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What Is a Front of House Manager and How to Become One

Front of House Manager

What Is a Front of House Manager?

A front of house manager takes on the responsibility of managing the service staff, handling shift changes, and ensuring high customer satisfaction at a restaurant. As a front of house manager, you handle the logistical aspects of restaurant service and play a vital role in the company's reputation for customer service. Your duties include coordinating the front of house team of hosts and servers, ensuring there is open communication with the expediters, and hiring and training staff. Restaurants and hotels typically employ front of house managers with prior experience working in the food industry.

How to Become a Front of House Manager

In order to become a Front House Manager, the education requirements may vary based on the type of restaurant. Typically hotel or fine dining establishments will require a bachelor's degree or relevant degree in hospitality, house management, or another relevant field. Others will only require Front of House Managers to hold at least a high school diploma or GED. You will need to have years of relevant work experience before being eligible to work in this management role. Possessing customer service, retail, or hospitality skills will be beneficial working in the restaurant industry. Search for entry-level positions to gradually progress through the ranks to Front of House Manager.

How to Be a Good Front of House Manager

A front of house manager’s strengths are exemplified by their staff’s performance and customer satisfaction. A good front of house manager effectively communicates their expectations so staff members can perform well as a team. Front of house managers must be very organized and stay on top of all shift changes. They answer questions from staff promptly and treat both team members and customers with respect. Because a restaurant work environment can be chaotic, it’s important for front of house managers to handle any issues calmly and professionally. In this role, it’s crucial to balance many relationships to ensure the success of a restaurant’s day-to-day operations.

Is there room for career growth as a Front of House Manager?

Yes, there are various opportunities for career growth as a Front of House Manager. With experience and proven performance, you can advance to higher-level management positions within the hospitality industry, such as General Manager or Regional Manager. Additionally, you can also explore career paths in event management, hospitality consulting, or opening your own restaurant or establishment.

ow can I stand out when applying for a Front of House Manager position?

To stand out as a candidate, it is important to highlight your relevant experience and accomplishments in previous roles, especially those demonstrating leadership, problem-solving abilities, and customer service excellence. Showcase your ability to efficiently manage and motivate staff, as well as your success in improving customer satisfaction and business performance. Additionally, obtaining certifications or additional training in hospitality management can enhance your qualifications and set you apart from other applicants.

Front of House Manager Job Description Sample

With this Front of House Manager job description sample, you can get a good idea of what employers are looking for when hiring for this position. Remember, every employer is different and each will have unique qualifications when they hire for a Front of House Manager role.

Job Summary

We are looking for a Front of House Manager to run the service side of our restaurant. In this position, you will hire and train servers, bussers, and hosts/hostesses, create shift schedules, and ensure that the front-of-house (FOH) runs smoothly. You are ultimately responsible for customer satisfaction, so you must make sure your staff is providing excellent customer service. You must also facilitate a smooth line of communication between the servers and the kitchen. Our ideal candidate has several years of experience working in restaurants, preferably with some time spent in a supervisory role.

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Hire and train FOH staff
  • Set and maintain a shift schedule
  • Oversee day-to-day operations in the FOH
  • Ensure customer satisfaction by quickly fixing any issues
  • Facilitate quick and efficient communication between front and back-of-house (BOH)

Requirements and Qualifications

  • High school diploma or GED certificate
  • Several years of restaurant experience
  • Supervisory experience
  • Strong leadership and management skills
  • Communication abilities

Front of House Manager Job Description Sample

With this Front of House Manager job description sample, you can get a good idea of what employers are looking for when hiring for this position. Remember, every employer is different and each will have unique qualifications when they hire for a Front of House Manager role.

Job Summary

We are looking for a Front of House Manager to run the service side of our restaurant. In this position, you will hire and train servers, bussers, and hosts/hostesses, create shift schedules, and ensure that the front-of-house (FOH) runs smoothly. You are ultimately responsible for customer satisfaction, so you must make sure your staff is providing excellent customer service. You must also facilitate a smooth line of communication between the servers and the kitchen. Our ideal candidate has several years of experience working in restaurants, preferably with some time spent in a supervisory role.

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Hire and train FOH staff
  • Set and maintain a shift schedule
  • Oversee day-to-day operations in the FOH
  • Ensure customer satisfaction by quickly fixing any issues
  • Facilitate quick and efficient communication between front and back-of-house (BOH)

Requirements and Qualifications

  • High school diploma or GED certificate
  • Several years of restaurant experience
  • Supervisory experience
  • Strong leadership and management skills
  • Communication abilities