-digit revenue growth. Expert user of restaurant management software like TouchBistro and Toast POS.
Key Skills
- Customer Rewards Programs
- Menu Design & Development
- Process Streamlining
- Revenue & Profit Growth
- Social Media Marketing
- Staff Training & Coaching
- Talent Retention
Professional Experience
Front-of-House Manager, Fine Dining Foods, Scranton, PA | October 2019 to Present
[Popular upscale restaurant with 50+ employees]
- Oversee team of servers, bartenders, cleaning crew, and hosts and hostesses to ensure restaurant is presentable for customers
- Trained 30+ staff members on expectations for fine dining service and health and safety compliance
- Launched a featured food and beverage program that grew revenue 15% in the first month
Lead Server, Big Steak House, Scranton, PA | August 2017 to September 2019
- Greeted customers and served 25+ tables daily
- Handled all customer complaints with tact and diplomacy, quickly resolving any issues
- Attended all voluntary tasting opportunities to better learn the menu and make food recommendations, increasing average ticket revenue by 9%
- Earned a 98% customer satisfaction rating
Education
Bachelor’s Degree — Food Service Management, Penn State University, State College, PA | 2019
William Adams
(123) 456-7890 | willi[email protected] | Washington, DC 12345 | www.linkedin.com/example
Profile
Restaurant Manager with 9+ years of experience driving revenue growth, reducing staff turnover, and building goodwill with customers. Draw on broad, deep knowledge of restaurant best practices and health and safety regulations. Bilingual: Fluent in English and Spanish.
Key Skills
- Budgeting & Cost Accounting
- Conflict Resolution
- Marketing Strategy Development
- Regulatory Compliance
- Staff Training & Coaching
- Talent Retention
- Task Prioritization
- Team Leadership & Motivation
- Time Management
Professional Experience
Restaurant Manager, Culinary Cafe, Washington, DC | May 2015 to Present
- Helped plan and design restaurant’s front and kitchen prior to grand re-opening
- Increased seating capacity 20% while maintaining compliance with health codes and regulations
- Spearheaded marketing campaign that increased revenue 68% and led to 6 months of sold-out reservations
- Improved customer satisfaction ratings by 9% using instant reservations software that minimized wait times
Assistant Manager, Faster Food Restaurant, Alexandria, VA | October 2013 to April 2015
- Performed multiple walkthroughs daily to ensure dining area met corporate guidelines for cleanliness and table turnover
- Reduced staff turnover by introducing more flexible time-off policies and a bidding system for pm shifts
- Cut costs 8% by reducing inventory waste and establishing stricter overtime controls
Education
Bachelor of Business Management, University of Richmond, VA
Language
- Fluency in Spanish
Melanie Jackson
(111) 222-3333 | [email protected] | Bent Mountain, VA 56789 | www.linkedin.com/example
Profile
Restaurant Manager with 14+ years of advancement and experience. Offer advanced knowledge of cost control mechanisms and inventory tracking based on extensive finance background. Master’s Degree in Management.
Key Skills
- Conflict Resolution
- Cost Reduction & Elimination
- Customer Relations
- Marketing Strategy Development
- Operational Streamlining
- Process Redesign & Improvement
- Productivity & Efficiency Gains
- Stakeholder Relations Management
- Task Prioritization
- Team Leadership & Motivation
- Time Management
Professional Experience
Restaurant Manager, Big Bistro, Bent Mountain, VA | April 2012 to Present
- Established new scheduling procedures that cut costs 11% and brought labor in line with budget of 14% of net revenue
- Co-developed better customer service practices that increased profit by 15%
- Designed comprehensive new training program that increased retention of customer-facing staff by more than 30%
Assistant Manager, Quick Chicken, Virginia Beach, VA | November 2008 to March 2012
- Trained staff of 45+ on service best practices, improving customer satisfaction by 13%
- Streamlined drive-through service procedures, reducing average time at window by 11 seconds
- Increased revenue by launching 12 social media and app-based loyalty programs
Education
Master of Management, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC | 3.9 GPA
Bachelor of Hospitality & Tourism, Virginia Tech, Falls Church, VA | 3.8 GPA
Certification
- ServSafe Manager | 2015
Frequently Asked Questions: Restaurant Manager Resume Examples and Advice
What are common action verbs for restaurant manager resumes?+
One of the best ways to optimize your resume is by using a good mix of action verbs in your Experience section. The following verbs list will help you brainstorm and write about the various ways you’ve made an impact in your restaurant management career so far:
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Adapted | Aligned |
| Created | Decreased |
| Directed | Earned |
| Enhanced | Ensured |
| Generated | Implemented |
| Improved | Increased |
| Introduced | Led |
| Managed | Overcame |
| Oversaw | Prepared |
| Produced | Ranked |
| Scheduled | Streamlined |
| Strengthened | Supervised |
| Won | |
How do you align your restaurant manager resume with a job posting?+
The Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts that jobs for food service managers will increase by about ten percent between 2021 and 2031. This growth rate is faster than the average for all US vocations.
You can get more interviews in this growing field if you tailor your resume for each application. One great way to tailor your resume is by adding descriptions of the restaurants you’ve overseen in brackets right below the restaurant name in your Experience section.
Restaurant descriptions let you show any similarity between the places you’ve worked at and the place you now want to work. For instance, maybe you’ve worked in the same type of cuisine or for a similar size dining facility. And if you’re applying to a high-volume or top-rated restaurant, you can use restaurant descriptions to emphasize any background you have in those work settings. By including details like these on your resume, you’ll make it more relevant to the job opening.
What is the best restaurant manager resume format?+
In nearly all cases, you should use a Combination (or Hybrid) resume because it’s easiest for hiring managers to learn about your pertinent skills and experience – it’s also easiest for you to modify based on your job goals.
With the Combination format, you highlight your most relevant skills and experience in your Experience or Work History section and an intro section. (This combination of work history and intro content is where the format gets its name.) Usually, your resume intro should include a Profile summary and Key Skills section, but you may also introduce yourself with a Career Highlights or Awards section.
Expert Advice: Include a cover letter with your resume
To increase your chances of an interview, write a strong cover letter. The key to an effective letter is customizing it based on each restaurant you apply to. Read our restaurant manager cover letter guide to learn how. For other related examples, see our server and manager cover letter guides.
