Restaurant Operations Manager
Hospitality Management
Plan, manage, and market restaurants, food services in hospitality establishments, food service chains and franchise networks, and restaurant supply operations.
What Restaurant Operations Managers Do
Plan, manage, and market restaurants, food services in hospitality establishments, food service chains and franchise networks, and restaurant supply operations.
Common Tasks
Food Service Managers
- 1Count money and make bank deposits.
- 2Establish standards for personnel performance and customer service.
- 3Keep records required by government agencies regarding sanitation or food subsidies.
- 4Schedule staff hours and assign duties.
- 5Investigate and resolve complaints regarding food quality, service, or accommodations.
What You'll Learn
Types of Restaurant Operations Managers
Work Environment
Locations
- • Restaurants and bars
- • Hotels and resorts
- • Catering and banquet venues
- • Hospitals and long-term care facilities
- • School and university dining services
Schedule
Most work full time with set schedules, but evenings, weekends, and holidays are common and the pace is often high-pressure during service periods.
Physical Demands
The job involves frequent standing and walking, with moderate bending, handling items, and repetitive motions during busy shifts. It is less physically intense than many trades but can be tiring due to long periods on your feet.
Salary & Job Outlook
National Employment: 404,800 jobs
Top Paying States
Why Demand May Grow
Demand can rise as restaurants, catering, and institutional dining expand and need managers to control costs, staffing, and food safety. Increased focus on sanitation compliance and customer experience can also drive hiring for experienced operators.
Skills You'll Need
Pros & Cons
Pros
- • Strong number of annual job openings
- • Clear path to higher responsibility and pay
- • Transferable management skills across hospitality settings
- • Varied work with people, operations, and problem-solving
- • Opportunities to move into multi-unit or corporate roles
Cons
- • High time pressure during peak service times
- • Evenings, weekends, and holiday work is common
- • Customer complaints and staffing issues can be stressful
- • Accountability for food safety and regulatory compliance
- • Long periods of standing and walking
Common Questions About the Restaurant Operations Manager Trade
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