Top Habits of Successful Restaurant Managers

Successful restaurant managers display certain common characteristics and ways of doing things. Here we share the top habits of successful restaurant managers that could help shuttered eateries retain staff and come back strong when the dining room is open again.

Consistency

Patrons and staff need predictability. Knowing what to expect—and having expectations met—reduces the ordinary stresses of restaurant operations. Restaurants are subject to so many outside forces beyond their control, from no-shows on a busy night to supply interruptions. Staff members are stressed enough from their regular duties. Having a reliable manager who has their backs keeps things running as smoothly as possible.

Planning

Steady inventory, advance scheduling, and an idea of what to do when things don’t go as expected are necessary for managing a restaurant. Given the unpredictability of the restaurant business from one day to the next, a manager with a plan is an anchor for staff and suppliers. Getting kitchen and waitstaff the supplies and equipment they need is essential to successful restaurant management. In the present crisis, knowing how to source personal protective equipment for restaurant workers is especially important.

Respect

Nothing will run a restaurant into the ground faster than a manager who treats staff disrespectfully. Courtesy is just a start; restaurant workers need to know their manager cares about who they are as individuals. In addition, managers should offer opportunities for training and advancement. The average tenure of a restaurant employee is two months. Avoid an endless round of hiring and training by creating an atmosphere of respect that will encourage employees to stick around.

Communication

Great managers listen three times as much as they talk. Regular communication keeps everyone in the loop about goings-on—in short, communication is a must. Highly successful restaurant managers take time to cheer employees on, recognize milestones, and hear out concerns.

Humility

A manager who pitches in and demonstrates that every task is important in maintaining a superior restaurant sets an example and gains respect. Successful restaurant managers have a habit of encouraging staff to offer ideas and implementing those good ideas without imposing their own ego.