The restaurant industry needs to be very flexible and adaptable. There are numerous innovations, restaurant technology trends, and other things to follow in order to answer consumer demand. That’s why restaurant staff should be regularly trained to maintain excellent customer service levels. Restaurant manager training is also a process. Managerial staff need to be in line with trends in both front-of-house (FOH) and back-of-house (BOH) procedures. In this post, we’ll share more about the most important types of restaurant manager training and some of the courses every manager in the food service sector needs to go through. Whether you’re a business owner who manages a small family-owned restaurant or you work at a popular fast-food restaurant chain, this article will help you. Make sure to also read our guides on restaurant kitchen design and how to deal with the effects of restaurant inflation.
Key takeaway: Managerial staff in the food service industry need to be knowledgeable in various fields. That’s why comprehensive programs and courses that cover multiple aspects of a hospitality business are the most popular restaurant manager training programs. There are also business-specific or topical courses for business owners and managers in the food service sector.
Restaurant Manager Training Programs
There are various restaurant manager training courses, both online and offline. Most managers and businesses choose full-scale programs that teach all the important aspects of managing a restaurant business. Some of the modules included in these comprehensive restaurant manager training programs are related to staff management, inventory, restaurant technology, and more. Here are a few examples of such programs.
- ServSafe Manager Certification by the National Restaurant Association is not only one of the most popular restaurant manager training programs, but it’s also mandatory in many states.
- Foodservice Management Certificate by Cornell University. As it’s offered by an Ivy League institution, this certificate is among the most credible in the sector.
- Other comprehensive programs can be found on popular websites such as restaurantowner.com, Coursera, Skillshare, and Udemy. If you prefer to choose a full-scale restaurant manager training, make sure to choose only reputable courses with good feedback and a high score.
Restaurant Manager Training Courses
Some managers might lack knowledge in certain areas or might wish to expand their horizons in order to adapt to the latest trends and guarantee their restaurant’s success. That’s why, in addition to the comprehensive learning programs mentioned above, there are also courses that focus on a single field. Here are some areas in which food service managerial staff can expand their knowledge.
- Leadership and management. Although that is a broad field, it’s essential for managers to be competent in the different aspects of leadership.
- Food safety and regulation compliance. These courses include details about HACCP principles, allergen awareness, best food safety practices, and other topics.
- Customer service in the hospitality industry. Upselling techniques, guest interaction, and table etiquette are just a few of the important fields a restaurant manager needs to be an expert in.
- Inventory. Proper restaurant inventory management is crucial in the food service business. These courses cover topics such as inventory tracking, par levels, supply chain management, controlling food costs, and vendor relationship management.
- Marketing. From restaurant customer acquisition to using menu design as a way to increase the average purchase value, there are various topics in a restaurant manager training about marketing and sales. Check out our post about modern restaurant marketing.
- Business management and financial operations. Naturally, managers should be well aware of budgeting, forecasting, and other topics that will help them maintain profitability and grow the business.
- Other restaurant operations. The food service sector has complex operations and processes. That’s why there are various courses that focus on specific aspects, like how to build an eco-friendly restaurant, how to do restaurant design, the latest innovations in restaurant technology, and many more.
Business-Specific Restaurant Manager Training
The food service industry consists of various types of restaurants and other businesses that serve food. That’s why some courses and training programs are more suitable for a certain type of restaurant but are not applicable to others. For example, an owner of a coffee shop might be interested in going through a course on espresso drinks and latte art. On the other hand, a business development or marketing manager in a restaurant chain might benefit from a course on introducing and selling restaurant merchandise. Other business-specific restaurant manager training programs might be focused on the different types of food service businesses. That’s because managing a food truck and a fine dining restaurant have very few similarities.
Frequently Asked Questions about Restaurant Manager Training
Throughout the years, BlueCart has become not only a reliable tool for wholesale sales but also a place with valuable resources from various niche markets. Whether you’re a broadline distributor or a manager of an eco-friendly and sustainable restaurant, you’ll find many useful articles on our website. Below are the answers to some frequently asked questions regarding restaurant manager training.
What Are Important Skills for a Restaurant Manager?
Good leadership and communication skills are undoubtedly among the most important skills for a good restaurant manager. In addition to those two soft skills, managers should also have good attention to detail, proper financial management skills, and adaptability. The ability to multitask is also crucial in the food service sector, as managing a business requires possessing knowledge in various areas. Receiving and giving feedback is also crucial for a restaurant manager. As well as good customer service skills and the ability to think about how to make the experience better.
How to Train Other Restaurant Employees?
An important aspect of management for restaurants is to develop a well-versed and thorough staff training program. That’s because of the high turnover rate in the food service sector. On average, restaurants have a 75% annual turnover rate. Thus, it’s paramount to have a proper program for employee training. Creating restaurant recipe cards, developing a mentoring program, and having theoretical courses are just a few examples of the ways to train restaurant employees. Make sure to also invest in soft skills training. That includes communication skills, multitasking, feedback (both giving and receiving), time management, and teamwork.
Where to Find Courses for Restaurant Managers?
Nowadays, there are multiple resources available online. From comprehensive restaurant manager training courses to training programs for the food and beverage industry, there are multiple options. Make sure to only purchase well-reviewed courses from reputable sources. Although there are some free or cheap alternatives out there, these might not be in-depth or on the required level. Some managers might also benefit from formal education on operating a food service business. Although it’s not mandatory, it’s a must-have for professionals who wish to build a career as leaders and grow in the restaurant and catering sector.
BlueCart: Connecting Restaurant Managers and Distributors
The main goal of our platform is to act as an intermediary between food service businesses and wholesale distribution companies. Throughout the years, thousands of restaurants, coffee shops, and other businesses have seen the benefits of BlueCart’s features. Thanks to our wholesale ordering software, companies can easily find vendors, automate various tasks, and even manage inventory. Suppliers also have multiple reasons to use BlueCart’s platform. Our marketplace can help them increase B2B sales, create eCommerce catalogs, and scale their business. Book a demo to witness the power of BlueCart’s solutions!