The more career opportunities culinary industry offers, the more work challenges it sets forth. A profitable career option in the culinary field is to become a restaurant manager. Anyone who manages the floor, the kitchen or the administration is referred to as a restaurant manager. The difference in the roles of restaurant managers actually depends on whether they are working for local family-run restaurant or a high-end restaurant. While visiting small restaurants, you must have noticed that restaurant owners also look after the overall business operation. They are also restaurant managers. Large restaurants have definitive roles for restaurant managers. In large or high-end restaurants, restaurant manager (also called general managers) take care of the administrative division whereas the executive chef is responsible for kitchen management.

While the executive chef takes care of the food preparation in kitchen, the restaurant manager directs the rest of the staff and supervises their work. During this administrative career, the restaurant manager is responsible for smooth functioning of the whole operation and handling the business end, thereby bringing profit to the restaurant. Looking at the job responsibilities that the restaurant manager is required to perform, they must possess a thorough understanding of budgeting, accounting, banking methods and credit policies.

It is only a skilled restaurant manager who knows how to motivate the staff to always work for the better. Whether it is the service standard or the safety guidelines, the general manager ensures that the restaurant staff strictly abides by them. Not only professionally, but the responsibilities of a restaurant manager also include seeing to the well being of staff and providing them job satisfaction. Recruitment of new kitchen staff, maintenance of kitchen equipment, budgeting, work scheduling and surveying are the other responsibilities that these professionals have to shoulder during their career as restaurant manager or general manager in a large kitchen.

Educational Background
A high school diploma is the minimum educational requirement to apply for the post of a restaurant manager. A number of junior colleges and universities in the United States offer associate degrees, bachelor degrees and other graduate programs in restaurant management. Career opportunities become more fruitful for candidates who have both college education as well as some previous work experience in business administration. Besides earning a degree in restaurant management, candidates can also opt for various courses in hotel and restaurant administration. The restaurant manager must have strong communication skills, team playing spirit and motivating potential.

To kick-start their career, candidates can also enroll themselves in restaurant manager trainee programs. Restaurant managers can join as prospective managers too. These positions may include account manager, food and beverage manager and sales manager among. After spending a couple of years in these fields, professionals can finally become general managers.

Career Outlook
Though candidates may need to face tough competition, job opportunities are greater and the employment growth rate is expected to grow as fast as average through 2014. Candidates can easily land a job at small restaurants first. Later with a few years of experience, you can apply at large or high-end restaurants. Those who join leading restaurant chain can be promoted to the position of regional manager or executive manager. The job of a restaurant manager does not only require physical effort, but it gives you mental pressures as well.

Most of the time restaurant managers will be on their feet, attending to customers and dealing with employees. While dealing with customers, patience is the key requirement with restaurant managers or general managers. Working hours of a restaurant manager may vary between 40 and 48 hours a week. Restaurant managers should also be ready to work on weekends and at nights, depending on the type and chain of restaurant they join.

Earning from Your Career as Restaurant Manager
The salary you get will depend on the type of restaurant you join and responsibilities you are assigned. Metropolitan cities offer better restaurant manager career opportunities, both in terms of professional and personal growth. Average annual salary of a restaurant manager can be around $42,000. Restaurant managers also receive yearly bonuses. Those employed in leading restaurant chains will be entitled to some exclusive benefits like paid vacations, retirement benefits and health insurances among others.

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