Whether you’re new to restaurant management or want to take your management style to the next level, it can be tricky to know where to start. But that’s why I’m here! So, grab some snacks, a pen and paper (coming from the blogger that writes on Word, I know, let me live) and let the plethora of tips and tricks commence!
5 Tips To Bring Your Restaurant Management Skills To The Next Level
1. Get Your Marketing Hat On
When you’re managing a restaurant, it’s important to make sure your restaurant is driving new customers through the door. If it’s a small restaurant, it’s probably down to you to sort out the social media. With frequent posts, creating a real presence and interacting with those commenting on your posts – they could be dining with you before you know it!
If you’re in a bigger place that can do with the help. So, try bringing in a digital marketer who's a social media wizard to help ease your workload. Pass on all of your restaurant knowledge and key selling points down to someone that knows the best way to get the word out!
2. The Customer Isn’t Always Right, But Your Response Should Be
We hear that the customer is always right a lot, and to a certain extent, they are…maybe. After all, they bring life to your business so it’s important to try your best to ensure their experience is positive.
However, it isn’t guaranteed that the customer will always be super understanding of busy shifts, or the fact that you cannot get the ingredients they demand. And considering it’s a small Italian restaurant, you straight up don’t serve meat from the newly found species in a rare region far away that needs to be cooked for precisely 12 minutes and 0.3 seconds. But who wouldn't fathom that...right?
Regardless of how the attitude they carry, remember that you can’t control what happens, but you can control your response. So, the "customer is always right" rule you've heard all along isn't exactly the point. What matters, is you understand they have the right to their opinion and how you acknowledge it.
Working in hospitality you need to train your employees on how to expect anything and everything, and that your response is key. Giving them an idea on how to respond to modifications, angry customers or those customers that show up as you’re closing.
3. Take Promotions To The Next Level
Keep up with the trends y’all! Who says trends need to stick online? If Stranger Things, or The Office, or even – and don’t hurt me for saying this – Love Island, is trending, then take action! Get some themed drinks on the go, or if you can then host a happy hour!
If there are sporting events, like the six nations, try to do fun menus to match who’s playing etc. And up to 80% of customers are more likely to stop for a bite to try out a new restaurant if you're offering a deal. So, get does combo deals, buy-one-get-one-free, happy hour and free desserts ready to attract new customers. And don't forget to advertise it all over you social media channels!
4. Communication is Key
Your staff are everything. Keep them in the loop and let them keep you in the loop too. Have regular conversations to make sure they’re happy, managing well and see if they have any new ideas or plans.
Make sure they know your vision and priorities so that everyone is on the same page. Communication is the only way you'll establish a trusting and reliable relationship with your employees. After all, a ship can’t function without its crew.
5. Do It Yourself
What better way to understand your staff and how the restaurant flows, than getting experience in the operation yourself! Get your hands dirty from time to time. Go into the kitchen when you’ve got a moment free to see how it works back there, offer to help, or ask for a talk through your employees' day to day life, see if they need help, a bigger team or any improvements.
Do it yourself so you understand the workings of each element, why it works and why it doesn't. Learn the hospitality trade so you can be the best manager possible for your team!
Do you have any other tips on managing a restaurant? If you're ready to take your restaurant management career to the next level have a look at our vacancies where you can show off your skills!