Food Service Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization or department that serves food and beverages.

$65,310
Median Annual Pay
Jobs growth:
+6% projected 2024–2034
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical Entry-Level Education

What They Do

Food service managers oversee the complete operation of restaurants, cafeterias, corporate dining facilities, or catering companies. They coordinate daily activities across multiple areas, ensuring smooth service from opening to closing. Their responsibilities include creating employee schedules, ordering food and supplies, managing inventory to minimize waste, and ensuring health and safety regulations are strictly followed. They handle customer complaints, resolve conflicts between staff members, and step in wherever needed during busy shifts—sometimes greeting guests, expediting orders, or even cooking when short-staffed.

Programs That Prepare You

College programs linked to this occupation, ranked by graduate earnings

Hospitality Administration/Management(masters)Georgetown University, DC
$79,515
Hospitality Administration/Management(bachelors)Cornell University, NY
$77,803
Hospitality Administration/Management(masters)Purdue University-Main Campus, IN
$73,520
Foods, Nutrition,(masters)Simmons University, MA
$64,455
Foods, Nutrition,(masters)Central Michigan University, MI
$63,726
Foods, Nutrition,(masters)CUNY Lehman College, NY
$63,287
Foods, Nutrition,(masters)Cedar Crest College, PA
$62,345
Foods, Nutrition,(masters)North Dakota State University-Main Campus, ND
$60,498
Foods, Nutrition,(masters)Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus, PA
$58,641
Foods, Nutrition,(masters)The University of Alabama, AL
$58,442
Foods, Nutrition,(masters)Saint Elizabeth University, NJ
$58,330
Foods, Nutrition,(postbacc-cert)Syracuse University, NY
$56,839
Foods, Nutrition,(masters)Montclair State University, NJ
$56,488
Hospitality Administration/Management(masters)East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania, PA
$56,022
Hospitality Administration/Management(masters)George Washington University, DC
$55,088
Foods, Nutrition,(masters)University of Bridgeport, CT
$54,775
Hospitality Administration/Management(bachelors)George Washington University, DC
$53,625
Foods, Nutrition,(masters)Arizona State University Campus Immersion, AZ
$53,540
Foods, Nutrition,(masters)Central Washington University, WA
$53,540
Foods, Nutrition,(masters)Graceland University-Lamoni, IA
$53,540
Foods, Nutrition,(masters)Iowa State University, IA
$53,540
Foods, Nutrition,(masters)Eastern Michigan University, MI
$53,540
Foods, Nutrition,(masters)Colorado State University-Fort Collins, CO
$53,540
Foods, Nutrition,(masters)Baylor University, TX
$53,540
Foods, Nutrition,(masters)Arizona State University Digital Immersion, AZ
$53,540

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