Top Restaurant Manager Skills to Succeed in the Industry

Key Takeaways

• The key skills for restaurant managers include leadership, customer service, communication, problem-solving, organizational skills, and financial acumen.
• These skills can be developed through education, mentorship, and hands-on experience.
• SHMS is exceptional in helping develop these skills through its courses and internships.

You don't have to be a professional in hospitality to notice how some restaurants immediately feel disjointed and chaotic, with inconsistent and often subpar service, while in others, it's clear that everything is under control—the team works in sync, and the service is impeccable. Many factors contribute to these contrasting experiences, but one of the most significant is the restaurant manager.

The difference between a well-run establishment and one that struggles often comes down to the restaurant manager’s ability to balance operational efficiency with excellent customer service. 

A skilled manager not only oversees the day-to-day tasks but also sets the tone for the entire team, fostering a culture of collaboration and accountability. Their ability to make quick, effective decisions, handle customer concerns, and ensure smooth operations directly impacts everything from team morale to customer loyalty, making preparation for the role crucial.

What Is a Restaurant Manager?

As part of the food and beverage management sector, restaurant managers are the ones responsible for overseeing the daily operations of restaurants. These professionals are tasked with a wide range of responsibilities, including:

• Overseeing staff coordination and scheduling
• Addressing customer feedback and ensuring satisfaction
• Managing inventory and ordering supplies
• Ensuring food quality and consistency
• Budgeting and controlling costs
• Maintaining cleanliness and safety standards
• Training and mentoring staff
• Implementing marketing and promotional strategies
• Monitoring restaurant performance and sales
• Enforcing restaurant policies and procedures
• Managing reservations and guest services
• Ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations

A skilled restaurant manager is indispensable to a well-functioning restaurant, as they serve as the cornerstone for smooth operations. They not only ensure that every task is completed effectively but also act as the key communicator between staff, customers, and ownership. 

By handling everything from staffing and inventory to customer satisfaction and regulatory compliance, a manager ensures that all aspects of the restaurant run seamlessly. Their leadership sets the tone for service quality, team morale, and overall business performance, making them essential to a restaurant’s success.

Key Skills of a Successful Restaurant Manager

While a variety of skills are essential for a manager, certain ones are key to running a successful establishment. These skills not only enable managers to effectively carry out their responsibilities but also play a crucial role in fostering a positive environment for both staff and customers. A manager's ability to lead, communicate, and problem-solve directly influences the overall experience and success of the business.

Leadership skills

"Leadership is everyone's business. You can be a leader in your family, you can be a leader in your sports club, your class – anybody can become a leader." — Prof. Dominique Turpin, Ph.D.

Leadership is arguably the most important skill for any manager, and it’s especially vital for restaurant managers. Effective leadership goes beyond simply managing tasks—it involves understanding and connecting with the personalities, values, perceptions, and attitudes of your team. A strong restaurant manager recognizes the unique strengths and needs of each staff member, fostering an environment of mutual respect where every individual feels valued and understood.

A key distinction for any successful manager is the difference between being a “boss” and a “leader.” A boss might direct from a position of authority, whereas a leader inspires by setting an example, encouraging collaboration, and empowering their team. True leadership creates an environment of trust, where respect flows both ways—from manager to team and from team to manager.

Some believe that leadership is an innate quality, but it can certainly be refined and developed over time. At Swiss Hotel Management School (SHMS), leadership skills are the focus of courses like "Developing Business Leadership Skills," "Human Resources and Leadership," and "Strategies for Leadership and Corporate Culture."

These courses help students tap into their potential by focusing on self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and mentorship, all crucial aspects for anyone aspiring to be a leader in hospitality. Moreover, as Prof. Turpin says, SHMS, in general, prepares students for leadership by surrounding them with exemplary leaders.

Customer service skills

In the hospitality industry, when things go wrong, the first thing you often hear from them is, "I want to speak to the manager." This is because managers are the ones expected to step up and resolve the issue at hand.

A manager with excellent customer service skills is able to present quick solutions when problems arise, calm upset guests, and generally find ways to prevent the escalation of negative experiences. These skills also allow them to better understand their customers and anticipate their needs, offer personalized recommendations, and ensure that every aspect of their dining experience meets and exceeds the customers' expectations.

Restaurant managers who master customer service not only resolve complaints but also turn potential setbacks into opportunities to create loyal customers. For instance, many SHMS alumni have applied the customer service skills they refined during their studies to enhance guest satisfaction and build strong reputations in the restaurant industry, directly contributing to the success of their establishments.

This approach, combining theoretical knowledge and practical application, prepares graduates for real-world challenges in restaurant management, ensuring they can handle any situation with professionalism and confidence.

Communication skills

Communication is necessary for restaurant managers, as it impacts team dynamics and customer satisfaction. A good manager should be able to clearly convey expectations, instructions, and feedback to their team to ensure that everyone is on the same page during busy shifts.

On the customer side, communication is just as crucial. A manager must listen attentively to guests' concerns, respond with empathy, and provide solutions, whether addressing a complaint or ensuring a positive dining experience.

It's not just about talking and being understood; it's just as important to actually listen, absorb others' feedback, and respond thoughtfully to what is being said to you. Misunderstandings or a general lack of communication can result in frustrated guests or staff, leading to poor service and a negative atmosphere.

By fostering clear and compassionate communication, managers not only resolve potential issues but also build trust and stronger connections with both their team and guests. This creates a more harmonious work environment and a welcoming atmosphere that keeps customers coming back.

Organizational skills

A restaurant manager must also be able to keep track of multiple tasks simultaneously, such as scheduling staff, managing inventory, overseeing food orders, and ensuring timely service. These tasks must be coordinated well so as to prevent disruptions during service.

For instance, a manager is the one responsible for ensuring there is enough staff for peak hours, monitoring food stock to prevent shortages, and ensuring that reservations are properly managed. Organizational skills help them deal with all those tasks by enabling them to make informed decisions on which to prioritize and how to delegate everything in order to avoid chaos.

Nicolas Rueda, a SHMS alumnus who won the best review award from Booking.com for his B&B in Santa Marta, Colombia, shared that one of the key factors to his success was "having top-notch organizational skills." This ability to stay organized and structured is essential in a fast-paced environment where every second counts.

Problem-solving skills

Considering how, in one way or another, we encounter problems throughout our lives, problem-solving skills are among the most valuable qualities to possess. For restaurant managers, challenges may arise in various forms, such as handling customer concerns, managing unexpected booking changes, or navigating staffing shortages during peak hours.

However, it’s the manager’s proactive mindset, strategic thinking, and ability to stay composed under pressure that lead to effective solutions and smooth operations. By approaching each situation with adaptability and a focus on positive outcomes, a skilled manager ensures both customer satisfaction and team efficiency.

A manager's ability to solve problems helps maintain customer satisfaction, keeps the team motivated, and, through all that, also ensures operations run without disruption, even during challenging situations.

Financial acumen

At SHMS, financial acumen is a cornerstone of its hospitality management programs, equipping students at all levels with the tools needed to excel in financial decision-making.

In the Bachelor of Arts in International Hospitality Management, students build foundational knowledge through courses like Food and Beverage Cost Control, Accounting I-III, and Yield and Revenue Optimization. Advanced modules, such as Hospitality Economics and Strategic Management, further refine their ability to analyze financial data and forecast trends, preparing them to navigate the complexities of hospitality finance effectively.

Graduate students in the Master of Arts in International Hospitality Business Management and the Master of Science in International Hospitality Management deepen this expertise through specialized courses tailored to their career goals. The MA offers modules such as Strategic Revenue and Financial Management, providing a strong focus on revenue optimization and budgeting within the hotel, luxury, and event sectors.

Meanwhile, the MSc includes courses like Finance and Yield Management Principles, Strategic Revenue and Financial Management, and Forecasting and Financial Decision-Making, enabling students to master advanced strategies for maximizing profitability and managing financial risks. Across all programs, SHMS emphasizes practical applications, empowering graduates with the financial acumen needed to lead in the global hospitality industry.

How to Develop and Improve These Skills

Many of the skills needed to be a restaurant manager are learned over time through hands-on experience, however, you can greatly accelerate the process through formal training and even more so when that training is combined with experience.

Professional training programs, mentorship, on-the-job experience, and certifications are all excellent ways to refine the specific skills necessary for the role. By using these techniques, prospective restaurant managers can learn from those who have already honed their industry-specific skill set and acquire real-world experience.

Some individuals may hesitate to pursue formal education, assuming that degrees focus mainly on theoretical knowledge. However, at leading institutions like SHMS, programs are designed to go beyond theory, emphasizing both practical skills and interpersonal development to prepare students for real-world success.

At SHMS, students gain a comprehensive skill set, combining both hard and soft skills essential for success in restaurant management. Courses and internships emphasize mastering hard skills like financial management, inventory control, and operational efficiency, alongside soft skills such as effective communication, team leadership, and interpersonal interaction. This balanced approach ensures students are well-prepared to tackle both the technical and human aspects of the role.

Additionally, continuous learning is encouraged to stay ahead in the hospitality industry. Attending workshops, reading industry publications, and seeking regular feedback from colleagues and mentors are just some of the ways you can stay connected with advancements in the industry and consistently grow your skill set.

Career Opportunities for a Skilled Manager

With a strong foundation in leadership, customer service, financial management, and operations, skilled restaurant managers can pursue many other roles relevant to the industry. Among these roles are positions as restaurant owner, regional manager, operations manager in larger establishments, food service director, or hospitality consultant, offering expertise to businesses in need of guidance.

Additionally, roles at the intersection of hospitality and restaurants, such as maître d'hôtel, food and beverage director, or event and banquet manager, present exciting opportunities for those with a passion for both service and coordination. These positions allow managers to refine the guest experience while overseeing key aspects of restaurant and hospitality operations.

The flexibility of career paths available means that talented and dedicated restaurant managers can expand their reach, take on more responsibility, and influence the hospitality industry on a larger scale.

Unlock Your Full Potential as a Restaurant Manager with SHMS

Whether you're ready to step into the role of a restaurant manager depends on the range of skills you've developed so far. Pursuing formal education, like our BA program in International Hospitality Management, is a powerful way to enhance and refine skills that you may not have encountered while working in the industry.

Instead of learning things on the job, which can be unpredictable, a structured program ensures you gain a well-rounded understanding of all the essential elements of restaurant management—from leadership and customer service to financial acumen and operations management.

By joining SHMS, you’ll tap into a network of hospitality professionals and leaders, gaining access to the knowledge and tools needed to thrive in the industry. Our graduates worldwide are a testament to the success of our programs, which prepare students to excel in the real-world hospitality industry. Whether you’re starting out or looking to elevate your career, our educational approach empowers you to achieve your fullest potential as a restaurant manager.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the differences between a restaurant manager and a general manager?

A restaurant manager is primarily concerned with daily operations and staff within a specific restaurant, while a general manager might manage multiple locations or a broader range of operational areas in a larger hospitality business.

How long does it take to become a restaurant manager?

It can vary, but typically, it takes several years of experience in entry-level roles and intermediate positions, often around 5 years, along with training or education, to be ready for a managerial position.