What is an assistant restaurant manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
5 min read
Quoted Expert
Andrew Lovell
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An assistant restaurant manager supports the restaurant manager in overseeing the daily operations of a restaurant. They manage staff, ensure customer satisfaction, maintain inventory levels, and implement policies and procedures. Assistant restaurant managers often help with budgeting, scheduling, and financial reporting, as well as participating in training to develop staff skills. They work with the restaurant manager to address concerns and ensure smooth and profitable operations. They provide customer service while maximizing the restaurant's success.

What general advice would you give to an Assistant Restaurant Manager?

A

Andrew LovellAndrew Lovell LinkedIn Profile

Director, Corporate Partnerships & Engagement, Temple University

I may be a bit “old school” but I strongly believe that a savvy and skilled manager of employee teams will never fall off this list, and likely will be even more valuable in coming years as the mix of multiple generations in the workforce continues. Communicating well with people as you lead is just essential! Second, without question managers that can utilize AI for efficient and positive experience enhancement in their hospitality environments will be highly sought after. Third, the manager that can create budgets and financial plans that contribute to increased profitability will always be important.
ScoreAssistant Restaurant ManagerUS Average
Salary
3.6

Avg. Salary $45,620

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level
9.1

Growth Rate 10%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity
7.2
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.59%

Asian 9.95%

Black or African American 10.24%

Hispanic or Latino 18.10%

Unknown 5.62%

White 55.51%

Gender

female 48.70%

male 51.30%

Age - 38
Race

American 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 Level
9.1

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity Level
5.3

Complexity Level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance
5.0

Work Life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being an Assistant Restaurant Manager?

Pros

  • Opportunity for career advancement

  • Competitive salary and benefits

  • Exposure to different cuisines and cooking techniques

  • Hands-on experience in all aspects of restaurant operations

  • Job security with a stable industry that always has a demand for workers

Cons

  • Physical demands of the job, such as standing for long periods of time

  • Working in hot, noisy, or crowded conditions

  • High employee turnover rates can make it challenging to maintain a consistent team

  • Limited personal life due to the nature of the job

  • Responsibility for ensuring the safety of employees and customers can be stressful.

Assistant Restaurant Manager career paths

Key steps to become an assistant restaurant manager

  1. Explore assistant restaurant manager education requirements

    Most common assistant restaurant manager degrees

    Bachelor's

    52.4 %

    Associate

    24.0 %

    High School Diploma

    13.1 %
  2. Start to develop specific assistant restaurant manager skills

    Skills
    ascdesc
    Percentages
    ascdesc
    Customer Service14.91%
    Cleanliness12.93%
    Food Service7.74%
    Product Quality5.47%
    Restaurant Operations5.26%
  3. Complete relevant assistant restaurant manager training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 1-2 years on post-employment, on-the-job training. New assistant restaurant 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 an assistant restaurant manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real assistant restaurant manager resumes.
  4. Gain additional assistant restaurant manager certifications

    Assistant restaurant 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 assistant restaurant manager certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

    The most common certifications for assistant restaurant managers include Food Safety Manager Certification and Certified Food Manager (CFM).

    More About Certifications
  5. Research assistant restaurant manager duties and responsibilities

    • Manage the food and beverage operation of Mobil 5-Star and AAA 5-Diamond hotel.
    • Monitor and manage beverage and wine supplies, completing monthly reconciliations to ensure inventory accuracy.
    • Coordinate, communicate and delegate FOH responsibilities to staff to ensure excellent operations are consistently achieve.
    • Schedule, set up and staff for functions, outings, wine tastings, fine dining evenings and other upscale events.
  6. Prepare your assistant restaurant manager resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your assistant restaurant 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 an assistant restaurant manager resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose From 10+ Customizable Assistant Restaurant Manager Resume templates

    Build a professional Assistant Restaurant Manager resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Assistant Restaurant Manager resume.
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    Assistant Restaurant Manager Resume
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    Assistant Restaurant Manager Resume
  7. Apply for assistant restaurant manager jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for an assistant restaurant manager job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How Did You Land Your First Assistant Restaurant Manager Job

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Average assistant restaurant manager salary

The average Assistant Restaurant Manager salary in the United States is $45,620 per year or $22 per hour. Assistant restaurant manager salaries range between $33,000 and $62,000 per year.

Average Assistant Restaurant Manager Salary
$45,620 Yearly
$21.93 hourly

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How do assistant restaurant managers rate their job?

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Assistant Restaurant Manager reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Apr 2023
Pros

High energy job, fast paced, social interactions.

Cons

Long hours, late nights, staffing, constantly adjusting to economic changes.


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A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2020
Pros

Leadership setting goals as team players, enjoying effective communication and understanding people and providing the best services and products. Happy staff happy business.

Cons

Negativity, bad customer service, and dishonesty and disrespect from stafff


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A zippia user wrote a review on Mar 2020
Cons

Sometimes it gets overwhelming. Everyone turns to you and you have to be able to help them


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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