According to the U.S. Department of Labor, food service managers work up to 15 hours per day. That means you spend more time at your restaurant than you do at home. So, spending your time honing your restaurant management skills can help you develop both personally and professionally.
According to foodservicewarehouse.com, here are a few tips to keep you in charge:
Plan. Restaurant managers need to be good planners. Keep a notebook of what lies ahead for the next day from scheduling to inventory. Don’t catch yourself short-handed during a busy dinner rush. Know who is working and have a backup plan if somebody calls off. Keep the team busy during slow times by cleaning and organizing the restaurant.
Communicate. Restaurant management requires you to be a people person. Talk with your customers as they come in the door, either with a friendly hello or some good information about daily specials or what’s new on the menu. Hold staff meetings with your team and make sure to give credit where credit is due.
Multi-task. A good manager is only as good as his or her team. You don’t have to handle all of the duties. Let your co-manager run the kitchen. If you have a friendly front-end hostess, let them greet customers, handle reservations, and seat tables.
In restaurant management, holding a restaurant degree doesn’t guarantee success. Experience matters- you’ll learn a lot about your customers and staff by just listening and paying attention to their needs.
You’re essentially the point person for the business, so wearing a lot of different hats is important. To stay ahead of the game, you’ll need to keep the following tips in mind:
The greatest restaurant on Earth
You don’t need to become the next P.T. Barnum as a marketer. But as the restaurant manager, marketing is important. You can promote your restaurant by giving out your restaurant samples at a food festival, regularly advertising specials, or implementing a loyalty program.
Watch your bottom line.
It’s no secret that being successful in restaurant management means having a strong bottom line. Learning how to manage inventory, track sales, optimize labor, and reduce shrinkage will help you decide where you need to be at the end of the night, week, month, and year.
Make work fun
Nobody wants to work for a bossy boss. Treat your employees with respect, as they are important to creating a positive environment. Hire people who have the skills and temperament to handle a fast-paced business. If your employees are happy, they will work hard.
The customer is always right
Service is a priority in the restaurant industry. From the time the customer walks in the door to when they pay for their check, ensure they have a pleasant experience and listen to their input.
Knowing how to balance the books or have a solid business acumen doesn’t mean that you are a good fit for restaurant management. It takes a pleasant and patient demeanor with a team attitude, being detail-oriented, and having good customer service.
Restaurant management requires a steady hand when dealing with customers, staff, and the everyday obstacles that you face. Are you up to the challenge?