How to Become a Restaurant Manager

Opening a restaurant franchise is a great way to become a restaurant manager at a lower level of risk, starting a dynamic and exciting new career in food service. Here’s how you can start your franchising journey, enter the restaurant industry, and launch your franchise business successfully.

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Post-pandemic, the state of franchising in the restaurant sector is better than you might think. Since the 2021 lockdown ended, restaurants across the UK have enjoyed strong customer demand, as many are thrilled to be able to get back out there and enjoy some tasty dishes in a restaurant setting again. If you’d like to become a restaurant manager and join over 42,000 full service restaurants in the UK [IBISWorld], this article will tell you everything you need to know.

What does a restaurant manager do?

The first thing you need to know, if you’re thinking of starting a restaurant franchise, is exactly what a restaurant manager does. What will your responsibilities be in your new role? What jobs will you need to juggle each working day? A day in the life for a restaurant franchise owner will usually include some or all of the following activities:

• Hiring, managing and retaining employees
• Developing and/or maintaining strong supplier relationships
• Developing and/or maintaining a strong customer base
• Quality control and customer service
• Marketing and advertising your business
• Maintaining high cleanliness standards in all areas of the restaurant

If all of that seems right up your street, you should know that there are many advantages to running a restaurant franchise, not limited to the high demand already discussed above. You’ll also enjoy all the perks of working with a team of interesting, talented people, you’ll be able to become an important part of the local community, and you’ll be able to grow and adapt your business with time. Plus, as a franchisee, you’ll benefit from a brand name, operational guidelines and all the support and training you could ask for.

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>> Read more:

• 12 Things to Consider When Identifying the Right Location for Your Restaurant Franchise
• 3 Ways to Get Funding For Your Restaurant Franchise
• Regulations and Licences Required to Open a Restaurant
• 14 Tips for Defining and Reaching Your Restaurant's Target Customers
• Hiring Employees for Your Restaurant
• Choosing a Concept for Your Restaurant

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How to become a restaurant manager

With a clear understanding of why you might want to become a restaurant manager and what would be expected of you in the role, it’s time to dive into how, exactly, you can make that transition and start running a restaurant franchise successfully. Here’s what you need to do before you sign that all-important franchise agreement and commit to a contract.

1. Assess your existing skills and qualifications

You’re probably wondering: What skills does a restaurant manager need, and what training? In terms of training, you’d benefit from a qualification like a Level 3 Diploma in Hospitality Supervision and Leadership, or a Level 4 Diploma in Hospitality Leadership. That said, in many cases franchisor training will supersede this need, and you won’t be expected to have any prior experience.

In terms of your skills, there are absolutely certain skills that franchise networks will expect you to possess, and request of you when you look into investing. Before you pull the trigger on any kind of restaurant franchise investment, check in with yourself and ensure you’re a good fit for the industry. Ask yourself the following questions:

• Can I provide customers with great service?
• Can I motivate and manage others?
• Can I work well under pressure?
• Am I good at managing my time (and the time of others)?
• Am I attentive to detail?
• Do I have a passion for this kind of work?

2. Research the restaurant industry

Your next step, as you look into areas of interest and potential franchise opportunities, will be to dive headfirst into market research. Find a niche that appeals to you, whether that’s Italian food or Thai food or anything else under the sun, and then look into three key areas within this niche. Area one: Trends. There are many industry-wide restaurant trends in 2021, but there are also likely to be micro-trends to discover in your chosen area of expertise.

Area two: Demand. What’s the state of play in the particular area that interests you? Area three: Your competitors. By understanding them, you’ll be able to see how your own restaurant franchise can stand out. This is true not just of the products and services you offer, but of the way that you choose to market your restaurant franchise.

3. Find your ideal franchise opportunity

Your final step is all about narrowing it down, and locating that perfect opportunity. The biggest factor to take into consideration at this stage will be cost, and finding the right financial fit for you. Here are some examples, from Point Franchise’s extensive directory, of costs associated with restaurant franchise investment opportunities:

• Bella Italia - To become a Bella Italia franchisee, you’ll need to make a minimum initial investment of £350,000, with franchise fees of £25,000 and a total investment cost of £700,000.

• WOLF - To become a WOLF franchisee, you’ll need to make a minimum initial investment of £100,000, with franchise fees of £15,000 and a total investment cost of £200,000.

• Las Iguanas - To become a Las Iguanas franchisee, you’ll need to make a minimum initial investment of £350,000, with franchise fees of £25,000 and a total investment cost of £700,000.

Franchising opportunities in the restaurant sector

1. Camile Thai

Camile Thai is a healthy and sustainable Thai restaurant which was first founded in 2010 by Brody Sweeney. The innovative company puts the focus on bespoke tech, and currently boasts 45+ locations.

• Becoming a Camile Thai Kitchen franchisee: You don’t need any prior experience to invest, just a willingness to learn, grow and work hard.
• How much you need to invest: You’ll need to make a minimum initial investment of £100,000, with franchise fees of £20,000.
• What you get for your investment: You’ll complete a six week training programme and then be supported with all manner of things, including site selection, staff recruitment, business planning, marketing and more.

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>> Read more:

• Ready for a Career Change? Check Out These Five Top Franchise Opportunities in the UK
• Career Change: Start a Fresh Career with a Franchise
• Fed Up With the 9-to-5 Perhaps Starting a Franchise Business Is Your Best Next Career Move

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2. Café Rouge

Café Rouge is a French casual dining brand offering its customers classic bistro cuisine, wine and coffee. Established in 1989, the franchise has grown substantially and now has over 90 restaurants in the UK, serving six million meals each year.

• Becoming a Café Rouge franchisee: The ideal franchisee should have a strong track record in the industry, a fantastic local network and long-term ambitions for the business.
• How much you need to invest: You’ll need to make a minimum initial investment of £350,000, with franchise fees of £25,000 and a total investment costof £700,000.
• What you get for your investment: You’ll be fully supported in the establishing and developing of your franchise business’s brand, and helped with everything from site selection, to operations and employee training.

Running a franchise in the food service industry is fast-paced and rewarding

If you’re ready to start your journey as a restaurant manager, stay on Point Franchise and find out even more useful information to help you along the way. Read all about the latest tech trends innovating the restaurant sector, or discover five tips for building a business plan for a successful restaurant business.