Resume Examples for Restaurant General Managers

A restaurant general manager’s resume or CV should reflect the varying demands of each career stage. Explore tailored templates for entry-level, mid-career, and experienced professionals to craft a unique resume tailored to your background.

Entry-Level Restaurant General Manager Resume

This template, ideal for recent graduates needing assistance writing a resume from scratch, is also suitable for those transitioning into restaurant management from different industries.

Restaurant General Manager Entry Level Resume
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Why this resume works:

This resume showcases excellent font selection with a polished, easy-to-read typeface that improves professionalism. If you’re looking for the best fonts for a resume, consider options like Calibri, Tahoma, and Helvetica—each of which conveys the credibility that hiring managers in the hospitality industry value.

Mid-Career Restaurant General Manager Resume

A good fit for restaurant managers with several years of experience, this template highlights recent achievements and supports career advancement into higher management or specialized roles.

Restaurant General Manager Mid Level Resume
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Why this resume works:

Action verbs like “increased,” “reduced,” and “improved” highlight strong leadership in restaurant management. Metrics such as “increased revenue by 20%” and “reduced food waste by 30%” demonstrate measurable impact through concise, scannable bullet points.

Experienced Restaurant General Manager Resume

An ideal choice for seasoned restaurant professionals with over 10 years of experience, this template supports applicants pursuing senior management roles within the hospitality sector.

Restaurant General Manager Experienced Resume
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Why this resume works:

This resume illustrates a successful career trajectory, showcasing adaptability and strategic thinking through revenue growth and operational improvements. Leadership roles as restaurant general manager and culinary operations manager, along with certifications (e.g., Certified Restaurant Manager), highlight the job seeker’s readiness for senior positions in the hospitality sector.

Restaurant General Manager Resume Template (Text)

Use this customizable resume template for a restaurant general manager resume to copy, edit, and personalize directly in your document.

Hiro Brown

Louisville, KY 40209

Professional Summary

Experienced Restaurant General Manager skilled in leadership, cost optimization, and customer satisfaction. Proven track record in enhancing operational efficiency and boosting sales through innovative strategies.

\Work Experience

May 2024 – July 2026

Gourmet Haven – Louisville, KY

Restaurant General Manager

  • Exceeded quarterly sales targets by 15%
  • Led team of 50+ staff members efficiently
  • Implemented cost-saving measures, reducing overhead by 10%

September 2021 – April 2024

The Urban Fork – Louisville, KY

Assistant Restaurant Manager

  • Boosted customer satisfaction rates by 20%
  • Trained new staff, enhancing team performance
  • Managed daily operations for peak efficiency

September 2018 – August 2021

Harborview Bistro – Louisville, KY

Shift Supervisor

  • Supervised shifts, ensuring smooth operations
  • Enhanced inventory turnover by 5%
  • Developed new customer service initiatives

Education

May 2018
University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA
Master’s Degree Hospitality Management

May 2016
California State University Long Beach, CA
Bachelor’s Degree Business Administration

Certifications

  • Certified Restaurant Manager – National Restaurant Association
  • Food Safety Manager Certification – ServSafe
  • Hospitality Management Certification – American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute

Skills

  • Leadership
  • Customer service
  • Inventory management
  • Team training
  • Sales performance
  • Cost optimization
  • Staff supervision
  • Operational efficiency

How to Write a Restaurant General Manager Resume

As a restaurant general manager, showcasing your leadership skills, operational experience, and an organized format that highlights your qualifications is essential to crafting an effective resume. Use the guidance below to learn how to emphasize your strengths and tailor your resume for the positions you’re aiming for.

1. Contact Info

Your contact information should be clear, professional, and easy to find at the top of your resume.

Make sure to include:

  • Full name
  • Phone number
  • Professional email address
  • City and state (ZIP code is optional)
  • LinkedIn profile or personal portfolio (if relevant)
TipPRO TIP

Skip sharing personal information like your age, Social Security number, or religious beliefs on your resume unless an employer directly requests it.

2. Resume Profile

A resume profile is a concise overview (two to four sentences) that highlights your key qualifications and career goals. This section acts as a compelling pitch to hiring managers, capturing their interest and prompting them to explore the rest of your resume.

Typically located at the top of your resume, the profile can take the form of either a summary or an objective. Each serves distinct purposes in showcasing your strengths and aspirations:

  • A resume summary showcases your most relevant experience, skills, and achievements related to the hospitality industry. This format is particularly beneficial for applicants with prior roles or transferable skills who wish to highlight their contributions in a restaurant general manager position.
  • A resume objective highlights your future aspirations and outlines what you aim to achieve in your career. It’s particularly beneficial for recent graduates, professionals pivoting careers, or those with limited experience, such as culinary school graduates entering restaurant management.

Let’s take a look at an example of each to see how a resume summary and a resume objective differ:

Restaurant general manager resume summary example:

Dynamic restaurant general manager with 6+ years of experience in high-volume dining establishments, specializing in team leadership, inventory management, and customer satisfaction. Proven track record of improving operational efficiency and fostering a positive dining atmosphere. Recognized for driving revenue growth and maintaining exceptional service standards.

Restaurant general manager resume objective example:

Recent graduate with a degree in hospitality management eager to launch a career as a restaurant general manager in a dynamic dining environment. Committed to delivering exceptional customer experiences and bringing strong leadership and organizational skills to a fast-paced restaurant or hospitality group.

3. Work Experience

The work experience on your resume is an important element for showcasing your expertise. Employers assess your job history to understand not only where you’ve worked but also the significant contributions you’ve made to previous establishments.

Your background in managing restaurant operations highlights how you’re well-equipped for the general manager role, demonstrating leadership and operational efficiency.

The work experience section should contain:

  • Job title
  • Employer name and location
  • Dates of employment (month/year)
  • 3–5 bullet points describing your relevant responsibilities and achievements

Tailor your content to highlight experiences relevant to the restaurant general manager role you seek. Start each bullet point with an action verb (like “Directed,” “Oversaw,” “Improved”) to create powerful statements that showcase your leadership.

Incorporate quantifiable metrics whenever possible. Specific numbers, such as sales growth percentages or customer satisfaction scores, illustrate your contributions and help distinguish you from other job seekers in the competitive job market.

In general, consider following the format of:

[action verb] + [responsibility] = [result/achievement]

For example:

Managed daily operations of a high-volume restaurant serving 500+ guests, achieving a 95% customer satisfaction rating through effective team leadership and service training.

Note that you can also flip the result/achievement with the responsibility:

Increased overall sales by 20% within one year by implementing targeted marketing strategies and optimizing menu offerings.

Explore more work experience examples for restaurant general managers further down the page.

4. Skills

This skills section provides a concise overview of professional abilities relevant to the restaurant general manager role. It aids hiring managers in quickly evaluating qualifications and fit for the position.

Skills can be categorized into three distinct groups:

  • Soft skills are interpersonal abilities that influence how well restaurant general managers collaborate with their teams. Skills such as communication, leadership, problem-solving, and adaptability are important for fostering positive relationships and ensuring a harmonious work environment in the fast-paced food service industry.
  • Hard skills are specific, quantifiable abilities gained through education, training, or experience. For a restaurant general manager, examples include inventory management, staff scheduling, and financial reporting.
  • Technical skills are the practical abilities required to operate specific tools and systems. In restaurant management, this includes skill with point-of-sale (POS) systems, inventory management software, and scheduling applications.

In general, aim to include a diverse range of relevant skills that align with the job description to showcase your comprehensive capabilities. See below for more skills examples for a restaurant general manager resume.

TipPRO TIP

If you’re a newer restaurant general manager, consider placing your skills section right after your summary for better visibility. If you have more experience, it’s best to position this section lower and incorporate your skills within your work history to showcase them in context.

5. Education

Understanding how to list education on your resume is important for making a strong impression. Begin by listing your most recent or relevant degree, ensuring you include the degree type and the school name.

If you’re a recent graduate, add your graduation year, GPA if it’s 3.5 or higher, any honors received, and relevant coursework to improve your profile.

Restaurant general manager resume education section example:

Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management
Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
Graduated: 2024 | Summa Cum Laude

TipPRO TIP

If you’re progressing from an Associate Degree in Hospitality Management to a Bachelor of Science in Restaurant Management, or have earned another relevant degree, list both in reverse-chronological order.

6. Certifications

Listing certifications on your resume helps show your dedication to the profession, especially if your experience is limited. Although this section isn’t always part of a traditional resume, it’s important for roles such as restaurant managers. Employers often prioritize specific credentials like food safety certification or management training, particularly in busy establishments.

It’s important to focus on relevant certifications that improve your qualifications. Ensuring they are up-to-date and clearly presented will strengthen your professional image and help employers quickly identify your skills.

Restaurant general manager certification examples:

  • ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification | National Restaurant Association | Expires: 01/2028
  • Certified Restaurant Manager (CRM) | American Culinary Federation | Expires: 11/2027
  • Hospitality Management Certification | Cornell University | Expires: 06/2027
  • Wine and Beverage Management Certification | The Court of Master Sommeliers | Expires: 04/2028

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Tailor Your Work History to Beat the ATS

Your work experience is more than a list of job titles. It’s a chance to demonstrate the measurable impact you’ve had on restaurant operations, team performance, and customer satisfaction. This approach also results in an ATS-friendly resume that applicant tracking systems (ATS) can easily scan.

To build an effective work history, tailor it to the specific restaurant management position you’re targeting by using relevant keywords. Start by analyzing the job description carefully. Identify frequently mentioned skills, management practices, or customer engagement strategies and reflect those elements in your experience descriptions whenever possible.

These examples are pulled from our most-used entries in the resume builder—based on what hiring managers respond to most.

  • Increased restaurant revenue by 20% year-over-year through targeted marketing strategies and improved customer engagement.
  • Managed a team of 30+ staff, improving employee retention rates by 15% through effective training and mentorship programs.
  • Optimized inventory management processes, reducing food waste by 25% and lowering costs significantly.
  • Implemented a new point-of-sale system that improved order accuracy and reduced transaction times by 30%.
  • Collaborated with culinary teams to develop seasonal menus, boosting customer satisfaction scores by 12%.

Example of Skills for Restaurant General Managers

Including the skills for your resume demonstrates to employers and ATS that you possess the necessary abilities to thrive as a restaurant general manager. Since hiring managers often scan resumes quickly, focus on relevant skills that align with the job description to make an immediate impact.

The following skills reflect those currently valued in the restaurant management field. They are commonly found in successful resumes and resonate well with hiring managers looking for qualified applicants.

5 Soft Skills for Your Resume or CV

  • Team leadership
  • Conflict resolution
  • Customer service excellence
  • Strategic planning
  • Collaboration

5 Hard Skills for Your Resume or CV

  • Inventory management
  • Staff training and development
  • Financial reporting (QuickBooks, Excel)
  • Food safety compliance (ServSafe)
  • Customer relationship management (CRM software)

Key Takeaways

  • Tailor your resume to the job description. Use specific terminology from the posting to resonate with both ATS and hiring managers.
  • Highlight quantifiable successes that demonstrate your impact (e.g., revenue growth percentages, customer satisfaction ratings, team leadership milestones) to differentiate yourself.
  • Select a format that aligns with your experience level. New managers might opt for a functional layout, while seasoned professionals often choose reverse-chronological formats.

More Resume & CV Examples

Frequently Asked Questions

Last Update:

What resume format should I use for my restaurant general manager resume?

There are three main resume formats to consider when applying for a restaurant general manager position. Your choice should reflect your experience level and highlight the skills you wish to showcase:

  • Chronological: The most popular format, a chronological resume emphasizes your work experience by detailing responsibilities and achievements in reverse order. This approach is ideal for applicants with a consistent job history in restaurant management that reinforces their qualifications and showcases their growth in the industry.
  • Functional: Also known as a skills-based resume, the functional format emphasizes a summary of qualifications and an expanded skills section to highlight your relevant abilities. This approach minimizes focus on work history, making it particularly useful for applicants without significant experience in the restaurant industry or those with employment gaps.
  • Combination: A combination resume integrates elements from chronological and functional formats, emphasizing both skills and work experience. This approach benefits restaurant general managers by showcasing their operational expertise alongside career progression, making it suitable for those advancing within the industry or transitioning to new roles.
Should I include a cover letter with my resume?

Yes, you should include a cover letter with your restaurant general manager application. A well-crafted cover letter complements your resume by letting you express your enthusiasm for the role and highlight specific experiences that showcase your leadership skills in the restaurant industry. It shows hiring managers that you’re invested in the opportunity and have tailored your application to their needs.

If you’re feeling uncertain about how to write a cover letter, there are numerous resources at your disposal. Look for guides on writing effective cover letters, explore sample letters from other restaurant professionals, or check out various formats that can help structure your thoughts clearly. These tools can make the process much easier and more straightforward.

For those looking to simplify their job application process, using a cover letter generator can be beneficial. This tool provides you with templates and prompts designed specifically for the restaurant management field, helping you create a polished cover letter in no time.

How long should a restaurant general manager resume be?

When crafting a resume, professionals with less than 10 years of experience should aim for a one-page document. This concise approach allows you to highlight relevant skills, education, and accomplishments without unnecessary details. Focus on clarity to ensure hiring managers quickly grasp your qualifications.

For individuals in senior or specialized roles, a two-page resume can be appropriate if the content remains focused on relevant information. Use this space to elaborate on leadership experiences, unique skill sets, and significant achievements that set you apart in your field.

What keywords should I include to pass applicant tracking systems (ATS)?

To boost your resume for an ATS screening as a restaurant general manager, integrate keywords from the job posting like “inventory management,” “staff training,” and “customer service excellence.” Highlight your skill with tools such as POS systems or scheduling software to showcase your technical skills. Include relevant certifications like ServSafe Manager or Food Protection Manager certifications, emphasizing your expertise in food safety and handling.

By directly incorporating these terms and qualifications, you increase the likelihood that your resume will catch the hiring manager’s attention and secure an interview.

Elizabeth Muenzen profile image
Elizabeth Muenzen Career Advice Writer

Elizabeth Muenzen is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and member of the Professional Association of Resume Writers & Career Coaches who empowers job seekers to take control of their career paths using Monster’s comprehensive job search and resume tools.

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