A dining room manager oversees the daily operations of a dining establishment or restaurant. They supervise staff, ensuring efficient and clean service, and handle customer concerns to maintain high satisfaction. They also manage inventory and budget, compile daily reports, and introduce menus. In addition, they assist in staff training and orientation. Their role often involves coordinating special catering events and implementing food and beverage cost control programs. They also manage staff scheduling, handle customer complaints, and maintain high quality standards in food and beverage service, safety, and sanitation. They may also be responsible for managing payroll, timekeeping, and new hire paperwork.
It typically takes 4-5 years to become a dining room manager:
Avg. Salary $49,372
Avg. Salary $59,228
Stability LevelGrowth Rate 10 %
Growth Rate 0.3 %
RaceAmerican Indian and Alaska Native 0.56 %
Asian 8.46 %
Black or African American 10.37 %
Hispanic or Latino 15.59 %
Unknown 4.88 %
White 60.14 %
Gender
female 57.08 %
male 42.92 %
Age - 38
RaceAmerican Indian and Alaska Native 3.00 %
Asian 7.00 %
Black or African American 14.00 %
Hispanic or Latino 19.00 %
White 57.00 %
Gender
female 47.00 %
male 53.00 %
Age - 38
Stress LevelStress level is very high
7.1 - high
Complexity LevelComplexity Level is intermediate
7 - challenging
Work Life BalanceWork Life balance is fair
6.4 - fair
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Is being a Dining Room Manager right for you?
Take the career quizA dining room manager can move up to several roles, such as a general manager, director of food and beverage, or even a regional general manager. They can also transition to managing a different type of establishment, like a store or a multi-unit location. Some may prefer to focus on a specific area, such as catering or banquets, and become a manager or director in those fields.
The educational requirements for a dining room manager typically include a high school diploma, with some positions requiring a certificate, associate, or bachelor's degree. According to Jaunelle Celaire, Chair, Professor of Voice at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, "Never stop learning! This may consist of going back to school, earning new certifications in your field of study." Relevant certifications for a dining room manager include Food Safety Manager Certification, Certified Food Manager, and Certified Dietary Manager.
Dining room managers need a range of skills, from maintaining a high level of cleanliness and efficiency to resolving customer concerns and maintaining positive relationships. They also need technical skills like web design and graphic design. As Dr. Timothy Edwards, Professor and Interim Director at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, puts it, "Writing and research skills. Analytical and critical thinking skills. Technical skills such as web design, graphic design, audio and video production skills. Employers are interested in potential employees knowledge, intelligence and skills."
| Skills | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Fine Dining | 27.40% |
| Food Service | 12.35% |
| Good Judgment | 12.28% |
| Cleanliness | 11.87% |
| Customer Service | 4.68% |
Accountants spend an average of 1-2 years on post-employment, on-the-job training. New dining room managers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a dining room manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real dining room manager resumes.
Dining room manager certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific dining room manager certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants. The most common certifications for dining room managers include Food Safety Manager Certification and Certified Food Manager (CFM).
A dining room manager's responsibilities are diverse and critical to the success of a restaurant. They maintain high-quality standards in food and beverage service, safety, and sanitation. They also supervise staff, handle customer concerns, and manage inventory and scheduling. As Dr. Barbara Davis, William J. Atkins Dean at the Frost School of Business at Centenary College of Louisiana, puts it, "Graduates participating in internships related to their areas of interest. Internships spanning more than one semester at the same firm stand out as well." This shows that a dining room manager's role goes beyond just supervising - it also involves building a strong team.
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your dining room manager resume. You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a dining room manager resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.
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