Restaurant Manager Resume Examples & Guide

Landing a Restaurant Manager position can be challenging. Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and fierce competition demand a strategic approach. This guide provides Restaurant Manager resume examples for every experience level, offering actionable tips to help you stand out and secure interviews.

• Quantify Achievements: Use numbers and metrics to demonstrate your impact on revenue, efficiency, and customer satisfaction.
• Highlight Relevant Skills: Showcase your expertise in areas like inventory management, staff training, and customer service.
• Tailor to Job Description: Customize your resume to match the specific requirements and keywords of each job application.
• Optimize for ATS: Use a clean, ATS-friendly format and incorporate relevant keywords throughout your resume.
• Use Action Verbs: Start your bullet points with strong action verbs to showcase your accomplishments and responsibilities.

Let’s explore some Restaurant Manager resume examples to inspire your own.

Entry-Level Restaurant Manager Resume (0-2 Years Experience)

This example is tailored for candidates with limited professional experience but relevant skills and education.

Candidate Snapshot:

Name: Jane Doe

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Hospitality Management

Top 3 Soft Skills: Communication, Problem-solving, Teamwork

Why this works:

• Academic Focus: A degree in Hospitality Management demonstrates a foundational understanding of restaurant operations, even without extensive experience.
• Transferable Soft Skills: Strong communication skills are vital for a Restaurant Manager to effectively manage staff, address customer concerns, and maintain a positive work environment.
• Keyword Integration: The resume includes entry-level keywords like ‘customer service,’ ‘teamwork,’ and ‘communication’ to pass ATS scans.

Mid-Level Restaurant Manager Resume (3-7 Years Experience)

This example is designed for candidates with a solid track record of success in restaurant management.

Candidate Snapshot:

Name: John Smith

Key Achievement: Increased restaurant revenue by 15% in one year.

Core Hard Skills: Inventory Management, Staff Training, Cost Control

Why this works:

• Industry-Specific Metrics: Mentioning specific metrics, like revenue growth and customer satisfaction scores, demonstrates a clear understanding of business performance in the restaurant industry.
• Tool Proficiency: Listing experience with POS systems and inventory management software proves the candidate is ready to quickly integrate into the restaurant’s operations.
• Problem-Solution Format: The bullet points highlight the candidate’s ability to identify and solve common restaurant management challenges, such as improving efficiency and reducing costs.

Senior Restaurant Manager Resume (8+ Years / Management)

This example showcases extensive experience and leadership skills for senior-level Restaurant Manager roles.

Candidate Snapshot:

Name: Sarah Johnson

Teams Managed: 50+

Budget Size: $2M+

Certifications: Certified Food Manager

Why this works:

• Strategic Leadership: The summary focuses on strategic leadership and business development, demonstrating the candidate’s ability to drive overall success.
• Scale & Scope: Explicitly stating the budget size and team count highlights the candidate’s experience managing large-scale operations.
• Elite Certifications: Listing relevant certifications, such as Certified Food Manager, demonstrates the candidate’s commitment to industry best practices.

How to Write a Restaurant Manager Resume

The Resume Summary

The resume summary is your chance to make a strong first impression. It should highlight your key skills, experience, and career goals in a concise and compelling way. Use this formula: [Years of Experience] + [Job Title] + [Key Skills] + [Quantifiable Achievement (Optional)] + [Career Goal]

Entry-Level Example: Recent Hospitality Management graduate seeking an Entry-Level Restaurant Manager position to utilize strong customer service and teamwork skills.

Mid-Level Example: Results-oriented Restaurant Manager with 5+ years of experience in driving revenue growth and improving customer satisfaction.

Senior-Level Example: Highly accomplished Senior Restaurant Manager with 10+ years of experience in leading successful restaurant operations and driving strategic initiatives.

Work Experience & Action Verbs

Focus on achievements rather than just listing duties. Use strong action verbs to showcase your accomplishments and quantify your impact whenever possible. Recruiters want to see how you made a difference.

• Before: Responsible for managing inventory. After: Implemented an inventory management system that reduced waste by 15%.
• Before: Handled customer complaints. After: Resolved customer complaints effectively, resulting in a 10% increase in customer satisfaction scores.
• Before: Trained new staff members. After: Developed and implemented a staff training program that improved employee performance by 20%.
• Before: Managed restaurant operations. After: Streamlined restaurant operations, resulting in a 5% reduction in operational costs.
• Before: Assisted with marketing efforts. After: Developed and executed a marketing campaign that increased restaurant revenue by 12%.

Top Skills for Restaurant Managers

Here are some essential skills to include on your Restaurant Manager resume:

Hard Skills

• Restaurant Operations Management
• Inventory Management
• Cost Control
• Budgeting & Forecasting
• Staff Training & Development
• Customer Service
• POS Systems

Soft Skills

• Leadership
• Communication
• Problem-Solving
• Teamwork
• Time Management
• Decision-Making
• Conflict Resolution

Tools/Software

• Toast POS
• Square POS
• Restaurant365
• Compeat
• CrunchTime!

Education & Certifications

List your education in reverse chronological order. For entry-level candidates, highlight relevant coursework. For mid-level and senior-level candidates, focus on degrees and certifications.

Consider including these certifications:

• Certified Food Manager (CFM)
• ServSafe Manager Certification
• Certified Restaurant Manager (CRM)

10 Common Restaurant Manager Resume Mistakes

1. Generic Resume Summary: A vague summary fails to capture attention. It doesn’t showcase your specific value. Impact: Recruiters skim past generic summaries, missing your unique strengths. Quick Fix: Tailor your summary to the specific job, highlighting your key skills and achievements relevant to the role.
2. Listing Duties Instead of Impact: Recruiters know what a Restaurant Manager does; they want to know how well you did it. Replace passive phrases like ‘Responsible for sales’ with quantified wins like ‘Increased territory revenue by 22% YOY’. Impact: Fails to demonstrate your effectiveness and contributions. Quick Fix: Quantify your achievements whenever possible, using metrics and data to showcase your impact.
3. Ignoring ATS Optimization: Failing to use relevant keywords can cause your resume to be overlooked by Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). These systems scan for specific terms, and a lack of optimization hurts your chances. Impact: Your resume may not be seen by a human recruiter. Quick Fix: Research the keywords used in the job description and incorporate them naturally into your resume.
4. Poor Formatting: A cluttered or poorly formatted resume is difficult to read and can detract from your qualifications. Recruiters value candidates who present information clearly and concisely. Impact: Makes it difficult for recruiters to quickly assess your qualifications. Quick Fix: Use a clean, professional format with clear headings, bullet points, and consistent spacing.
5. Grammar and Spelling Errors: Misspelling Core Industry Terminology: Typos in general are bad, but misspelling critical tools or certifications (like ‘ServSafe’, ‘HACCP’, or ‘POS’) acts as an immediate red flag regarding your attention to detail. Impact: Creates a negative impression and suggests a lack of attention to detail. Quick Fix: Proofread your resume carefully before submitting it, or ask someone else to review it for errors.
6. Lack of Specific Skills: Failing to highlight relevant skills can cause recruiters to overlook your qualifications. Showcase your expertise in areas like inventory management, staff training, and customer service. Impact: Recruiters may assume you lack the necessary skills for the role. Quick Fix: Create a skills section that lists your relevant hard and soft skills, tailored to the job description.
7. Inconsistent Job Titles: Using inconsistent or inaccurate job titles can create confusion and make it difficult for recruiters to understand your career progression. Impact: Confuses recruiters and makes it difficult to assess your experience. Quick Fix: Use consistent and accurate job titles that reflect your actual responsibilities and level of experience.
8. Missing Contact Information: Forgetting to include your contact information makes it impossible for recruiters to reach you. Double-check that your phone number and email address are accurate and up-to-date. Impact: Prevents recruiters from contacting you for an interview. Quick Fix: Double-check your contact information before submitting your resume.
9. Overly Long Resume: A resume that is too long can overwhelm recruiters and make it difficult for them to focus on your key qualifications. Aim for a concise and targeted resume that highlights your most relevant experience. Impact: Makes it difficult for recruiters to quickly assess your qualifications. Quick Fix: Keep your resume to one or two pages, focusing on your most relevant experience and achievements.
10. Not Tailoring to the Job Description: Sending a generic resume without tailoring it to the specific job description is a missed opportunity. Customize your resume to match the requirements and keywords of each job application. Impact: Fails to demonstrate your suitability for the specific role. Quick Fix: Tailor your resume to each job description, highlighting the skills and experience that are most relevant to the position.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What should I include in my Restaurant Manager resume summary? Your summary should highlight your years of experience, key skills, and career goals in a concise and compelling way.
2. How can I quantify my achievements as a Restaurant Manager? Use metrics and data to showcase your impact on revenue, efficiency, customer satisfaction, and cost control.
3. What are the most important skills to include on my Restaurant Manager resume? Focus on skills like restaurant operations management, inventory management, staff training, customer service, and leadership.
4. How should I format my education section on my resume? List your education in reverse chronological order, highlighting relevant coursework for entry-level candidates and degrees/certifications for experienced candidates.
5. What certifications are recommended for Restaurant Managers? Consider including certifications like Certified Food Manager (CFM), ServSafe Manager Certification, and Certified Restaurant Manager (CRM).
6. How long should my Restaurant Manager resume be? Aim for a concise and targeted resume that is one or two pages in length.
7. Should I include a cover letter with my Restaurant Manager resume? Yes, a cover letter provides an opportunity to further highlight your qualifications and express your interest in the position.
8. How can I optimize my resume for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)? Use a clean, ATS-friendly format and incorporate relevant keywords throughout your resume.
9. What should I do if I have limited experience as a Restaurant Manager? Focus on highlighting your transferable skills, relevant education, and any volunteer or internship experience.
10. How often should I update my Restaurant Manager resume? Update your resume regularly to reflect your latest skills, experience, and achievements.

Crafting a compelling Restaurant Manager resume requires a strategic approach. By following the examples and tips in this guide, you can create a resume that showcases your skills and experience and helps you land your dream job. Search more Restaurant Manager resources for further assistance.