Restaurant Manager Job Description: Tips to Mix Up your Search + Template

We’ve compiled a list of qualities to consider when looking for your next hire. That said, your business is unique—brainstorm what specific needs your restaurant has that your restaurant manager should rise to meet. 

Leadership skills

“Managing” is right in the title of the job, but what does that really mean? Organizing and scheduling are essential skills for a restaurant manager, but an outstanding candidate will have superpowered these skills.

As they oversee all aspects of daily operations, restaurant managers need to be able to think on the fly to solve unexpected problems in chaotic environments. They may also need to rally your restaurant team in finding solutions to thorny kitchen, fulfillment, and customer service issues.

That means that organizational skills may not be enough without fantastic leadership skills to back them up. Not only does your restaurant manager need the know-how to tackle complex problems, they need the can-do attitude to get it done in outside-the-box ways—and show your team how it’s done.

Critical thinking

Top-notch restaurant managers don’t just react to situations. They apply critical thinking to prevent and solve issues before they arise. The right candidate should be able to anticipate challenges and make sound judgments on a dime that drive the business forward.

Operational efficiency

Exceptional restaurant managers look for areas where adjustments to process can be made. They should have an eye for identifying opportunities for improvement, as well as strategies to enhance efficiency and profitability.

Customer service

Offering your customers a fantastic experience is one of the things that will bring customers back to your establishment again and again. Restaurant managers act as the face of the establishment, interacting with guests and spearheading their satisfaction and enjoyment. 

Responding efficiently to customer complaints is a crucial skill to maximizing customer satisfaction, but a personable greeting and checking in during service can go a long way toward building customer goodwill.

Adaptability

The restaurant industry is fast-paced and dynamic,  requiring managers to adapt quickly to changing circumstances. Top-notch managers should be resilient and calm under pressure, effectively managing stress and finding new ways forward when faced with challenges.

A successful restaurant manager should also be able to think strategically. Can your candidate identify trends and find ways to create an essential niche for your restaurant in your area? 

Teamwork

A successful restaurant manager must be able to build and lead a cohesive team. They should encourage collaboration and clear communication to motivate staff to perform at their best.

Growth mindset

The most effective restaurant managers are committed to continuous improvement and growth—for your restaurant and your team. Not only should they be open to learning and implementing strategies to drive the establishment’s success—they might even come in with ideas of their own. 

What to ask during a restaurant manager interview.

Now that you have a list of qualities to look for in a restaurant manager, it’s time to hunt for those skills in your pool of candidates. The best way to do this is during interviews: you’ll want to strategically vet candidates across key dimensions by asking thoughtful, situation-based questions.

Here are a few ideas for ways to ferret out the best restaurant manager qualities in an interview.

1. Describe a difficult situation with an unsatisfied guest. How did you handle it?

Restaurant managers must have people skills. That includes interpersonal rapport and problem-solving, but they also need to provide resolutions that make sense for your business. 

Your candidate’s answer will shed light on their judgment, problem-solving skills, and commitment to service. Watch for a customer-centric but level-headed approach.

Follow-up questions to ask might include:

• Tell me about a time you made a customer smile. What skills do you have that contributed to that moment?
• Say you’ve got a problem in the kitchen and a complaining customer at the same time. How do you handle this?
• Say you overhear an unsavory interaction between a customer and an employee. How do you intervene?  

2. How would you approach an underperforming employee about their performance?

Your employees form the core of your business, and your restaurant manager helps shape  the team. Your team leaders have a significant impact on the culture of your workplace, and you want someone whose management style is in line with your company values.

This question explores their coaching abilities. You should know whether your new manager would lead with negativity or a developmental mindset. 

The best managers document problems as well as solutions and create clear action plans for moving forward. Some follow-up questions to ask might include:

• Tell me about a great manager you’ve had. What’s something you admired about their coaching style?
• What are three words you would use to describe your management style?
• How would your past employees describe you?

3. Walk me through a busy shift. How do you prepare, and how do you prioritize tasks?” 

Many restaurants have rush periods, and you need to trust that your establishment will run efficiently at even its busiest times. Situational questions like these sniff out priority management and a candidate’s composure under pressure. Look for how they describe involving the team in getting through the rush: things like coordinating prep or organizing tickets can go a long way to getting through a customer slam.

Follow up questions to ask might be:

• What does pre-service prep look like for you?
• How would you approach an overwhelmed employee during a rush?
• Say you have a long line of customers, someone absent in back of house, and a pot of coffee that needs to be brewed. Where do you place yourself in this situation?

4. Apart from working in a restaurant, what work experience has best prepared you for restaurant management?

Anyone going into a restaurant manager job should bring some level of experience to the table. That’s what will empower them to have a full view of the business on a daily basis and manage all the responsibilities that come up.

It’s a given that they’ll probably have restaurant or managerial experience of some kind, but even if they don’t, other work experience could contribute unique skills to your restaurant’s management and operations. You’re looking for something that makes this candidate a unique contributor—something that can help your restaurant stand out in its niche.

This open-ended question also provides candidates the opportunity to discuss their strengths and weaknesses as a worker. A great manager should be able to identify how they learn and grow—and where their learning and growth has come from so far. 

Unique skills could include a certification, good financial management, a procurement background, strong recruitment skills, a staff training background, experience in implementing safety and security compliance, or even implementing effective marketing strategies.

Other questions to ask could include:

• What’s something about yourself that makes this role a great fit for you?
• Tell me about the hardest lesson you’ve learned on the job.
• What’s one thing you would do to improve my business?

5. How does this restaurant manager position fit in with your long-term goals?

Small restaurant operations need a motivated team behind them to properly grow. Enthusiasm about your specific business concept and mission is essential. You also want to know that your new hire will be around for a while—nothing fragments a team faster than inconsistent management. Pay attention to how candidates talk about themselves, their work, and the way they operate. Other questions to ask might include:

• Where did your passion for the restaurant industry originate? What got you into this field?
• What’s your favorite thing about working in a restaurant?
• What do you hope this position can offer you?
• How do you hope to grow in this position or industry?

Your restaurant manager job description template, ready to customize.

Now that you know what to look for in a restaurant manager, it’s time to get hiring! Use our restaurant manager job description template for ideas on crafting your own job posting, or copy and paste this one to use. Just remember to customize it for your unique business needs.

Great Eats is looking for a dynamic, diligent restaurant manager to make our eatery a neighborhood institution.

Come work for our warm and bustling restaurant in the heart of the city. Great Eats is looking for an experienced restaurant manager to help us handle the downtown breakfast and lunch crowd with ease.

As the Restaurant Manager, you’ll be hands-on in charge of day-to-day operations to provide guests with a dining experience to remember. You’ll recruit, hire, and train a team of servers and kitchen staff to provide high quality, clean, and quick service.

We’re looking for a self-starting, high-energy leader who thrives on providing quality customer service. Paired with inventory management support, your role in personnel management will be crucial in achieving the success of our business, increasing efficiency, and improving customer satisfaction.

What you’ll do: Responsibilities and duties

• Embody company culture and values, acting as a role model for all team members.
• Recruit, hire, and train servers, kitchen staff, and other restaurant staff by preparing them to offer guests a positive experience..
• Direct the daily activities of assistant managers and restaurant staff in alignment with the restaurant goals.
• Take regular inventory, order products, and collaborate with fulfillment partners to ensure a smoothly stocked restaurant.
• Ensure operational efficiency by actively managing tasks related to payroll and paperwork.
• Develop and maintain restaurant guidelines that make the customer experience memorable and fulfilling.
• Develop business strategies to meet build profitability and market locally.
• Address guest concerns and win them back.

Required Skills

• 2 years of experience as a manager in a restaurant environment.
• Advanced understanding of quick-service restaurant operations.
• Ability to interact socially with customers, employees, and business partners both inside and outside of the restaurant environment.
• Ability to manage a team, including working with individuals to set actionable goals for professional growth.
• Great interpersonal skills, a positive attitude, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.
• Familiar with Excel, Outlook, and inventory and POS systems.
• Must be available to work flexible hours, early mornings, weekends, and holidays.
• Self-motivated, a good communicator with a natural ability to bring out the best in others.
• The ability to multitask, set priorities, and work well under pressure.

Who we are: What to expect.

• Our family restaurant values quality over quantity. We aim to give customers a breakfast of champions or a lunch to remember, so they return over and over.
• We source our ingredients locally. Our community matters to us, and that means fresh, locally-grown food.
• We strive to form part of the core social life of our neighborhood. We want our customers to come to connect—with the food and with each other.
• Our team meetings are structured to solve problems collectively. We also regularly host trainings and socials for our close-knit team.
• We offer health benefits and flexible schedules—because we all deserve time to enjoy the better things in life.

How to apply, and what happens next.

Let potential applicants know how to apply, including materials and any additional certifications you’re looking for.

Download: Restaurant Manager Job Description Template

Manage your hiring and take one thing off your plate.

When it comes time to hire and onboard new restaurant managers, Homebase provides all the tools restaurateurs need. Streamline the restaurant hiring process from start to finish—all in one place. 

List the restaurant manager and attract great candidates.

First, you need to post your new job listing to get it in front of job seekers. And if the template above wasn’t enough inspiration, you can use one of Homebase’s pre-written job post descriptions to get the right restaurant manager job description up. Most small establishments or fast food franchises require restaurant managers to have at least a high school diploma.

That’s not all. Homebase lets you create and post jobs to multiple online job boards, including Indeed, ZipRecruiter, and Google, all from the same dashboard. When candidates apply through the job boards, their applications will come to you through Homebase. No more jumping from job board to job board to collect your candidates.

Connect with applicants.

As applications roll in, review candidate profiles and responses to customized application questions on your Homebase dashboard. Looking to meet a particular need? Filter prospects and focus your hiring efforts with just a couple of clicks. 

Once you have selected your candidate shortlist, message the applicants and schedule interviews through the Homebase dashboard. Our free interview scoring template helps keep you organized and efficient. No need to waste time tracking down phone numbers or keeping track of candidate strengths. 

Onboard—like a boss.

Once you’ve made your hiring decision, onboarding becomes a breeze with Homebase’s digital document management. Use our file-sharing system to send your new hire an employee onboarding packet that includes all the documents they have to sign. 

Manage the team.

Now that your manager is onboard, they can transition into usingHomebase as an all-in-one team management app. That means newly hired restaurant managers can start accessing the information they need right away and message with your staff. They can communicate about schedules, reminders, or announcements with ease, so you can hand over your systems without pause. 

Hire your next restaurant manager with confidence.

Your restaurant manager is like your right-hand person—their leadership will allow your vision for your restaurant to soar. Finding the right hire means finding somebody who not only has the necessary training and experience, but also aligns with your values and restaurant culture. And it all starts with your hiring process.

Streamline hiring with Homebase and get your new restaurant managers up and running. With our tools for interviewing and onboarding future employees, you can make Homebase your all-in-one hiring and team management app.

Get started today for free.