Bachelor's Degree in Restaurant Management

Do you have a natural ability in the kitchen? Can you whip up fabulous dishes without even breaking a sweat? Do you also have a knack for taking care of things and overseeing important tasks? If you said yes to each of these questions then you should probably consider pursuing your degree in restaurant and culinary management. Continue reading to find out all you can about this exciting career path

First things first, before you can begin your Bachelor's program you must first obtain your high school diploma. Depending upon the institution of higher learning that you decide to attend you will probably have to submit a copy of your transcript, a copy of your ACT scores, and letters of recommendation that will vouch for your abilities. Secondly, not all traditional four year colleges and universities offer a Bachelor's degree in restaurant and culinary management.

It will probably be wise for you to choose a few schools that will fit your educational goals and then check into what they offer that pertains to your ultimate career plans. Typically a degree will provide students with the coursework necessary for them to plan, supervise, and manage food preparation at a variety of locations. A few possible venues that you would be able to work within are catering services, restaurant establishments, and food service companies.

The required classes that you will need to successfully complete are related to culinary arts, executive chef functions, business administration, logistics, cost control, food industry operations, purchasing and storage, personnel management, restaurant and menu planning, health and safety regulations, laws that apply to the food industry, insurance, and event planning and management. So that you will be adequately prepared to manage an eating establishment, you must complete course work that is geared towards you learning how to manage a staff of employees, how to manage the financial end of a business, how to make effective decisions that will positively influence a business, and how to communicate efficiently with clients as well as employees.

It is important to realize that your restaurant and culinary management degree will make it possible for you to land employment in an entry level management position. Generally speaking, individuals who hold higher level management positions have slowly climbed the ladder within the company they work for by consistently demonstrating satisfactory work. Similarly, should you decide to further your level of educational degree you will also have additional employment options available to you.

While individuals in the culinary management industry do not have to complete continuing education hours to maintain their degree, many employers will recommend specific certification add-ons for their employees. For instance, if you work in a management capacity in a bakery, then your upper level manager may request that you complete certification that would train you to design and create wedding cakes. Ultimately, this career path will teach you to appreciate the attributes of food, understand how rigorous the food industry can be, and to enjoy your career and apply your passion effectively.

Core Courses in your Degree

The below courses are just some that you’ll typically take to earn your Bachelor’s Degree in Restaurant Management.

- Hospitality Management
- Food and Beverage Training
- Events and Hotel Operations
- Front Office Duties
- Restaurant Marketing
- Franchising

- Restaurant Management Careers
- Restaurant Management
- Tourism Management
- Banquet Manager

Interview with a Restaurant Manager - Q&A

How did you get started in restaurant management?
I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Hospitality and instantly took the first job being an assistant manager for a large chain restaurant. Within 4 years I was managing 3 locations as the manager.

What are the top 3 responsibilities you have?
My top responsibility is the profitability of the restaurants that I manage. I do all of the hiring personally to ensure we have a good staff. Another one of my main responsibilities is customer service. In the chain that I work for it has over 200 locations nationwide and 2 of the 3 stores I manage are in the top 10 in terms of customer service and profitability.

What is the top trait you need to be a successful manager and why?
Without a doubt you need to have great communication and people skills. Being able to connect with your staff and have them want to work for you is something that you’ll need to work hard at. I have former employees that have went on to manager their own stores and they have told me I was their main inspiration and reason for their success. I have a saying that I train people to leave. Not that I want people to leave but I train them and try to teach them as much as possible so that one day they can move in in in their career. Often they stay with the organization due the fact I trained them and treated them with respect. Being a restaurant manager isn’t easy but it all comes down to how you treat your staff.

What is the hardest thing about your job?
I think the schedule is pretty demanding. I work 7 days a week and get a few days off a month because I manager multiple stores. I could take more time off but I really enjoy my work. When I first decided to get into restaurant manager I was fresh out of school and single but now that I have a family it is more difficult when I have to work longer hours.

Do you think someone should earn their degree in restaurant management?
Yes. I love interviewing people that have went to college and know what direction they want to take in life. I’m not interviewing someone looking for a part-time job but someone who wants to actually manage a restaurant. Because so much of my job centers around budgets it is nice when we hire someone who has a business background and really understand how restaurants stay profitable by controlling food costs and overhead.