Food Service Management Careers: The Right Move for You?

Food service managers (FSMs) help eateries of all types provide superior service to their customers by organizing the daily activities of other staff members. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the need for FSMs will grow by at least 9% over the next decade. For those who are passionate about food service, a career as an FSM offers long-term stability and daily satisfaction.

What are some of the skills and abilities needed to be an effective FSM? How does formal education help aspiring FSMs reach their career goals? What can a formal education teach future FSMs that helps them succeed on their new career path?

Skills and Abilities of Effective FSMs

FSMs are responsible for almost every aspect of managing a food service operation. Some of the duties they can expect to perform on a daily basis include:

• Hiring and training new employees.
• Reviewing employee performance.
• Ordering ingredients, equipment, and other supplies.
• Setting standards for service including food preparation, presentation, and portion sizes.
• Keep employees in compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations.
• Manage schedules, payroll, and budgets.
• Respond to customer concerns and complaints.

In order to accomplish their daily tasks, FSMs need the following skillsets.

• Administrative skills like typing, knowledge of computer productivity applications, accounting, and bookkeeping.
• Superior verbal and written communication skills.
• Customer service savvy.
• A high level of attention to detail.
• Ability to organize large amounts of information.
• Physical stamina.
• Ability to solve problems quickly while maintaining a professional demeanor.
• Leadership and motivational skills.

Previous restaurant experience as a cook, server, or in another capacity are also helpful for understanding the needs of a commercial food operation.

Benefits of Formal Education for FSMs

With some luck and the right kind of work experience, it is possible to secure a position as an FSM. However, starting your career with a formal education offers a number of important benefits.

• Greater base knowledge. Even with years of experience, it’s likely that your experience is still limited to a certain type of eatery. Attending a training program gives you a greater depth of knowledge, which means more career options.
• Expanded professional network. The students and instructors in your training sessions will form a network that you can access for references, job referrals, and information about career-expanding opportunities.
• A formal education not only hones your professional skills. It also sets you up for success by providing connections and knowledge that you can’t get anywhere else.

Lessons Learned in Formal Education

What valuable lessons should you learn in a formal FSM training program?

• Principles of accounting to help you manage the financial details of running an eatery.
• Skills to be a more effective leader.
• Marketing strategies to keep your eatery in front of potential customers.
• Ethics and legal issues that might present themselves in the course of your daily work.
• How to maintain facilities and equipment.
• Techniques for controlling food costs and customer satisfaction.
• Customer service methods that diffuse negative emotions and promote lasting relationships with repeat customers.
• How to manage eateries that offer alcoholic beverages.
• Studies in entrepreneurship for those who want to open their own operation.

Your formal training will also include instruction on computer programs that are commonly used in today’s restaurants and bistros.

FSMs are an integral part of every successful eatery. Are you interested in earning a Bachelor of Science in Food Service Management? If so, consider ECPI University's Culinary Institute of Virginia. With accelerated classes and a year-round schedule, you could earn your degree in as little as 2.5 years. For more information, connect with a friendly admissions counselor today.

It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!

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Gainful Employment Information – Food Service Management - Bachelor’s

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