The Anatomy of an Effective Restaurant Manager

Everyone is unique and has their own leadership style that can open new opportunities for the business. However, when searching for managers, it’s not just a matter of style or temperament. Rather, there is a list of criteria and traits that makes a manager effective in his own right.

A successful restaurant manager possesses several key knowledge and qualities. According to an online survey performed by Indeed, the top traits that comprise the anatomy of an effective restaurant manager includes being dependable, a multi-tasker, proactive, patient, innovative, personable, humble, enthusiastic, detail-oriented, a delegator, accountable and is financially responsible. For an employer, it is  essential to understand what each of these traits encompass so you can find ways to improve their skill set and, in turn, become a more successful restaurant manager.

If you’re looking for a new Restaurant manager, take time to read about these traits in this article so you know what qualities to look for in them or what could be done to improve them.

SKILLS 

• Ability to multitask

Every restaurant manager needs to be able to juggle multiple responsibilities at a time. Having a restaurant manager who can multitask is crucial because running restaurant operations entail a lot of responsibilities which would include marketing, food service, accounting, and employee scheduling/supervision.

• Innovation

An effective restaurant manager must be able to stay on top of the latest trends within the industry and understand what your competitors are currently doing to ensure that the restaurant stays competitive and marketable.

• High attention to detail

If key details are lacking, the restaurant will suffer, and customers will go elsewhere. Restaurant managers need to be able to lead their teams but also devote time to overseeing place settings, employee scheduling, food taste and presentation, and general upkeep and appearances.

• Dependability

Being dependable is an essential trait every restaurant manager should have. Daily, they have to ensure that operations for the restaurant are smooth and concerns of the customers have been properly addressed. Being dependable and reliable is important in the long term from the restaurants

• Great at delegating

Restaurant managers need to be able to delegate tasks to employees because tasks will pile up, and the manager cannot handle all of them. Delegation allows other employees to grow and sharpen their skillets, and an effective restaurant manager knows when to handle tasks himself and when to delegate to others.

• Financially responsible

While customer service should be the top priority when running a restaurant, the main goal is still to make profits to ensure the longevity of the place as well as financial stability of the employees.

BEHAVIOR

• Proactive

Being proactive instead of reactive is vital in a restaurant manager’s skill set. It’s crucial to see potential problems before they arise and already have a plan in place.

• Patience

Patience is an important quality because managers must be understanding with both customers and employees. Having a manager who is impatient will harm the restaurant because it will lower employee morale which  could drive customers away.

• Personable

Having a good personality is essential to be a successful restaurant manager. They should be able to communicate with both their team and customers. Having a personable manager could be a huge factor affecting the morale of the team as well as building long lasting relationships with the customers.

• Humility

Managers understand that they need to be able to trust their team member’s judgements, as well as listen to their customers’ concerns. During busy hours, Managers are expected to show up and must be able to perform any task if the need arises.

• Enthusiasm

At a restaurant, the manager should be enthusiastic and care about his job and the restaurant. To be a successful manager, you should want the restaurant to succeed and customers to have the best dining experience possible.

BACKGROUND

• Industry experience

A good restaurant manager must have a  high level of understanding of the restaurant industry to ensure competitive advantage. This level of understanding is often gained through years of experience.

• Educational background

While experience carries a lot of value, having a related degree could help a restaurant manager improve on their leadership, soft skills and speaking skills.

If you need help with the recruitment or training for your next restaurant manager, we at John Mathew Consulting provide nothing short of the best services. Whether you are a candidate looking for a job, or a client looking for great staff, it takes a lot of time, effort and persistence. Here at Patrice and Associates we assure you, you are in the best hands. We are the largest and most successful recruiting firm in the hospitality industry, with a 30 year track-record, enormous database of candidates & jobs, unmatched industry intelligence and many proprietary tools that will help you stand out from the competition. First consultations are always free!