Why this resume works
- Quantifies accomplishments: By including metrics like a 20% revenue increase, the applicant’s achievements prove their business impact and value.
- Showcases career progression: Starting as a supervisor and advancing to general manager roles illustrates significant career progression and increasing responsibility in the restaurant industry.
- Highlights industry-specific skills: Administrative skills such as culinary management and food safety compliance show expertise in hospitality.
More Culinary Resume Examples
Use these culinary resume samples to build a compelling resume that highlights your experience in the hospitality industry.
Food Service Director
Why this resume works
- Centers on academic background: The applicant’s education section spotlights a Master’s in culinary management, showing a strong foundation for a food service director role.
- Effective use of keywords: Integrating keywords like “vendor relations” and “menu development” helps the resume pass applicant tracking systems (ATS) effortlessly.
- Puts skills at the forefront: Highlighting skills such as cost management and team leadership at the top exemplifies a strategic skills-based resume format approach.
Hospitality Director
Why this resume works
- Points to measurable outcomes: Citing achievements like a 28% improvement in guest services ratings reveals the applicant’s impact-driven approach and ability to deliver tangible results.
- Demonstrates language abilities: The applicant’s language skills improve cross-cultural communication with team members, vendors and customers.
- Displays technical expertise: Showcasing hospitality software proficiency with a certification from the American Hotel & Lodging Association highlights technical prowess essential for efficiency in hospitality management.
Pizza Chef
Why this resume works
- Showcases impressive accomplishments: By achieving a 95% in customer satisfaction and implementing new topping combinations that increased sales, the applicant’s accomplishments reflect significant business impact.
- Focuses on work history: Using a chronological resume format, the applicant effectively showcases a strong career trajectory and extensive experience through progressive roles in culinary settings.
- Emphasizes leadership skills: Taking charge to train junior chefs and lead menu development projects shows the applicant’s leadership skills within dynamic kitchen environments.
Restaurant General Manager Resume Template (Text Version)
Min Nguyen
Maplewood, NJ 07044
(555)555-5555
Min.Nguyen@example.com
Professional Summary
Dynamic restaurant GM with nine years at thriving eateries. Proven revenue growth, team leadership, and customer satisfaction expertise in hospitality.
Work History
Restaurant General Manager
The Golden Table – Maplewood, NJ
January 2023 – July 2025
- Increased revenue by 20% in first year.
- Implemented a loyalty program boosting repeat customers.
- Enhanced menu offerings, boosting food sales by 15%.
Assistant Restaurant Manager
Maple Leaf Dining – Newark, NJ
January 2019 – December 2022
- Optimized staff scheduling, saving 10% in labor costs.
- Led a team to achieve a 95% customer satisfaction rate.
- Reduced food waste by 18% through improved inventory.
Restaurant Operations Supervisor
Harborview Bistro – Newark, NJ
January 2016 – December 2018
- Streamlined operations, decreasing wait time by 30%.
- Managed vendor relationships, reducing costs by 12%.
- Trained 50+ staff members, improving service standards.
Skills
- Leadership in Hospitality
- P&L Management
- Customer Relationship Management
- Inventory Management
- Team Development
- Culinary Management
- Marketing Strategies
- Food Safety Compliance
Education
Master of Business Administration Hospitality Management
University of California, Berkeley Berkeley, California
June 2016
Bachelor of Science Business Administration
San Francisco State University San Francisco, California
June 2014
Certifications
- Certified Food Manager – National Restaurant Association
- Hospitality Management Certification – American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute
Languages
- Spanish – Beginner (A1)
- French – Beginner (A1)
- Mandarin – Beginner (A1)
Related Resume Guides
Advice for Writing Your Restaurant General Manager Resume
Dive into our guide on how to write a resume for a restaurant general manager role and discover how to highlight your leadership skills, passion for hospitality, and knack for driving business success.
Write a strong professional summary
A professional summary serves as an introduction to hiring managers, helping them quickly understand your qualifications.
A professional summary is typically three to four sentences long and highlights your experience, skills, and achievements. It is best for experienced applicants who want to show their professional identity and value instantly. This section tells employers what you’ve accomplished in your career so far.
On the other hand, resume objectives focus on career goals and are ideal for entry-level candidates, career changers, or those with job gaps. They differ from summaries by focusing on what you aim to contribute rather than past achievements—essentially “what I’ve accomplished” vs. “what I aim to contribute.”
Take a look at these examples of both summaries and objectives tailored for various experience levels to help guide you through writing each type effectively.
Restaurant general manager resume summary examples
Entry-level
Recent graduate with a Bachelor of Science in hospitality management and a certification in food safety. Completed internships in high-volume restaurants, gaining foundational skills in team coordination, customer service, and inventory management. Eager to bring strong organizational abilities and a passion for the restaurant industry to a general manager role.
Mid-career
Restaurant manager with over seven years of experience in managing fast-paced dining establishments. Expertise in staff training, cost control, and improving guest experiences. Achieved a 20% increase in customer satisfaction scores at previous position through strategic improvements and staff development initiatives. Holds ServSafe Manager Certification and excels at driving sales growth.
Experienced
Accomplished restaurant general manager with 15+ years of leadership experience across diverse culinary environments. Proven track record of increasing profitability by optimizing operations and implementing innovative marketing strategies. Skilled at leading large teams, fostering positive workplace culture, and ensuring compliance with health regulations. Recognized for achieving sustained revenue growth and high employee retention rates.
Restaurant general manager resume objective examples
Entry-level
Ambitious entry-level restaurant general manager with a background in hospitality management and customer service. Eager to use strong leadership and team-building skills to ensure exceptional service and operational efficiency in a fast-paced dining environment.
Career changer
Dedicated professional transitioning from retail management to restaurant general management, bringing a wealth of experience in inventory control, staff training, and customer satisfaction. Excited to leverage transferable skills to drive growth and excellence in the restaurant industry.
Recent graduate
Energetic recent graduate with a degree in business administration focused on hospitality management seeking an opportunity as a restaurant general manager. Passionate about applying academic knowledge and internship experience to improve guest experiences and streamline operations within a respected establishment.
Easily create a standout resume with our Resume Builder. Choose a template and add your details to get noticed fast!
Include relevant certifications and training
Listing certifications and training on your resume shows you have the skills needed to run a restaurant well. Certifications prove you’ve learned specific things that help in managing staff, finances, and customer service. This can make you stand out to employers who want someone capable of handling the challenges of running a busy restaurant.
- ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification
- Certified Restaurant Manager (CRM)
- Food Safety Management Certification
- Hospitality and Tourism Management Program (HTMP) Certification
- Alcohol Awareness Training
Having these certifications show you’re prepared to handle food safety, manage staff effectively, and ensure great customer service. Employers look for these credentials because they mean you can run their restaurant smoothly.
Example of a certifications section
Food Protection Manager Certification
Issued by: National Restaurant Association
Expires 2025
Certified Restaurant Manager (CRM)
Issued by: American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute
Issued 2022
ServSafe Alcohol Advanced Certification
Issued by: ServSafe
Expires 2026
CPFM – Certified Professional Food Manager
Issued by: Prometric
Issued 2021
Hospitality and Tourism Management Certification
Issued by: American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute
Expires 2026
Take a look at professional resume examples from other restaurant general managers to see how they highlight their leadership and culinary management skills.
Showcase your work experience
Your work experience helps employers see how your past roles make you the right fit for their team. Always list your jobs in reverse order, starting with the most recent. Each entry should include your job title, the employer’s name, location, and dates of employment.
Use clear and action-oriented language to describe what you did in each role. Instead of saying “responsible for managing staff,” say “led a team of 20 employees to improve service efficiency.” Whenever possible, use numbers to show results.
For example, mention if you increased customer satisfaction by a certain percentage or reduced costs by a set amount. These details help show that you made real contributions in your previous roles.
As a restaurant general manager, highlight core responsibilities like managing daily operations, leading staff training sessions, controlling inventory, overseeing financial performance, and ensuring excellent customer service.
Focus on times you’ve solved problems or improved processes because these stories paint a picture of your skills in action. By detailing these experiences clearly and effectively, you’ll make it easy for potential employers to see why you’re the best choice for their restaurant management position.
5 restaurant general manager work history bullet points
- Implemented innovative staff training programs, increasing employee retention by 20% over two years.
- Streamlined inventory management processes, reducing food costs by 15% annually while maintaining quality standards.
- Led a team of 50+ employees to achieve a 10% increase in customer satisfaction scores through improved service strategies.
- Executed marketing initiatives that boosted restaurant revenue by 25% within six months.
- Optimized scheduling and labor costs, achieving a 12% reduction in overtime expenses without compromising service quality.
Highlight your leadership—choose a resume format that clearly and logically showcases your management skills, customer service excellence, and team-building expertise.
Match your resume with the job description
Customizing resumes to job descriptions is key for job seekers aiming to stand out to employers and pass ATS. ATS scans for specific keywords and phrases from job postings, ensuring only the most relevant candidates make it through.
An ATS-friendly resume features these essential keywords and phrases from the job description. By weaving in these terms, you align your skills with what hiring managers seek, boosting your chances of getting noticed.
To pinpoint keywords, examine the job posting closely for repeated skills, qualifications, and duties. For example, if a restaurant general manager position mentions ‘customer service,’ ‘staff management,’ or ‘inventory control’ multiple times, those are key terms to include in your resume.
Integrate these terms naturally into your content by rewriting job descriptions. For instance, rather than saying ‘Handled staff schedules,’ you could say ‘Managed staff schedules to ensure smooth daily operations.’
Targeted resumes improve ATS compatibility by matching the language used in job postings. This boosts the likelihood of passing initial screenings and getting closer to securing an interview. Remember to customize your resume specifically for each position you apply for to improve your chances even further.
Ensure your resume passes through applicant tracking systems! Our ATS Resume Checker spots common mistakes and gives advice to make your resume better.
FAQ
Do I need to include a cover letter with my restaurant general manager resume?
Yes, including a cover letter with your restaurant general manager resume can make a strong impression and boost your chances of landing the job.
A cover letter gives you an opportunity to explain why you’re passionate about leading restaurant operations and how your experience aligns with the specific needs of the establishment.
You might consider using a Cover Letter Generator for help crafting a compelling message.
For instance, if the restaurant is known for its focus on guest experience or culinary innovation, you can highlight achievements that demonstrate your ability to drive success in those areas.
Looking at cover letter examples can give you ideas on how to best present these achievements.
Finally, a personalized cover letter shows enthusiasm and effort—qualities employers value in candidates for leadership roles like general manager.
How long should a restaurant general manager’s resume be?
For a restaurant general manager, a one-page resume is usually enough to showcase your most relevant skills and experiences, like leadership in managing staff, improving customer satisfaction, and driving profitability.
If you have significant experience or unique accomplishments, a two-page resume works too—just make sure every detail counts.
Be clear but thorough when detailing recent roles, focusing on strategic planning, team management, and operational efficiency. For more advice, check out our guide on how long a resume should be.
How do you write a restaurant general manager resume with no experience?
Even if you lack direct experience, your restaurant general manager resume can feature relevant skills, education, and leadership roles you’ve had.
Learn how to create a compelling resume with no experience with these tips:
- Emphasize transferable skills: Highlight skills like leadership, customer service, or budgeting from previous jobs or volunteer work. Skills gained in retail or hospitality roles are particularly useful.
- Spotlight educational achievements: If you studied hospitality management or a related field, list your degree and any honors or key projects that align with restaurant management responsibilities.
- Include relevant experiences: Mention internships, part-time jobs, or volunteer positions where you oversaw events or managed teams. Describe specific tasks like coordinating staff schedules or handling customer complaints.
- Showcase industry knowledge: If you’ve completed courses in food safety or obtained certifications such as ServSafe Manager Certification, include these to show your commitment to the industry.
Tailor each section of your resume to reflect the qualities needed for a restaurant general manager role and consider using a functional format to prioritize skills over chronological job history.
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Restaurant General Manager
Elizabeth is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and a member of the Professional Association of Resume Writers & Career Coaches. She is committed to helping job seekers navigate the job market and succeed in their careers.
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