Prepare for a Restaurant Manager job interview by going through the most commonly asked interview questions. We’ve put them into three separate categories — questions about skills and experience, questions about customer service and situational or behavioral questions.
This guide provides interviewers with the best questions they should ask Restaurant Manager applicants in job interviews.
At the same time, it includes effective example answers and tips that can help applicants ace their interviews and land a Restaurant Manager job.
Restaurant Manager Interview Questions About Skills and Experience
This group of questions will help interviewers or hiring managers assess a candidate’s experience and expertise.
As a job seeker, your goal is to describe your previous experience in the restaurant industry as clearly and concisely as possible. This will help interviewers see if you’re a good fit for the role.
Most employers consider previous experience as more valuable than a university degree. However, make sure to mention it (if you have one), together with the relevant certifications you possess. This can help you stand out among other Restaurant Manager applicants.
Tell us about your experience so far working in the restaurant industry.
Sample answer: “I’ve started my restaurant career as a Bartender three and a half years ago. I was finishing my studies in restaurant management back then, so I looked for part-time jobs that required little to no previous experience.
Bartending seemed like a great opportunity to both earn money and gain valuable restaurant experience. Thanks to my dedication and skill at providing exceptional customer service, I was promoted to the Assistant Restaurant Manager position after only six months of working as a Bartender.
I’ve been working as an Assistant Restaurant Manager at a small family-run restaurant for two years now, and I’ve learned a lot about how to efficiently manage front-of-house and back-of-house operations.
I’m skilled at inventory management and budgeting, and I also have experience training new staff. Now, I’m ready for the next big step in my career and I’m eager to take on the challenges and responsibilities of a Restaurant Manager role. Most importantly, I’m confident I can make your restaurant even more successful.”
Are you familiar with restaurant management software and tools?
Sample answer: “Yes, I am familiar with Toast POS and 7shifts. I’ve used Toast for managing orders and payments and inventory tracking. For scheduling, I used 7shifts. I find these tools extremely useful for streamlining operations and ensuring efficient management of both front-of-house and back-of-house tasks.”
Can you describe how your typical day looked in your previous Restaurant Manager role?
Sample answer: “My average day looked something like this: I first checked if we have enough staff scheduled for the day. Then I gathered the team to update them on the promotions and specials for that day. After that, I checked inventory levels and made sure all the restaurant areas were clean and ready for customers.
Throughout the day, I kept an eye on the dining room to see if guests were satisfied and whether the service was running smoothly. I also helped with any issues that arose and handled administrative tasks back in my office. Before closing, I made sure all financials were balanced and delegated closing tasks to the staff.”
A Day in the Life of a Restaurant Manager
Here’s a short video that provides a glimpse into the daily responsibilities and challenges of a Restaurant Manager.
How do you make sure your team meets service and quality standards?
Sample answer: “To ensure top service and quality standards, I provide my team with a clear picture of what I expect, along with thorough training. Then, I make sure to regularly monitor their performance and give constructive feedback.
I also pay attention to reviews online and from customer feedback forms. This allows me to see which areas need improvement so that our team can make adjustments to address possible issues.”
Restaurant Manager Interview Questions About Customer Service
A Restaurant Manager’s job isn’t just about inventory control or budgeting; it’s also about ensuring customer satisfaction and loyalty through exceptional service.
As an interviewer, one of your top priorities should be to assess the applicant’s customer service skills. Lacking in this area could potentially lead to negative reviews and a decrease in repeat customers.
On the other hand, if you’re an applicant, you need to convince the interviewer that you’re more than capable of delivering exceptional customer service. You can do this by giving specific examples from your past roles where you exceeded customer expectations or resolved issues.
How do you ensure customers with different dietary needs have a great dining experience?
Sample answer: “I work with the Head Chef to make sure our menu includes vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, allergen-free and other options to cater to different dietary needs. Also, I have my staff undergo extensive training on the ingredients and cooking methods of each dish.
That way, they can provide accurate information to restaurant guests. Whenever necessary, I coordinate with the kitchen staff to accommodate special dietary requests.”
How do you manage customer expectations during peak hours when wait times are longer than usual?
Sample answer: “In such situations, all you can do is be transparent. When customers arrive, I let them know what the wait time is. To make waiting more pleasant, I usually offer them free drinks or snacks.
This strategy works most of the time because it shows that we value their time and are committed to providing a positive experience, even if they have to wait. Keeping customers informed and comfortable prevents or at least reduces their frustration.”
How do you handle VIP customers or special guests?
Sample answer: “I make sure to check in advance whether we have VIP guests on any given day and who they are. I personally greet them upon arrival and assign the best table and most experienced Servers to them.
During their meal, I check on them a couple of times to see if they need anything. At the same time, I try not to be intrusive, allowing them to enjoy their meal and company. What I also often do is offer free appetizers or desserts as a gesture of appreciation, ensuring they feel special.
Situational/Behavioral Questions Asked in a Restaurant Management Interview
The Restaurant Manager interview questions below are intended to measure the candidate’s capacity for quick thinking.
As an interviewer, you need to come up with a situation your candidate is likely to find themselves in and see how they would handle it.
As an interviewee, you need to quickly come up with a solution that demonstrates your problem-solving skills and dedication to providing exceptional customer service.
A customer informs you that they found nuts in their meal, despite specifying their nut allergy while ordering. What steps would you take to address the situation?
Sample answer: “First, I would go over to the customer and give them my sincere apologies while checking if they have any reactions from eating the contaminated food served to them. I would then quickly remove the dish and offer to prepare a new meal for free.
Then, I would go to the kitchen to discuss what happened with the Food Prep Workers, Cooks and Chefs, letting them know such mistakes were unacceptable. I would personally oversee the preparation of the new meal, making sure food isn’t contaminated with allergens again.
Once the new meal is ready, I would personally bring it to the guest, apologizing once again for the inconvenience and offering a free drink or dessert.”
One of your Waiters calls in sick just an hour before their shift. It’s a busy Friday night and you’re now short-staffed. What would you do to maintain service quality?
Sample answer: “If that happened, I would first assess the efficiency of the team I have at my disposal and reassign roles to cover for the missing Waiter. If that wasn’t possible, I would phone the off-duty staff and check if they can jump in to fill the gap.
If no one was available that night, I would step in to help my team.”
Two guests are having a loud argument, disturbing other diners. How would you handle this situation?
Sample answer: “I would approach the guests in question calmly and discreetly. I would politely ask them to lower their voices and suggest they continue their conversation privately. If the argument continues, I would ask them to leave, offering to pack their meal to-go.
If they decline and the argument escalates, I would involve security to keep our staff and guests safe. Throughout the whole interaction, I would stay calm and professional as well as avoid raising my voice.”
How To Prepare for a Restaurant Manager Job Interview
Use the following tips to prepare for your next Restaurant Manager interview, whether you’re a candidate or an interviewer.
As a candidate:
- Do thorough research on your prospective employer. Check their website, social media accounts, menu offerings and try to understand their company culture and the type of clientele they serve.
- Carefully read the Restaurant Manager job description to get a better understanding of the employer’s expectations for this role. Be ready to discuss your previous restaurant experience, highlighting results you achieved or improvements you implemented.
- Anticipate situational questions that will assess your problem-solving and customer service skills. It’s best to practice your answers (especially for these types of questions) with a friend or family member. That way, you will you feel more confident during the interview.
- Make sure you’re up to date with the latest trends in the restaurant industry so you impress the interviewer. This includes refreshing your knowledge of new restaurant management software and eco-friendly practices.
- Pay attention to your body language. If you want to exude confidence, you need to maintain good eye contact and maintain an upright posture. Don’t touch your face or play with your hair because you’ll appear nervous or distracted. Instead, nod your head to show understanding or lean forward to express interest.
As an interviewer or hiring manager:
- Start with a warm welcome to make the candidate feel comfortable.
- Ask relevant questions to assess the candidate’s experience and expertise, as well as communication, leadership and problem-solving skills
- Give candidates opportunities to ask questions about the role and the restaurant.
- Clearly explain the next steps in the interview process.
