Anyone out there ever been a Restaurant Manager and switched careers with the experience they already had?
Asked by Brad M
I'm looking for find some other kind of job using the training and experience I already have gained as a salaried restaurant manager. Any advice from anyone, particularly those who may have already been in my shoes, would be great. Maybe something that's not 50+ hrs a week, with some weekends off? Any advice would be great, but please don't respond with something simple like "Eh, everyone doesn't like there job now and then" or something like that. I'm looking for real help, desperately. Thank you for your time if you answer!

Best Answer:
the skills you develop in restaurant management transfer extremely well to all industries. the ability to lead, delegate, follow-up, provide customer service, budget, deal with HR issues, hire, terminate, train, schedule, control inventory, interact with corporate management and inexperienced employees are traits that ANY company would be looking for in an employee/management trainee/supervisor/corporate department. i worked in food service 30+ years i understand the demands and the lack of free/family time. i also understand that once you leave it many jobs do not compare. the challenges that make you hate it are the challenges you miss once they are gone. you will be an asset to whatever company you move on to and you will miss the old job (as hard as that may be to believe right now). you have valuable skills just put them down on paper and you will find a number of opportunities available for you. you just have to realize how valuable your skills are a lot of restaurant managers don't realize just what they have to offer. you are a professional who is responsible for more business then many lawyers, nurses, doctors, engineers etcetra in your community. you have a huge impact on a large and varied workforce, you are responsible for teaching work ethic, responsibility and general work skills to a large part of your communities youth. just decide what you want to try, you will find you have more skills to offer then most anyone else in the workforce. EDIT: how do you manage to just work 50+ hours a week? you are good.............................
30+ years QSR management, 20 years general manager and multi-unit responsibility
Answered by michr

they are mostly the same...50-55 hrs a week...same approx pay....same labor etc... if you don't like it, move on, imo
Answered by nickelrustler

Yes, I became a grave digger.
Answered by Frank R

I think if you have Management experience you know how to manage. So maybe try out retail, or I just got into a Home Improvement store:)
Answered by Bret N

I am a restaurant manager and all the older managers tell me, "get out while you are young". I am also going to school. I am going into human resources and lots of the skills transfer.
Answered by Donnao

Hi I was in your shoes 10 years ago. I was managing a restaurant when I decided I had had enough. I searched for a carrer for an easy transition and found at that time. 10 years ago, that banks like hiring, X-restaurant managers. They know of the dedication that restaurant managers have and that they are willing to work, extra hours if need be. It has been great for me, 9 to 5 monday-friday, I was truly blessed and i am very greatful. Best of luck to you! I always thought working in restaurants was a very people oriented business and that something that is needed in all industries. So explore what you enjoy and go get it.
Answered by jdm

Hi, I was in your shoes too. And I have been a restaurant manager for the past 4 years, at the time I was going to school to be a web developer and wanted to do something with computers. Now, I am an independent web developer/ multimedia specialist doing multiple projects for different clients. My management skills helped me a lot when I used this as a Teacher's Assistant teaching multimedia in a college few years back. It also open more job opportunities...
Answered by doraima29