Restaurant Manager Resume Examples

Writing a resume for a restaurant manager job can feel like balancing a tray of drinks during a rush hour. You juggle so many duties in your job, yet translating those into a compelling resume is challenging. Crafting a resume that stands out often seems just as hard as managing a busy restaurant. Knowing what to include and how to present it leaves many scratching their heads. Don’t fret; this guide is here to help you showcase your skills and experience effectively.

Your resume template matters. It sets the first impression, emphasizing the most crucial parts of your career. A well-structured template can help you highlight your leadership, customer service, and operational skills. Using the right template makes your achievements pop and tells your story in a compelling way.

We provide over 700 resume examples to help you get started on crafting your resume. Dive in and find the perfect match for your career journey!

What to focus on when writing your restaurant manager resume

A restaurant manager's resume should reflect your leadership skills, operational know-how, and ability to create a welcoming atmosphere for guests. Highlight your experience in managing staff, handling budgets, and ensuring food quality and safety. Showcase your problem-solving abilities and customer service excellence. To boost your impact, consider including bullet points like:

• Consistently increased quarterly sales by 20% through improved customer engagement.
• Successfully managed a team of 15 staff members, reducing turnover by 30%.
• Implemented cost-saving measures resulting in a 15% reduction in food waste.

Must have information on your restaurant manager resume

When crafting a resume for a restaurant manager, certain sections are crucial to make your application stand out. Make sure your resume includes:

• Contact Information
• Professional Summary
• Skills
• Work Experience
• Education
• Certifications

Additional sections, like "Professional Associations" and "Awards and Honors," can further highlight your qualifications and achievements. Be sure your resume is easy to read and well-organized.

Which resume format to choose

For a restaurant manager resume, the combination format is often the best choice, as it highlights both your skills and your work history. Opt for modern fonts like Rubik and Montserrat; they look professional and fresh compared to the old standards of Arial and Times New Roman. Always save your resume as a PDF to ensure formatting stays consistent when it's opened. Keep margins to around 1 inch on all sides to ensure a clean, readable document. Clear section headings help Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) correctly categorize your information, increasing your chances of getting noticed.

A restaurant manager resume should have the following sections:

• Contact Information
• Professional Summary
• Skills
• Work Experience
• Education
• Certifications
• Awards and Recognitions

Resume Mentor's free resume builder handles all of this seamlessly, making the resume crafting process easy for you.

How to write a quantifiable resume experience section

Writing an effective experience section for a restaurant manager resume can be tough. You need it to be clear and precise, showcasing your skills and achievements. Here's how to get it right.

Start with your most recent job first. Use reverse chronological order so hiring managers see your latest experiences first. Only go back about ten to fifteen years; longer than that may not be relevant.

Include job titles directly linked to restaurant management. This could be Assistant Manager, Shift Supervisor, or General Manager. Tailor your resume for the job you want. Use action words like "boosted," "managed," "expanded," and "improved" to make your accomplishments shine.

Here’s a poorly written example:

This example is bad because it’s too vague. Each bullet point is basic and doesn't show what you really accomplished. It only tells what you did, not how well you did it.

Now, here’s a more impressive example:

This example is better because it uses numbers and specific achievements. It shows the hiring manager how well you did your job. This makes your experience section more impactful and memorable. The action words help make your achievements stand out.

Follow these tips, and you'll have a strong experience section that makes you look like the best candidate for the job.

Restaurant manager resume experience examples

Ready to take your career to the next level? Feel free to look over some well-seasoned resume experience sections, each with a different flavor and focus. After all, the proof is in the pudding!

Achievement-focused

Communicate the specific achievements that showcase your accomplishments. Quantify the results whenever possible to make your experience more compelling.

Skills-focused

Emphasize the skills that make you exceptional. Make sure these skills are relevant to the role you are applying for.

Responsibility-focused

Highlight the scope of your responsibilities in the role. This can help demonstrate your level of experience and capability.

Project-focused

Focus on specific projects you've spearheaded or contributed to. This shows your ability to manage tasks and initiatives.

Result-focused

Illustrate the outcomes of your actions and decision-making. Use numbers and percentages to showcase your effectiveness.

Industry-Specific Focus

Emphasize your experience within the restaurant industry. This highlights your relevant background and expertise.

Problem-Solving focused

Showcase your ability to handle challenges and solve problems. This can indicate your critical thinking and decision-making skills.

Innovation-focused

Highlight how you've brought new ideas and improvements to the table. This can illustrate your creativity and forward-thinking.

Leadership-focused

Emphasize your leadership roles and capabilities. This can showcase your ability to lead a team effectively.

Customer-focused

Demonstrate your commitment to customer service. This is crucial in the hospitality field where customer satisfaction is paramount.

Growth-focused

Outline how you've contributed to the growth of the business. This shows your ability to drive success and expansion.

Efficiency-focused

Show how you've improved processes and increased efficiency. This can highlight your ability to optimize operations.

Technology-focused

Focus on your ability to implement and use technology. This is increasingly important for streamlining operations.

Collaboration-focused

Describe how you’ve worked with others to achieve common goals. This is key for teamwork and company culture.

Training and Development focused

Show your experience in training and mentoring others. Highlight the impact of your training programs.

Write your restaurant manager resume summary section

To write a strong resume summary for a restaurant manager position, you need to condense your skills, experience, and achievements into a few compelling sentences. The summary section must grab attention quickly. Highlight your management abilities, key accomplishments, and any unique skills that set you apart. Good keywords include leadership, customer service, and restaurant operations, but don't overuse them.

When describing yourself, focus on your experience, strengths, and what you can offer the employer. Use active language and be specific about your skills and achievements. Avoid generic statements that don't provide value.

A resume summary differs from a resume objective, profile, and summary of qualifications. A resume summary highlights your career achievements. A resume objective states your career goals. A profile is a brief overview of your personal strengths and attributes. A summary of qualifications is a list of your most critical qualifications.

Here's an example of a poorly written resume summary:

This summary example is bad because it is vague and lacks specific details. It doesn’t quantify experience, skills, or accomplishments. It also contains generic claims without any supporting data.

Here's an example of a well-crafted resume summary:

This summary example is good because it provides specific numbers and achievements, showing rather than telling. It highlights pertinent skills and showcases passion for customer service, making it more engaging and informative for hiring managers.

Listing your restaurant manager skills on your resume

When writing the skills section for your restaurant manager resume, you have two options. You can create a standalone section labeled "Skills" or integrate your skills into other sections like the experience and summary. Strengths and soft skills highlight your interpersonal abilities, such as leadership or communication. Hard skills, on the other hand, are specific, teachable abilities like budgeting, inventory management, or proficiency in a point-of-sale (POS) system.

Skills and strengths can be considered resume keywords. Recruiters often scan for these keywords to identify suitable candidates quickly. Including relevant skills and strengths throughout your resume can make your application more noticeable and compelling.

This skills section is effective because it lists relevant and specific skills that a restaurant manager should possess. Each skill directly ties into key responsibilities of the role, such as managing a team, ensuring food safety, and handling budgeting tasks. Including these keywords can help your resume pass through applicant tracking systems and grab a hiring manager's attention.

Best hard skills to feature on your restaurant manager resume

Hard skills for a restaurant manager should demonstrate your ability to handle specific tasks and responsibilities. These skills should show that you have the technical know-how to run a restaurant effectively.

Best soft skills to feature on your restaurant manager resume

Soft skills for a restaurant manager should highlight your ability to lead a team, interact with customers, and create a positive work environment. These skills show that you can manage people effectively and keep operations running smoothly.

How to include your education on your resume

The education section is an important part of your restaurant manager resume. It should be tailored to the job you’re applying for, meaning any irrelevant education should not be included. When listing your degree, include the full title such as "Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management." If your GPA is impressive, (generally over 3.5), you can include it along with "cum laude" if applicable. This adds credibility and demonstrates your academic achievements. Remove education that does not pertain to the job, as it might distract from your relevant skills.

The first example is poorly written. An Associate of Arts in English is not relevant to a restaurant manager position. Excluding GPA and honors, if any, misses an opportunity to showcase academic excellence. The reader might also think the candidate lacks necessary education related to hospitality.

The second example is outstanding. The Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management is directly relevant to a restaurant manager role. Including a high GPA of 3.8 demonstrates academic excellence. The date range is accurate and the focus is clear. This version strengthens your qualifications for the position.

How to include restaurant manager certificates on your resume

Including a certificates section in your restaurant manager resume is crucial. Properly listing your certificates showcases your expertise and commitment to the profession. In the header, you can list key certificates to immediately catch the employer's eye. For example: "Certified Restaurant Manager (ServSafe Food Protection Manager, 2022)."

List the name of each certificate clearly. Include the date you received it to show its relevance. Add the issuing organization to provide credibility. Strive for simplicity and clarity to ensure each certificate stands out.

A good example of a standalone certificates section is:

This example is effective because it reflects important and recognized certificates relevant to restaurant management. Listing the date and issuing organization adds authenticity. This demonstrates your continuous professional development and commitment to maintaining high standards.

Extra sections to include in your restaurant manager resume

Landing a job as a restaurant manager requires a resume that highlights not just your experience but also your unique skills and passions. To make your resume stand out, you can include various sections that offer a well-rounded view of who you are and what you bring to the table.

• Language section — Show off your language skills by listing languages you speak fluently. This can be a big plus for restaurants that cater to a diverse clientele.
• Hobbies and interests section — Include activities that demonstrate your leadership or teamwork skills, like playing in a sports league. Hobbies provide a snapshot of your personality and can make you more relatable.
• Volunteer work section — Illustrate your commitment to the community by listing volunteer activities. This demonstrates character and social responsibility.
• Books section — Highlight books you've read that are relevant to business or personal development. This shows that you are committed to lifelong learning.

Pair your restaurant manager resume with a cover letter

A cover letter is a one-page document that you send with your resume when applying for a job. It introduces you to the employer, summarizes your qualifications, and explains why you want the job. A well-crafted cover letter can help you by making a strong first impression and by highlighting the skills and experiences that make you a good fit for the role.

For a restaurant manager position, your cover letter should focus on your leadership skills, experience in the food service industry, and your ability to manage both staff and operations effectively. Mention any specific achievements, such as improving customer satisfaction or increasing sales, to show how you can add value to the organization.

Create your standout cover letter today using Resume Mentor's cover letter builder. It's easy to use and allows you to export your cover letter in PDF format, helping protect your content and keep the formatting intact.