Day in the life
A Day in the Life of a Restaurant Manager
What restaurant managers actually do from the start of a shift to the end: the tasks, tools, schedule and realities of the job.
Review yesterday’s sales and labor reports. From there, the day usually includes hire, train and schedule staff, oversee daily service and guest experience, and manage food, beverage and labor costs. Managers often work 50 or more hours a week, including nights, weekends and holidays.
Hour by hour: a typical shift
No two days are identical, but this timeline reflects a realistic day for a restaurant manager working full time.
- Review yesterday’s sales and labor reports.
- Meet the chef about inventory and specials.
- Lead the pre-shift meeting with servers.
- Work the floor during lunch, checking on tables.
- Interview two server candidates.
- Build next week’s schedule.
- Handle a guest complaint and comp a dessert.
Where restaurant managers work
Managers work in restaurants, moving between the dining room, kitchen and office. The work is fast-paced and on your feet.
Hours and schedule
Managers often work 50 or more hours a week, including nights, weekends and holidays.
Tasks you’ll do most often
- Hire, train and schedule staff
- Oversee daily service and guest experience
- Manage food, beverage and labor costs
- Order supplies and manage inventory
- Ensure health and safety compliance
- Handle guest complaints
- Track sales and financial results
Tools you’ll use every day
- POS systems such as Toast or Square
- Scheduling apps
- Inventory software
- Spreadsheets
- Reservation platforms
- Food safety logs
The best and hardest parts of the job
What people like
- Leadership without a degree
- Fast-paced, varied days
- Clear path to general and multi-unit manager
- Bonuses tied to performance
What’s hard
- Long hours and weekends
- Staffing challenges
- Pressure on costs
- Handling unhappy guests
You’ll likely thrive if…
- I like leading teams
- I enjoy fast-paced environments
- I can handle guest complaints
- I’m comfortable with numbers
- I can work nights and weekends
- I want to move up without a degree
Not sure? Take the free Restaurant Manager fit quiz or the Career Match Quiz.
Staying safe on the job
- Enforce food safety and allergen procedures
- Keep floors and walkways safe
- Follow alcohol service laws
- Train staff on emergency procedures