Hiring restaurant managers

While optimizing operations, restaurant managers might need to introduce new workflows. How a candidate answers this question will provide insight into their ability to adapt to change, juggle multiple priorities at once, and lead a team of employees. To ensure a seamless transition process, candidates should stay organized and encourage feedback.

A restaurant manager handles personnel decisions, sometimes autonomously. This question will help you find a manager who can properly recruit and train waiters, cooks, and support staff. Candidates should also be prepared to handle potential obstacles, such as high turnover among hourly staff members.

All restaurants are subject to health and cleanliness inspections. Failing an inspection can result in steep consequences, including fines, profit losses, and even temporary or permanent business closure. By enforcing all health code regulations, candidates can ensure the safety of both team members and customers.

Turnover in the restaurant industry tends to be higher than in other fields, but that doesn’t have to be a given at every restaurant. The best managers can provide long-term organizational structure, even as waiters, dishwashers, and cooks come and go. By executing forward-looking strategies, candidates can help scale your business over time.

As the person in charge of recruiting and retaining employees, the restaurant manager must also handle letting them go when necessary. Asking the applicant about serious misconduct specifically, not just underperformance, lets you gauge the applicant’s trustworthiness and ethics. As an owner or operator, you will be delegating much of the day-to-day operations to the manager, but you need to be kept in the loop when poor behavior is occurring in the restaurant.

Restaurants are fast-paced environments where tempers can easily boil over in high-stress situations. As leaders, restaurant managers should be prepared to mediate any conflicts that may arise. By practicing effective communication and acknowledging all concerns, they can help cultivate a welcoming environment for all.

Restaurant managers must be able to juggle several priorities at once, especially during rushes and other stressful situations. Whether due to employees suddenly quitting, calling out sick, or just an unexpected rush of customers, the restaurant must stay open and keep serving until closing time. Finding a manager who can navigate all these roadblocks while still providing quality service is essential.

Rude, disruptive, or otherwise difficult customers are somewhat inevitable. Restaurant managers should carefully evaluate the situation in question, defending staff members or other patrons when necessary. By doing so, they can ensure a safe and comfortable environment for both employees and customers.

Working in a restaurant can be tense and demanding. The work is hard, the margins are usually very narrow, and as with many industries that depend on an hourly workforce, turnover can be high. Restaurants with chaotic or negative working conditions will inevitably let some of that negativity show to customers, whether it's in the form of poor service, order mistakes, or an uncomfortable environment. Avoid having unhappy staff and unhappy customers by selecting a manager determined to make a positive impact.