Restaurant Manager Jobs in the US

For a restaurant manager, success comes from leading teams, pleasing customers, and achieving targets. Restaurant managers are the core of the hospitality industry as they supervise daily business activities, manage employees, and deliver outstanding service. There is a great need for skilled restaurant managers as the food service sector in the USA is expanding rapidly. If you love food, enjoy engaging with people, and have strong leadership skills, working as a restaurant manager in the USA is guaranteed to be a fulfilling career path.

Duties and Responsibilities of a Restaurant Manager

A restaurant manager’s job is to keep everything operating smoothly so that customers have a good experience. Their duties and responsibilities include:

• Staff hiring, interviewing, and training in accordance with restaurant protocols
• Resolving complaints, obtaining feedback from clients, and maintaining customer satisfaction
• Upholding standards for food quality and safety
• Managing operating expenses and finding methods to reduce waste
• Scheduling, monitoring staff hours, and documenting payroll information 
• Purchasing linen, food, gloves, and other items while sticking to budget limitations
• Evaluating employee performance and correcting poor performance through retraining or discipline

Required Skills for a Restaurant Manager Role

The following are essential hard and soft skills that any successful restaurant manager should have.

1. Compassion

A competent manager must be able to listen to their employees and support them with any personal or professional issues, as this may impact their professionalism. They should be capable of stepping in and resolving workplace issues. Employees should be able to trust their managers with their struggles and appreciate their decision-making abilities. Be strict but kind. A strong feeling of empathy will benefit your team greatly.

2. Attentiveness

To ensure that operations run smoothly, managers should keep a close eye on every little detail. Instead of lecturing or disciplining employees, they should resolve issues when they arise and feel free to provide feedback when needed. For example, management should fill a customer’s water glass if it is empty and the server passes by without doing so. A competent restaurant manager should possess critical abilities, including fast thinking and attention to detail.

3. Communicative

It takes two to communicate. A restaurant manager needs to communicate clearly and consistently with employees and customers. A good manager should be able to listen intently and offer helpful criticism. It’s important to identify areas where your employees may grow while simultaneously highlighting their individual or team strengths. The individual should also be capable of problem-solving and instilling confidence in his employees. Setting clear and attainable objectives for your employees is essential in diplomatic communication.

4. Financial Proficiency

A manager will significantly impact the restaurant’s finances. Many of the areas they touch, including staffing and inventory, directly impact the bottom line. They should be able to make choices that improve the bottom line even if they won’t be accountants. A manager who has experience with these systems may make better business judgments with the aid of a solid restaurant POS and employee scheduling program.

Education and Certification 

A college or university degree is not essential for managerial positions, as experience is more important in this profession. However, if it’s a specialty restaurant, the owners might wish to pick someone with a degree in business studies or hospitality management. Since the food services business places a high value on experience, restaurant managers are often expected to have three to five years of managerial experience. They must also have proven they are capable of managing a group of people.

Nine out of 10 restaurant managers started at the bottom and worked their way up to their current position. They are probably not certified. However, certifications can help you grow. You can receive more training by going to school or taking an online course if you are determined to advance quickly. You can complete a part-time course while working and getting experience in the workplace. In restaurant management, there are numerous courses and certificates. Hospitality courses are available in colleges, culinary schools, and other trade schools.

Salary Expectations

The average salary for most restaurant managers in the US is $54,861 annually (or $26.38 per hour). The starting salary for entry-level jobs is $43,832, while the average salary for professional workers is up to $70,000.

Visa Requirements for Restaurant Managers in the USA

Here are the visas you need to work as a restaurant manager in the US

• H-1B visa
• E-2 visa
• L-1 visa 
• TN visa
• 0-1 visa

Benefits of Working as a Restaurant Manager in the US

1. Gain Transferable Skills

It takes a strong mix of people, administrative, organizational, and business skills to manage a restaurant. In addition to learning the fundamentals of the restaurant industry, you will also deal with computer systems, create purchasing plans, investigate marketing strategies, and more. Furthermore, the ability to oversee several teams and give priority to the customer experience are transferable skills that are highly valued in virtually any other field.

2. Freedom

The responsibility of managing a company the way you see fit is a bonus of any managerial role. You will be responsible for overseeing your kitchen and wait staff, hiring and training new employees, setting up work schedules, assigning jobs, and establishing standard operating procedures as a restaurant manager.

This provides you with the opportunity to accomplish your goals and has a significant influence on the company’s performance. Restaurant managers have a great deal of flexibility in how they organize their workday. You can choose how and when to spend your time as long as the restaurant is operating efficiently and your staff is performing their duties.

3. Dynamic Hospitality Career

The restaurant business is renowned for its demanding, fulfilling, and dynamic work. You’ll get to experience all of this as a manager, from managing front-of-house operations to allocating back-of-house supplies. No two days are ever the same when operating a restaurant. One day may be spent working with food and beverage suppliers, while another may be spent in the dining room welcoming guests and answering questions.

Being a restaurant manager could be the ideal job choice for you if you’re a bubbly, lively, and charismatic person. Gaining managerial skills will enable you to keep control over all restaurant operations. You’ll also learn how to manage human resources, increase employee productivity, and surpass client expectations.

How to Apply

If you’re interested in pursuing a career as a restaurant manager in the USA, start your job search today! Click here to Search and apply for managerial job opportunities across the country. Find your dream job and take the first step towards a rewarding career as a restaurant manager!