### Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Food Service Managers Summary
                        
            
                                                        
                                                                
                        
            
            
            
                            
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                
            									
							
				                                                
                                            




            			food service managers imageFood service managers are responsible for the daily operation of a restaurant.							
						Quick Facts:     Food Service Managers2023     Median Pay
            						$63,060     per year
										$30.32     per hourTypical Entry-Level Education
                                    High school diploma or equivalentWork Experience in a Related Occupation
                                    Less than 5 yearsOn-the-job Training
                                    Short-term on-the-job trainingNumber of Jobs, 2022
                                    357,500Job Outlook, 2022-32
                                    0% (Little or no change)Employment Change, 2022-32
                                    1,600What Food Service Managers Do
                                                
                        
                        
Food service managers are responsible for the daily operation of restaurants or other establishments that prepare and serve food and beverages.
            
                        Work Environment
                        
Food service managers work in restaurants, hotels, school cafeterias, and other establishments where food is prepared and served. They often work evenings, weekends, and holidays. The work is often hectic, and dealing with dissatisfied customers may be stressful.
            
                                                How to Become a Food Service Manager
                                                
                        
Food service managers typically need a high school diploma and several years of work experience in the food service industry. Some receive additional training at community colleges, technical or vocational schools, culinary schools, or 4-year colleges.
            
                        Pay
                        												                            																				    														The median annual wage for food service managers was $63,060 in May 2023.									                                					
						
            
                        Job Outlook
                        						
												Employment							of food service managers is projected to show little or no change							 from 2022 to 2032.
						Despite  limited  employment growth, about 39,600 openings for food service managers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
            			
            			 Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
						State & Area Data
                       Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for food service managers.
            
            
						
                        Similar Occupations
                        
                                                    Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of food service managers with similar occupations.
            
            
                        More Information, Including Links to O*NET
                        
                                               
                        Learn more about food service managers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
 What Food Service Managers Do 
            

			food service managers imageFood service managers ensure that customers are satisfied with their dining experience.			
Food service managers are responsible for the daily operation of restaurants or other establishments that prepare and serve food and beverages. They direct staff to ensure that customers are satisfied with their dining experience, and they manage the business to ensure that it runs efficiently.
Duties
Food service managers typically do the following:
Hire, train, discipline, and sometimes fire employees
Order food and beverages, equipment, and supplies
Oversee food preparation and other kitchen operations
Inspect supplies, equipment, and work areas
Ensure that employees comply with health and food safety standards
Address complaints regarding food quality or service
Schedule staff hours and assign duties
Manage budgets and payroll records
Establish standards for personnel performance and customer serviceManagers coordinate activities of the kitchen and dining room staff to ensure that customers are served properly and in a timely manner. They oversee orders in the kitchen, and, if needed, they work with the chef to remedy service delays.
Food service managers are responsible for all functions of the business related to employees, including overseeing staffing and scheduling workers for each shift. During busy periods, managers may expedite service by helping to serve customers, process payments, or clean tables.
Managers also arrange for cleaning and maintenance of the equipment and facility in order to comply with health and sanitary regulations. For example, they may arrange for trash removal, pest control, and heavy cleaning when the dining room and kitchen are not in use.
In addition, managers have financial responsibilities that include budgeting, ensuring cash flow, and monitoring operational costs. They may set sales goals and determine promotional items.
Most managers prepare the payroll and manage employee records. They also may review or complete paperwork related to licensing, taxes and wages, and unemployment compensation. Although they sometimes assign these tasks to an assistant manager or a bookkeeper, most managers are responsible for the accuracy of business records.
Some managers add up the cash and charge slips and secure them in a safe place. They also may check that ovens, grills, and other equipment are properly cleaned and secured and that the establishment is locked at the close of business.
 Work Environment
			Food service managersFood service managers’ schedules vary and may include nights, weekends, and holidays.			

	    
				
	
	
	
	
	
	
	    					 Food service managers held about 357,500 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of food service managers were as follows:
        Restaurants and other eating places
                49%Self-employed workers
                33Special food services
                5Accommodation
                2Full-service restaurants (those with table service) may have a management team that includes a general manager, one or more assistant managers, and an executive chef.
Food service managers’ work is often hectic, and dealing with dissatisfied customers may be stressful.
Injuries and illnesses
Kitchens are usually crowded and filled with dangerous objects and areas, such as hot ovens and slippery floors. As a result, injuries are a risk for food service managers, who may spend some of their time helping in the kitchen. Common hazards include slips, falls, and cuts. To reduce these risks, managers often wear nonslip shoes while in the kitchen.
Work Schedules
Most food service managers work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week. Work schedules vary and may include early mornings, nights, weekends, and holidays. They may be called in at short notice.
Managers of food service facilities or cafeterias in schools, factories, or office buildings may be more likely to work traditional business hours.
 How to Become a Food Service Manager

			Food service managersSome food service managers start working in industry-related jobs, such as cooks.			
Food service managers typically need a high school diploma and several years of experience in the food service industry working as a cook, waiter or waitress, or supervisor of food preparation and serving workers. Some receive additional training at a community college, technical or vocational school, culinary school, or 4-year college.
Education
Food service managers typically need a high school diploma, but education requirements for individual positions may vary from no formal educational credential to a college degree.
Employers may prefer to hire candidates who have postsecondary education, especially for jobs at upscale restaurants and hotels. Some food service companies, hotels, and restaurant chains recruit management trainees from college hospitality or food service management programs. These programs may require the participants to work in internships and to have food-industry–related experiences in order to graduate.
Many colleges and universities offer a bachelor’s degree in restaurant and hospitality management or institutional food service management, both of which may be part of a personal and culinary services program. Another field of degree that may be helpful for managers is business. In addition, numerous community colleges, technical institutes, and other institutions offer associate’s degree programs. Some culinary schools offer programs in restaurant management with courses designed for those who want to start and run their own restaurant.
Most programs provide instruction in nutrition, sanitation, and food preparation, as well as courses in accounting, business law, and management. Some programs combine classroom and practical study with internships.
Work Experience in a Related Occupation
Most food service managers start working in related jobs, such as cooks, waiters and waitresses, or supervisors of food preparation and serving workers. They often spend years working in the food service industry, gaining experience and learning the necessary skills before they are promoted to manager positions.
Training
Food service managers  typically receive on-the-job training of at least 1 month. Topics covered during this training may include food preparation, sanitation, security, company policies, personnel management, and recordkeeping.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
Some states and localities require that food service managers have food safety certification. For more information, contact your state or local health department.
Although certification is not always required, managers may obtain the Food Protection Manager Certification (FPMC) by passing a food safety exam. The American National Standards Institute accredits institutions that offer the FPMC.
Important Qualities
***Business skills.*** Food service managers must understand all aspects of the restaurant business, including how to budget for supplies, comply with regulations, and manage workers.
***Communication skills.*** Food service managers must give clear orders to staff and be able to convey information effectively to employees and customers.
***Customer-service skills.*** Food service managers must be courteous and attentive when dealing with patrons.
***Leadership skills.*** Managers must establish good relationships with staff to maintain a productive work environment.
***Organizational skills.*** Managers have many different responsibilities, including scheduling and overseeing staff, budgeting, and maintaining financial records. The larger the establishment, the more complex their job is.
***Physical stamina.*** Managers often work long shifts and sometimes spend entire evenings actively helping to serve customers.
***Problem-solving skills.*** Managers need to be able to resolve personnel issues and customer-related problems.
 Pay

			



	
 
                                                     
            
    
                Food Service ManagersMedian annual wages, May 2023Management occupations$116,880  Food service managers$63,060  Total, all occupations$48,060Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
 

	
	



		
	
	
	
The median annual wage for food service managers was $63,060 in May 2023. 


The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $42,990, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $101,240.





		
	    					 In May 2023, the median annual wages for food service managers in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:	
        Accommodation
                $78,330Special food services
                75,790Restaurants and other eating places
                60,990Most food service managers work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week. Work schedules vary and may include early mornings, nights, weekends, and holidays. They may be called in at short notice.
 Job Outlook

   
        
    
          
        
    
                Food Service ManagersPercent change in employment, projected 2022-32Management occupations5%  Total, all occupations3%  Food service managers0%Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
            
            
			 
	
	
	

			Employment				of food service managers is projected to show little or no change				 from 2022 to 2032.
			
			Despite  limited  employment growth, about 39,600 openings for food service managers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
			
			 Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
			Employment
	
			
Food service managers will be needed to oversee food preparation and service as people continue to dine out, purchase takeout meals, and have food delivered to their homes or workplaces. However, more dining establishments are expected to rely on chefs and head cooks instead of hiring additional food service managers, which should limit employment growth in this occupation.
			

                        Employment projections data for     food service managers, 2022-32
                Occupational Title
                        SOC Code
                        Employment, 2022
                        Projected Employment, 2032
                        Change, 2022-32
                        Employment by IndustryPercent
                        NumericSOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program**Food service managers**
			11-9051
			357,500
			359,200
			0
			1,600
			Get data
 State & Area Data **Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)** The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OES data maps for employment and wages by state and area. Food service managers **Projections Central** Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.com. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved. **CareerOneStop** CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.
 Similar Occupations This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of food service managers. Occupation
                Job Duties
                ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION
                2023     MEDIAN PAY**Bartenders**
            Bartenders mix drinks and serve them directly to customers or through wait staff.
            No formal educational credential
            $31,510**Chefs and Head Cooks**
            Chefs and head cooks oversee the daily food preparation at restaurants and other places where food is served.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $58,920**Lodging Managers**
            Lodging managers ensure that guests have a pleasant experience at an accommodations facility. They also plan, direct, or coordinate activities to ensure that the facility is efficient and profitable.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $65,360**Sales Managers**
            Sales managers direct organizations' sales teams.
            Bachelor's degree
            $135,160**Waiters and Waitresses**
            Waiters and waitresses take orders and serve food and beverages to customers in dining establishments.
            No formal educational credential
            $31,940
 Contacts for More Information
								
For more information about the Food Protection Manager Certification, visit
American National Standards Institute
For more information about food service managers, visit
National Restaurant Association
Society for Hospitality and Foodservice Management

                                                
                                                        
                                                                                                    O*NET
                                        Food Service Managers
 Suggested citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S.  Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Food Service Managers, 
        	 at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/food-service-managers.htm (visited *May 21, 2024*).
 **Last Modified Date:**
                        Wednesday, April 17, 2024


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