Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Training and Teaching Others Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
• Monitoring and Controlling Resources Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

The Work

As a restaurant manager, your duty is to oversee the restaurant with the goal to maximise sales and keeping customers happy.

Tasks you may do on a daily basis include opening and closing the restaurant, managing budgets and co-ordinating kitchen and waiting staff. This all has to be done in a fast-paced environment.

You may also work with the head chef to write up the menus, negotiate with suppliers, purchase stock and ensure that the restaurant reaches sales targets.

A restaurant manager is typically also in charge of recruiting new staff and training existing staff to obtain the highest standards of service and customer care.

It is the responsibility of the restaurant manager to ensure that all staff comply with laws relating to licensing and health and safety, and that staff members are well presented before each service.

Every member of staff who deals with customers’ 'personal data', such as names and addresses, or who process payment card transactions, need to have some knowledge of the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR). It is the responsibility of the employer to give job-specific information on GDPR in their organisation. You can read more about data protection in the workplace here.  

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Keep records required by government agencies regarding sanitation or food subsidies.
• Investigate and resolve complaints regarding food quality, service, or accommodations.
• Maintain food and equipment inventories, and keep inventory records.
• Monitor food preparation methods, portion sises, and garnishing and presentation of food to ensure that food is prepared and presented in an acceptable manner.
• Schedule and receive food and beverage deliveries, checking delivery contents to verify product quality and quantity.
• Coordinate assignments of cooking personnel to ensure economical use of food and timely preparation.
• Monitor compliance with health and fire regulations regarding food preparation and serving, and building maintenance in lodging and dining facilities.
• Count money and make bank deposits.
• Establish standards for personnel performance and customer service.
• Perform some food preparation or service tasks, such as cooking, clearing tables, and serving food and drinks when necessary.

Further Information

• Restaurant (Food and Beverage) Manager - from: Get a Life in Tourism

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

Naturalist

Not surprisingly, some aspect of the natural sciences will run through the Naturalist's interests - from ecological awareness to nutrition and health. People with an interest in horticulture, land usage and farming (including fish) are Naturalists.

Some Naturalists focus on animals rather than plants, and may enjoy working with, training, caring for, or simply herding them. Other Naturalists will prefer working with the end result of nature's produce - the food produced from plants and animals. Naturalists like solving problems with solutions that show some sensitivity to the environmental impact of what they do. They like to see practical results and prefer action to talking and discussing.

You will need quite a lot of relevant work experience to be considered for a Restaurant Manager position. Although an academic qualification can boost your chances of getting the job, pathways of learning while you learn may be explored also.

Typically, restaurant supervisors have experience from working in restaurants at lower levels. As you work your way up, you may be asked to study for appropriate qualifications.

There are courses in Hospitality, Bar and Restaurant Management in both further and higher education, where you can expect to study modules in Restaurant Service, Culinary Skills, Tourism and Food and Beverage management.

Some of the advantages of ‘working your way up’ is that you get great insight into different roles within the hospitality sector, you learn on the way, and you discover what you enjoy and don’t enjoy working with. You also have a better understanding of the staff that you supervise if you have worked in those roles yourself.

Training & Development

FET Centre Traineeship: Business, Hospitality, and Culinary customer service NFQ level 5 Search our FET Coursefinder

FET PLC Courses: Hospitality, Travel & Tourism, Business management, Culinary Arts NFQ Level 5-6 Search our FET PLC Coursefinder

Apprenticeship: Sales & Culinary Arts, Bar Management along with Hospitality & Tourism sector Apprenticeships NFQ level 6-9 Search Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO Entry: Hospitality management, Travel & Tourism, Culinary Arts, Business & Customer care Search our CAO coursefinder

Professional Development 

Postgraduate Study Options Full & Part time hospitality & managment Courses NFQ level 9

Some large restaurant chains offer structured training programmes for staff, and others may recommend specific courses. Professional organisations sometimes also offer training or promote training providers.

See for example: 

Restaurants Association of Ireland

Irish Hospitality Institute 

Irish hotels Federation

Last Updated: November, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €32k - €53k

salaries vary by employer, location, and duties.

Data Source(s):
Excel /Talent / Indeed

Last Updated: March, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This occupation has been identified as a Job in Demand by the most recent National Skills Bulletin.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Numbers were too small for a detailed analysis of employment for this occupation although the Recruitment Agency Survey indicated difficulty in filling vacancies for bar and events managers.

• Fáilte Ireland

  • Amiens Street, Dublin 1
  • (01) 884 7700
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Restaurant's Association of Ireland

  • 11 Bridge Court, Citygate, St Augustine Street, Dublin 8
  • 01 6779901
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here