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 is profitable.
Managers 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 any delays in service.
Recruiter & Staffing Needs
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 is profitable.
Managers 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 any delays in service.
Recruiter & Staffing Needs
Job Prospects
Although job opportunities should be good overall, they should be best for food service managers with several years of work experience in a restaurant or food service establishment. Most job openings will result from the need to replace managers who leave the occupation.
Job seekers with a combination of work experience in food service and a bachelor’s degree in hospitality, restaurant, or food service management should have an edge when competing for jobs at upscale hotels and restaurants.
Employment projections data for food service managers, 2016-26
| Occupational Title | SOC Code | Employment, 2016 | Projected Employment, 2026 | Change, 2016-26 | Employment by Industry | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percent | Numeric | |||||
| Food Service Managers | 11-9051 | 308,700 | 336,400 | 9 | 27,600 |  xlsx |
SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
Employment projections data for food service managers, 2016-26
| Occupational Title |
|---|
| Food Service Managers |
| SOC Code |
| 11-9051 |
| Employment, 2016 |
| 308,700 |
| Projected Employment, 2026 |
| 336,400 |
| CHANGE, 2016-26 |
| PERCENT |
| 9 |
| NUMERIC |
| 27,600 |
| EMPLOYMENT BY INDUSTRY |
| xlsx |
SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
Pay
The median annual wage for food service managers was $52,030 in May 2017. 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 $29,850, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $90,290.
In May 2017, the median annual wages for food service managers in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
| Accommodations | $61,590 |
|---|---|
| Special Food Services | $58,900 |
| Restaurants and Other Eating Places | $49,380 |
Most food service managers work full time. Managers at fine-dining and fast-food restaurants often work long shifts, and some work more than 40 hours per week. Managers of food service facilities or cafeterias in schools, factories, or office buildings usually work traditional business hours. Managers may be called in on short notice, including evenings, weekends, and holidays. Some managers may also manage multiple locations.
Food Service Managers
Median annual wages, May 2017
Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics
Job Outlook
Employment of food service managers is projected to grow 9 percent from 2016 to 2026, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
Population and income growth are expected to result in greater demand for food at a variety of dining establishments. People will continue to dine out, purchase takeout meals, or have food delivered to their homes or workplaces. In response to increased consumer demand, more restaurants, cafeterias, and catering services are expected to open and serve more meals. Many of these establishments will require food service managers to oversee food preparation and service.
Food Service Managers
Percent change in employment, projected 2016-26
Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics
Run Your First Background Check for Food Service Managers
Similar Occupations
| Occupational Title | Job duties | Entry-Level education | 2017 Median pay | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Bartenders | Bartenders mix drinks and serve them directly to customers or through wait staff. | No Formal Educational Credential | $21,690 |
 |
Chefs and Head Cooks | Chefs and head cooks oversee the daily food preparation at restaurants and other places where food is served. They direct kitchen staff and handle any food-related concerns. | High School Diploma or Equivalent | $45,950 |
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Lodging Managers | Lodging managers ensure that guests on vacation or business travel have a pleasant experience at a hotel, motel, or other types of establishment with accommodations. They also ensure that the establishment is run efficiently and profitably. | High School Diploma or Equivalent | $51,800 |
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Sales Managers | Sales managers direct organizations' sales teams. They set sales goals, analyze data, and develop training programs for organizations’ sales representatives. | Bachelor's Degree | $121,060 |
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Waiters and Waitresses | Waiters and waitresses take orders and serve food and beverages to customers in dining establishments. | No Formal Educational Credential | $20,820 |
|
| OCCUPATIONAL TITLE |
|---|
| Bartenders |
| JOB DUTIES |
| Bartenders mix drinks and serve them directly to customers or through wait staff. |
| ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION |
| No Formal Educational Credential |
| 2017 MEDIAN PAY |
| $21,690 |
|
| OCCUPATIONAL TITLE |
| Chefs and Head Cooks |
| JOB DUTIES |
| Chefs and head cooks oversee the daily food preparation at restaurants and other places where food is served. They direct kitchen staff and handle any food-related concerns. |
| ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION |
| High School Diploma or Equivalent |
| 2017 MEDIAN PAY |
| $45,950 |
|
| OCCUPATIONAL TITLE |
| Lodging Managers |
| JOB DUTIES |
| Lodging managers ensure that guests on vacation or business travel have a pleasant experience at a hotel, motel, or other types of establishment with accommodations. They also ensure that the establishment is run efficiently and profitably. |
| ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION |
| High School Diploma or Equivalent |
| 2017 MEDIAN PAY |
| $51,800 |
|
| OCCUPATIONAL TITLE |
| Sales Managers |
| JOB DUTIES |
| Sales managers direct organizations' sales teams. They set sales goals, analyze data, and develop training programs for organizations’ sales representatives. |
| ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION |
| Bachelor's Degree |
| 2017 MEDIAN PAY |
| $121,060 |
|
| OCCUPATIONAL TITLE |
| Waiters and Waitresses |
| JOB DUTIES |
| Waiters and waitresses take orders and serve food and beverages to customers in dining establishments. |
| ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION |
| No Formal Educational Credential |
| 2017 MEDIAN PAY |
| $20,820 |
Free Staffing Resources
Professional Recruiter and Staffing Organizations
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National Association of Personnel Services
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Association of Talent Acquisition Professionals
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American Association of International Healthcare Recruitment
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National Association of Executive Recruiters
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National Association for Health Care Recruitment
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Recruitment Process Outsourcing Association
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American Staffing Association
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Top Echelon Recruiting Network
