Restaurant Manager Resume Example, Job Description, & Skills

A restaurant owner will typically scan a resume for just 7 seconds. To score an interview, you’ve got to catch their attention in as little time as it takes to enjoy a hors d'oeuvre. Yes—you need a restaurant manager resume that's full of flavor.

In this guide:

• The best restaurant manager resume example to get the top food jobs.
• How to tailor your resume to the restaurant manager job description.
• How to write resumes for restaurant general manager jobs that secure interviews.
• Expert tips and restaurant manager resume examples to improve your job chances.

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Searching for more restaurant or management-related resume examples? 

Have a look at these:

• Bar Manager Resume Examples
• Business Manager Resume Examples
• Business Owner Resume Examples
• Store Manager Resume Examples
• Bartender Resume Examples
• Server Resume Examples
• Starbucks Resume Examples
• Waiter or Waitress Resume Examples
• Barista Resume Examples
• Fast Food Resume Examples
• McDonald's Resume Examples
• Sous Chef Resume Examples
• Hospitality Resume Examples
• Manager Resume Examples
• Restaurant Resume Examples
• Executive Resume Example

Haven't found what you're looking for? Check all our Resume Samples.

Restaurant Manager Resume Example

Now— 

Here’s how to write a restaurant manager resume yourself:

1. Format the Restaurant Manager Resume Template First

Mise en place— 

In French cuisine, this is the method of arranging all your ingredients before you begin to cook. It’s more organized, more convenient, and way more professional.

Do the same on a resume.

A proper resume format ensures everything is as organized and logical as your restaurant management approach.

Here is how to format a restaurant manager resume template:

• Go in a reverse-chronological order on a restaurant GM resume. Start with your most recent position, followed by the one before that, and so on.
• Choose the best font for resumes, and type your main text using 11–12 pt font size.
• Go with a one-inch resume margin around all four sides of your resume for restaurant manager jobs.
• Select the best resume parts to include. Stick with info relevant to restaurant general manager jobs, and omit the rest.

Stick to these resume guidelines, and you’ll have a resume as clarified as butter. 

Expert Hint: Unless the restaurant’s job ad says otherwise, save the resume in the PDF format. The PDF version ensures your resume can be read on any device the restaurant owner chooses to view it on. A Microsoft Word document may look funny, depending on the screen.

2. Start with a Restaurant Manager Resume Objective or Summary

At any fine dining establishment, you wouldn’t offer a guest their entree immediately. You’d suggest an appetizer, perhaps a soup or salad, to start them off.

However— 

On a resume, this opening statement can make or break your chances for an interview.

Known as an objective or summary, its purpose is to quickly pitch the restaurant owner as to why you’re the best candidate for the role.

What are the differences between a summary and objective?

Use the resume summary statement when you have a large stock pot’s worth of foodservice leadership experience.

The career summary outlines your restaurant manager experience with your background, skills, and other key points. A numbered accomplishment proves your expertise to really have them hungry to learn more about you.

Here’s how to write a restaurant general manager resume summary:

Restaurant Manager Resume Examples of Summaries

The first one is cooked to perfection— 

It has details. It has skills. It has numbers. And, unlike the second one, it is tailored specifically to one job description.

Now— 

Don’t Have Any Experience in Food Service Management?

Use a resume objective statement when you have little to no experience in restaurant management jobs. 

Unlike the summary, the objective replaces your previous experience with a statement about your career plans and goals. Numbers are important here, as well.

Here’s how to write a restaurant general manager resume objective statement:

Restaurant Manager Resume Objective Example

Aside from the bad example above being not-at-all personalized, it also commits the other top resume crime—no numbers as proof of your success.

Weak sauce. 

In the good example, however, we give quantifiable accomplishments and tailor it right to this one restaurant. On top of that, we took your most restaurant-related skills and duties, even though you’ve not yet had restaurant management experience.

Expert Hint: For a clean finish, write the resume heading statement at the end, even though it’s the first thing they’ll read. This way, you’ll better identify the right morsels of information that’ll be most effective to start with.

3. Write a Great Restaurant Manager Job Description and Restaurant Manager Skills Sections

We’ve now come to the employment history section, the main dish of the multiple-course dinner that is the resume.

And— 

Like any main dish, the restaurant manager job description on a resume is the largest portion and the likeliest to leave an aftertaste. 

Aim for a pleasant flavor balance over rancid taste profile by documenting it correctly.

Here’s how to craft a restaurant manager job description for a resume:

• Use reverse-chronological order in the work history section of any restaurant general manager resumes. Latest position first, then the next, etc.
• List your job title, the dates you were employed there, the company’s or restaurant’s name, and their location. 
• Add 5 or 6 bullet points documenting your job responsibilities in a way that’s relevant to the restaurant manager position. Start each with resume action verbs, and use active voice.
• As in the restaurant assistant manager resume introduction, add achievements with numbers to verify your ability to lead their dining establishment to success.

Now, here are two restaurant manager resume examples of job descriptions:

Restaurant Manager Job Description for Resumes

Though we’re exaggerating a bit on the bad example, the point is that you can’t just simply list restaurant duties.

That’s no good— 

They’ll slice this resume up Julienne style and toss it straight into the garbage disposal.

The good example, however, details previous work responsibilities and adds numbered achievements to show them you’re a top shelf choice. 

If you have a track record as a Restaurant Manager, your resume should include specific, relevant facts and figures to demonstrate your management ability. For example:

• Given that the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says that the employee turnover rate in the restaurant industry annually exceeds 70%, if you kept your own turnover below 25% that's a noteworthy accomplishment because hiring and training replacements eats up time and money.
• If your unit's sales increased 9% while menu prices remained steady, that's also notable.
• How about profits? Have they increased during your tenure? If so, provide the numbers.
• If your unit won any significant awards during your tenure, that also belongs in your resume.

One other thing— 

Larger restaurants, particularly chains, use a digital applicant tracking system, or ATS, to help them sort the many resumes they receive.

The ATS helps filter through resumes by scanning them for specific resume keywords. 

Don’t have the keywords they’re looking for, you won’t get the job.

To find the right keywords, return to the job advertisement.

The restaurant manager job ad is like an ingredient list to bake the perfect resume. Head to the job responsibilities section to locate exactly the candidate they’re looking for (and the keywords you’re looking for).

Now— 

The skills to put on your resume.

Skills on a resume are like drinks on a menu— 

Though it’s just a small section compared to the rest of the resume, choosing the right food service skills and restaurant management abilities can make or break the deal.

In the United States, food service managers, including fast food supervisors and diner assistant managers, will increase by 9% (27,600 jobs) by 2026.

How can your resume stand out in a sea of eligible job applicants?

With the perfect restaurant manager skills resume section.

10+ Restaurant Manager Skills for Resumes

 Here are 10+ skills that restaurant managers need:

• Communication Skills
• Management Skills
• Leadership Skills
• Time Management
• Organizational Skills 
• Interpersonal Skills
• Problem Solving Skills
• Finance & Budgeting Skills
• Creative Thinking
• Food Safety & Protection
• Restaurant Organization & Layout
• Vendor Relationships
• Ordering Supplies & Food Products

However— 

As when you order foods to replenish your kitchen’s stock, don’t add unnecessary inclusions.

Select a few key skills by scanning the work responsibilities area to determine the talents and abilities they seek in a restaurant manager. 

Expert Hint: To cook up the perfect plate of restaurant skills and management abilities, throw in just the right amount of both soft skills (e.g., empathy, communication) and hard skills (e.g., managerial accounting).

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4. Turn the Restaurant General Manager Resume Education Section Into the Reason You’re Hired

Many restaurant manager positions require some college education, even on a fast food manager resume.

So— 

Here is how to write a restaurant management resume education section:

Restaurant Manager Resume: Example of Education Section

And here’s the formula for a great education section:

• List your highest, most impressive degree first, also in reverse chronological order. 
• Include the major or diploma, the school’s name, its location, and the date of completion or expected completion.
• To stand out, add impressive (but relevant!) extras, such as associated coursework or academic honors.
• Don’t list high school on your resume if you’ve finished a college degree.

Expert Hint: Relevant coursework is always a helpful subsection to add in your education section. Remember that you can include both leadership classes and those related to food service.

5. Pair Your Restaurant Manager Resume With Additional Sections

By now, your resume resembles a basic cake—it’s technically complete, but not so appealing. 

To really create a tempting dessert, add the frosting, the sprinkles, and the filling.

On a resume, these are extra sections. They help you stand out from the crowd of applicants by showing you’re a well-rounded restaurant management candidate.

Here are some restaurant manager resume samples of additional sections to include:

Licenses and Certificates

• Manage First Professional, National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation
• ServeSafe Food Handler Certification
• ServSafe Alcohol Certification
• ServSafe Workplace Certification
• ServSafe Allergens Certification
• Certified Food and Beverage Executive, American Hotel and Lodging Association Educational Institute

Restaurant Organizations & Associations

• Restaurant Facility Management Association (RFMA)
• The National Restaurant Association
• Association of Nutrition & Foodservice Professionals (ANFP)

Management Organizations & Associations

• American Management Association (AMA)
• National Management Association (NMA)

Related Hobbies & Interests

• Blogging about restaurants
• Food tasting and critiquing
• Volunteering at a soup kitchen

Foreign Language Proficiency Levels

• Catalan: Native Proficiency
• Spanish (Spain): Professional Working Proficiency
• Sinhalese: Intermediate Proficiency
• Amharic: Basic Conversational Proficiency

Expert Hint: No resume is complete without a restaurant manager cover letter. More than 80% of employers say it’s necessary, so you should submit a cover letter for restaurant manager jobs along with your job application. 

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Key Points

Let’s sum it all up— 

Here’s how to write a restaurant manager resume:

• Format the restaurant managers resume template before you get to writing. Choose a legible font, use a 1-inch margin, and prioritize resume sections by importance.
• Write a compelling resume heading statement for restaurant management jobs (objective or summary).
• Document your past working experience by listing the most relevant job responsibilities you had. Include numbered achievements to show the restaurant owner you rock.
• Jot down the most important skills you have related to foodservice and management work. Use the job ad to find the right keywords to use.
• Include a quick listing of your educational background. Don’t include high school if you have completed a college degree or graduated from a culinary institute.
• Add in an extra section or two to bring out the flavor on resumes for restaurant manager jobs, such as languages, certifications, and memberships.
• Never forget to include a restaurant management cover letter!

Looking for more restaurants manager resume examples? Need help writing a tailored restaurant manager job description for resumes? Leave a comment below, and we can discuss it. Thanks for reading!