Operating a restaurant business can be one of the most difficult jobs. That’s why it’s imperative that every business owner implements foolproof restaurant management tactics into their overall strategy. When a restaurant manager takes on an upper-level position, their duties and expectations will span across numerous departments. 

From kitchen duties to front of house operations, there are many working parts to restaurant management. And remember one thing–food service management must be exceptional to provide a great customer experience and generate positive customer reviews. With that being said, we’re about to cover everything you need to know to keep your restaurant business running perfectly.

Restaurant Management: Definition

Restaurant management comprises the series of events that keep an eatery running smoothly. Not only does the term refer to best practices that take place in a food service business, but also a department of employees. 

So, this team follows restaurant management guidelines to provide the best experience possible. In doing so, they aim to maximize revenue and sustain a high restaurant profit margin. 

During a typical shift, restaurant management operations look something like this:

• Recruiting and training new hires, from the servers to different types of chefs. 
• Making sure that there are enough team members assigned to each shift. 
• Ensuring that restaurant inventory levels are sufficient.
• Monitoring restaurant data analytics for any important updates. 
• Reviewing timesheets and payroll calculations. 
• Assisting in employee engagement and staff development efforts. 
• Checking in with guests to ensure stellar customer satisfaction.

How to Manage a Restaurant In 5 Easy Steps 

Do you contribute to restaurant managing efforts and want to improve operations? If so, let’s take a deep dive into five ways to better manage a restaurant.

1. Define the Restaurant’s Goals and Visions

It’s extremely difficult to reach milestones and stay on track when you don’t have goals in mind. It’s just as challenging too when you can’t envision what you want your business to look like in the future. So, before you begin implementing management strategies, define your goals and vision. Then, this will further support the plan of action to write up. We’ll cover that more in detail in the next paragraph.

2. Create a Thorough Action Plan 

Similarly to how you created a restaurant business plan, it’s just as important that you create an action plan for your management efforts. This document should comprise all the goals you have in mind for your team. Then, it should outline the tips and techniques you’ll implement in order to achieve them. 

The action plan can comprise traditional strategies as well as more advanced tech solutions. That way, you can implement what has been proven to work while innovating the entire business model. 

Revolution Ordering offers restaurant tech solutions that can enhance in-house and off-premise operations. Sound like something you're looking for? Schedule a demo with an industry expert to learn all about them!

3. Constantly Monitor Financial Data

When a restaurant budget begins to steer off track, it can cause negative impacts on overall management operations. This is primarily due to the number of restaurant expenses, as well as the risk of eliminating them. For instance, if managers don’t monitor costs as closely as they should, they might need to reduce labor. Or, it might be time to downsize the menu types. As you can imagine, operations go according to plan when spending habits are in check.

4. Build a Strong Team 

Stellar restaurant management practices go hand in hand with optimal employee management tactics. That’s because a good team functions as the foundation of a successful brand. In fact, this idea stems far beyond the restaurant landscape. 

Implementing staff optimization measures will nurture a strong team. Plus, it’ll help build employee retention, lessening the risk of understaffed shifts. When this occurs, restaurant success can spiral downhill.

5. Focus On Quality In Every Department

Quality is the key to success in every regard. For restaurant managers, this means that everything must surpass industry standards, from the customer service to the ingredients in each dish. There are other ways to improve the quality of a restaurant, though. For instance, you can serve food trends, create a customer rewards program, or offer online ordering options. 

If you find that the quality of your restaurant is beginning to plummet, it’s time to make some changes. Review the business plan and strategy that you currently have in place. Then, compare it to what local competitors are doing. This combination of evaluations are sure to spark some ideas.

Best Ways to Improve Restaurant Management Operations 

If you find that your restaurant management operations aren’t up to par, there are many techniques that can lead to improvements. After all, restaurant managing efforts shouldn’t have to be stressful. And, they certainly don't have to result in work overload. 

Here are some tips to improve restaurant operations:

• Hire staff members who have experience in the hospitality industry.
• Delegate the proper amount of duties to each staff member.
• Conduct regular evaluations with your team members to gauge performance.
• Create checklists so your staff has clear guidelines and expectations. 
• Frequently analyze the restaurant data metrics you find most important. 
• Establish direct lines of communication between management and team members.

Frequently Asked Questions About Restaurant Management 

It’s essential that you have a full understanding of restaurant management efforts before running a lucrative brand. With that said, we think you’ll benefit from reviewing a quick summary of the topic. There are many frequently asked questions about restaurant management, so we answered five of them below!

What Is Restaurant Management?

Restaurant management efforts and practices focus on day-to-day operations that take place within an eatery. Restaurant management is the process of overseeing operations in an eatery and making sure that everything runs according to plan. Such processes also refer to ensuring that everything runs according to schedule. Professionals in this role do everything from hiring to marketing the establishment. Plus, they’re the middleman between the team and the owner.

Is Restaurant Management Easy?

No, restaurant management isn’t easy. Not only is it a bit difficult, but it can be one of the most challenging areas of the restaurant space. There are many aspects of a restaurant business; therefore, there are a ton of departments to keep up with. Plus, restaurant managers have a customer base that’s relying on you. If operations begin to go south, it can negatively affect the future of the business.

What Is the Best Way to Manage a Restaurant?

The best way to manage a restaurant is with automated systems and an enthusiastic team. There are so many working parts of managing a restaurant, that it’s crucial that you have the best of the best resources. If not, you severely run the risk of poorly run operations.

What Does a Good Restaurant Manager Do Daily?

You can find a good restaurant manager handling the following tasks on a daily basis:

• Overseeing all operations across the restaurant
• Helping their team be productive and efficient 
• Calculating inventory and placing reorders 
• Analyzing financial data and projections 
• Conducting marketing and promotional activities
• Ensuring that customers have a great dining experience

Is Working As a Restaurant Manager Stressful?

Yes, working as a restaurant manager can be an extremely stressful job to fulfill. However, it can be just as rewarding. As the manager, you’ll have many responsibilities and expectations. Making your operations run smoothly and that minimal errors occur can be quite the challenge.

Key Takeaways 

Investing in professional resources is one of the most game-changing things you can do for your restaurant. After you gain expertise in restaurant management it will lead to simple and productive operations. Once you do, you’ll be amazed by how much more efficient your staff can be. Then, the chances of your eatery sustaining long-term success will be much greater than ever before.