Best Restaurant General Manager Resume Examples for 2025 (Template & Guide)

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Restaurant General Manager Resume: Choose a Format

Your resume format matters. The right format will showcase your qualifications in a way that hiring managers can quickly understand while emphasizing your strengths, experience, key accomplishments and relevant skills.

There are three formats to consider for your restaurant general manager resume: chronological, functional or combination. The right choice depends on your experience and the skills you bring to the table.

Chronological resumes for restaurant general managers

A chronological resume emphasizes your work history by listing your previous jobs and details your responsibilities and achievements in each role. It’s ideal for restaurant general managers with a consistent work history in restaurants or hospitality management because it showcases your career progression.

A chronological format is also highly compatible with applicant tracking systems (ATS) that employers use to pre-screen resumes, which improves your chances of being noticed. However, consider a different format if you lack relevant experience or are transitioning from another industry.

Functional resumes for restaurant general managers

A functional resume focuses on skills instead of specific job titles, making it a great option for those with less traditional career paths or gaps in employment. A functional format lets you emphasize skills like staff training or customer service without tying them to a specific job title or timeline.

However, some hiring managers prefer a detailed work history. This format is also incompatible with most ATS, which could hurt your chances of getting through the initial screening process.

Combination resumes for restaurant general managers

A combination resume blends parts of a chronological and functional format. It showcases your skills first, followed by a detailed work history. This format works well for restaurant general managers with relevant experience, who want to highlight specific accomplishments.

A combination format is versatile and ATS-friendly. However, it can be tricky to organize, which may cause your resume to be longer than ideal. A resume for a restaurant manager should be one or two pages at most. Focus on the most relevant information when choosing this format.

Choosing a resume format

Choosing a resume format is the first step in landing your next general manager job. When in doubt, a chronological resume is always a safe choice. It is ATS-friendly, highlights your steady work experience, showcases your accomplishments and demonstrates your readiness to take on a leadership role in restaurant operations.

Even if you haven’t worked as a general manager at a restaurant before, you can still make a chronological format work for you. The key is to focus on transferable skills and experiences. Think about jobs where you’ve led a team, managed resources or handled responsibilities like scheduling or customer service. For example, if you’ve worked as an assistant manager or server, emphasize how those roles required leadership, problem-solving and communication skills.

Finally, tailor your descriptions to the job you’re applying for. If the restaurant is looking for someone who excels in cost control, highlight any experience managing budgets or cutting expenses. A chronological resume doesn’t just list what you’ve done — it tells the story of why you’re ready for the job.

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How to Write a Restaurant General Manager Resume

Once you have chosen a format, writing a restaurant general manager resume is pretty straightforward. This resume writing guide will walk you through each step. Start by creating a resume outline of these five essential sections:

• Contact Information
• Summary or Objective
• Work History
• Skills
• Education

Every part of your resume plays a crucial role in making you stand out to potential employers. We’ll show you how to make the most of each section and suggest some optional sections to help you stand out as a candidate.

Contact information

Your contact information ensures recruiters know how to reach you. Place this section at the top of your resume in an easy-to-read font. Include your full name, city and state where you live, phone number, email address and, optionally, your LinkedIn profile.

Your contact information should look something like this:

Amanda Smith
San Antonio, TX
(555) 555-5555
amandasmith@email.com
linkedin.com/in/amandasmith22

Remember to double-check for typos! After all, even a tiny error could prevent employers from being able to reach you for an interview.

Summary or objective

Under your contact information, you will write a brief introduction that shows hiring managers why you are the right fit for the restaurant general manager role. You can choose either a resume summary or an objective statement to make a strong first impression.

If you have years of experience in the culinary industry, a resume summary is your best option. It highlights your most impressive achievements, key skills and career growth. For example, a resume summary for a restaurant general manager might say:

Experienced restaurant general manager with over 10 years of leadership in fine dining and casual dining establishments. Proven ability to lead teams, optimize budgets and enhance customer satisfaction. Achieved a 15% increase in annual revenue through strategic planning.

On the other hand, if you’re just starting your career or transitioning into restaurant management, an objective statement is a better choice. It emphasizes your goals and how your background prepares you to succeed in the role. For example, an objective statement for an aspiring restaurant general manager’s resume might say:

Ambitious professional with a hospitality background seeking a restaurant general manager role. Passionate about delivering exceptional guest experiences, leading high-performing teams and streamlining operations to achieve business goals.

Whether you choose a summary or an objective, tailor this section to each job application using keywords from the job posting to help your resume stand out to the ATS and hiring managers.

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Work history

The work history section of your restaurant general manager resume is where you showcase your professional journey and demonstrate your readiness to take on the role. To get started, list your previous jobs chronologically, beginning with the most recent position and working backward.

For each job entry, include your job title, employer’s name and location, and your dates of employment. Then, beneath each job entry, write three to five bulleted sentences describing your responsibilities and accomplishments in each position.

Start each bullet with a strong action verb to convey your initiative and ability to get results. Dynamic words like “led,” “streamlined,” “increased,” or “implemented ” will grab the reader’s attention.

Also, include numbers to show your impact as a manager whenever possible. For example, instead of saying, “Managed a team,” write, “Led a team of 20 employees to achieve a 10% increase in efficiency.”

Don’t just list what you did — explain why it mattered. For example, “Implemented a new inventory system that reduced food waste by 15%” gives a clearer picture of your contributions.

Here’s an example of a work history entry for a restaurant general manager resume:

General Manager
The Gourmet Bistro, Denver, CO
March 2015 – Present

• Oversaw daily operations of a 100-seat fine dining restaurant, ensuring seamless service and guest satisfaction.
• Implemented a new scheduling system that reduced overtime costs by 20% and improved employee retention.
• Increased customer satisfaction scores by 15% by initiating staff training programs focused on hospitality and service excellence.

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Skills

Including a dedicated skills section in your restaurant general manager resume is essential for showcasing your hard and soft skills. Hard skills are the technical abilities that demonstrate your ability to run a restaurant, such as budgeting or scheduling. On the other hand, soft skills like communication and time management highlight how you interact with others.

Including both on your resume gives employers a complete picture of your capabilities as a well-rounded leader. To help you get started, we have compiled a list of the top skills for a restaurant general manager:

Top 5 hard skills for restaurant general managers

1. Inventory management: Effective inventory management reduces food waste, controls costs and ensures that ingredients are always available to meet menu demands.
2. Budgeting: A general manager must track expenses, plan for seasonal changes and ensure the restaurant meets its financial goals.
3. Staff training: Restaurants thrive on well-trained employees. From onboarding new hires to ongoing development, training ensures your team delivers exceptional service and operates efficiently.
4. Scheduling: General managers must create schedules that align with peak hours, staff availability and labor laws.
5. Point-of-sale (POS) systems: Proficiency with POS systems allows you to streamline transactions, track sales, and generate reports.

Top 5 soft skills for restaurant general managers

1. Leadership: As a restaurant general manager, you inspire and motivate your team to achieve their best. Effective leadership ensures a cohesive, goal-oriented workforce.
2. Communication: Clear communication is essential for delegating tasks, resolving conflicts and maintaining relationships with staff, customers and suppliers.
3. Problem-solving: Quick and effective problem-solving keeps operations running smoothly, whether resolving a staff issue or handling a dissatisfied customer.
4. Adaptability: From unexpected staff shortages to changes in customer preferences, adaptability ensures you can pivot quickly and effectively in any situation.
5. Customer service: Exceptional customer service is the heart of any successful restaurant. Ensuring a positive guest experience builds loyalty and drives repeat business.

The skills section for a restaurant general manager’s resume should look something like this:

Skills

• Inventory Management
• Budgeting
• Staff Training
• Leadership
• Customer Service
• Point-of-Sales Systems

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Education

Next, you will provide your educational background. Whether you have a degree in hospitality management or another related field, this information helps hiring managers determine whether you meet the job requirements.

Simply list the highest degree earned, followed by the name and location of the institution. You can format your education section like this:

Education
Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management
University of Denver, Denver, CO

You can also list relevant coursework, training or certifications in this section. However, creating a separately labeled section may make more of an impression.

Additional sections

Additional sections can take your resume to the next level by highlighting unique qualifications and experiences that make you a standout candidate. Some additional sections to consider for a restaurant general manager resume are:

• Certifications
• Languages
• Volunteer Experience
• Awards

These optional sections allow you to showcase skills and achievements that might not fit neatly into other parts of your resume but still add significant value.

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Top certifications for restaurant general managers

Certifications can elevate your restaurant general manager resume by showcasing your specialized knowledge and commitment to professional development.

1. ServSafe Manager Certification: This certification proves food safety and sanitation expertise, making it a must-have for restaurant professionals.
2. Certified Food and Beverage Executive (CFBE): This certification demonstrates advanced leadership skills, operational expertise and a deep understanding of food and beverage service.
3. Certified Restaurant Manager (CRM): This certification validates your in-depth knowledge of restaurant operations, including financial management, customer service and staff supervision.
4. CPR and First Aid Certification: This certification shows your commitment to safety and preparedness in emergencies. Whether dealing with a medical incident involving a guest or a team member, it positions you as a responsible and proactive leader.
5. Hospitality Management Certificate: This formal training in essential areas like customer service, marketing and business operations demonstrates your dedication to excelling in the restaurant industry.

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10 Tips for Writing a Restaurant General Manager Resume

1. Tailor your resume to each job application. Carefully read the job description and customize your resume to highlight the qualifications and skills the employer seeks. For example, if the restaurant emphasizes customer satisfaction, include metrics like customer satisfaction scores you improved in a previous role.
2. Use action verbs to describe your achievements. Start each bullet point with strong, descriptive verbs like “led,” “implemented” or “improved.” For instance, instead of saying “Managed staff,” write “Led a team of 25 staff members to achieve a 15% increase in customer satisfaction.”
3. Quantify your accomplishments. Numbers make your achievements more concrete and impressive. Include those figures if you increased revenue, reduced costs, or boosted efficiency. For example, “Reduced food waste by 20% through inventory optimization, saving $5,000 annually.”
4. Highlight leadership and team management experience. As the general manager of a restaurant, leading a team is one of your primary responsibilities. Showcase how you’ve built high-performing teams, improved employee retention or created effective training programs. For example, “Developed a staff training program that improved onboarding efficiency by 30%.”
5. Emphasize customer service achievements. Include examples of how you’ve enhanced the guest experience, such as resolving customer complaints, introducing loyalty programs or improving service times. For instance, “Implemented a customer feedback system that increased positive reviews by 25%.”
6. Include relevant certifications. Certifications like ServSafe Manager or Certified Restaurant Manager can strengthen your resume. In your additional sections, mention how they’ve prepared you to manage operations or maintain safety standards.
7. Showcase budgeting and financial management skills. Managing a restaurant’s finances is critical. Detail your experience with budget planning, cost control, or increasing profitability. For example, “Streamlined purchasing processes, reducing food costs by 10% while maintaining quality.”
8. Demonstrate adaptability and problem-solving abilities. Restaurants are dynamic environments, so share examples of how you handled unexpected challenges. For instance, “Successfully reorganized staffing during a sudden team shortage, maintaining service quality during peak hours.”
9. Focus on technical skills. Mention proficiency with point-of-sale (POS) systems, scheduling software, or inventory management tools. For example, “Optimized operations using Toast POS, improving transaction efficiency by 15%.”
10. Proofread your resume carefully. Attention to detail is critical in a restaurant management role. Review your resume for errors, awkward phrasing or inconsistencies. Ask a trusted friend or colleague to look at it before submitting it.