At this point, you're not just managing restaurants—you're building businesses. You've developed entire management teams, expanded into new markets, and proven that your operational philosophy drives results at scale. Whether it's VP of Operations, COO, or your own restaurant group, let's show the full picture.
Crafting a Standout Restaurant Manager Summary
Your summary is the first thing recruiters see. Here are examples that actually work for senior restaurant managers:
“VP of Operations with 10 years scaling restaurant groups. Leads 25-unit organization generating $50M revenue. Grew company from 8 to 25 locations. Advisor to CEO on market expansion and brand strategy.”
“Regional Vice President with 12 years building hospitality excellence. Manages 30-unit region across 5 states. Developed 20+ GMs and 5 district managers. Known for turnaround expertise and culture transformation.”
“COO with 15 years restaurant industry experience. Operational leadership for 40-unit casual dining brand. Led technology modernization improving margins 3%. Board advisor on strategic initiatives.”
“Restaurant Group Owner with 8+ years building multi-concept portfolio. 6 locations across 2 brands generating $12M. Third concept launching next year. Industry speaker on independent restaurant success.”
Pro Tips for Your Summary
- Lead with total units and revenue under management
- Show company growth and market expansion
- Include leadership development at scale
- Mention strategic and board-level contributions
Essential Skills for Senior Restaurant Managers
Technical Skills
Soft Skills
- Executive and strategic skills lead
- Include scale: units, revenue, geography
- Show company growth and market expansion
- Demonstrate board-level communication
Restaurant Manager Work Experience That Gets Noticed
Here are example bullet points that show real impact:
- •Lead 25-unit organization generating $50M annual revenue
- •Develop strategic plan for market expansion and brand growth
- •Build leadership pipeline developing 20+ GMs and 5 district managers
- •Advise CEO and board on operational strategy
- •Oversee technology and systems modernization
- •Negotiate national vendor partnerships and real estate deals
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Relevant certifications for senior restaurant managers:
- Education is secondary to track record
- MBA adds credibility for corporate executive roles
- Include board memberships and industry involvement
Common Mistakes Restaurant Managers Make
❌ Mistake
Resume focuses on operational details
✓ Fix
At executive level, show: 'Grew company 3x,' 'Developed regional leadership team,' 'Advised board on strategy.'
❌ Mistake
No company growth narrative
✓ Fix
Executives drive growth. Show: 'Expanded from 8 to 25 locations,' 'Launched 3 new markets,' 'Acquired and integrated competitor.'
❌ Mistake
Missing industry presence
✓ Fix
Senior leaders are industry visible. Show: speaking, writing, association involvement, or board memberships.
Quick Wins
- Add 'Leadership & Strategy' section
- Include company growth narrative
- Show leadership development at scale
- Reference board and industry involvement
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the path to restaurant industry CEO?
VP Ops → COO → CEO or President. Show you can drive company growth, build culture, and think strategically beyond operations.
Should I consider ownership vs. corporate leadership?
Different risk/reward profiles. Ownership offers upside and control. Corporate offers scale and salary stability. Many successful operators do both.
How important is industry visibility at this level?
Important. Speaking, writing, and association involvement build reputation and open opportunities. Invest in your industry presence.
The Bottom Line
Your senior restaurant manager resume should show what you've accomplished, not just what you've done. Focus on impact, use numbers, and keep it clean and ATS-friendly. When you're ready, use our free resume builder to create a polished, professional resume in minutes.
Average Salary: $100,000 - $200,000+ | Job Outlook: Growing 10% through 2030
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