The Assistant Restaurant Manager role often serves as a stepping stone to higher positions within the hospitality industry. The common next step is the Restaurant Manager. But is that all there is to it?
Beyond career advancement, the skills honed in this role can open doors to a surprising array of opportunities.
This article explores the top alternative jobs for Assistant Restaurant Managers, showing how it can be a launchpad for diverse career paths — both within the restaurant sector and throughout the broader hospitality industry.
Top Alternative Jobs for Assistant Restaurant Managers
The skills acquired as an Assistant Restaurant Manager are highly transferable to other careers within the hospitality industry.
Explore these seven alternative careers where can leverage your experience and expertise.
1. Restaurant Consultant
Restaurant Consultants are essentially business advisors specializing in the food service industry. They provide expert guidance to restaurant owners and managers on various aspects of running successful restaurant operations.
Their role can cover a wide range of tasks, including:
- Business strategy development
- Menu planning and costing
- Financial analysis
- Marketing and branding
- Staff training and development
Assistant Restaurant Managers make natural candidates for a Restaurant Consultant job with their deep-rooted experience in the intricacies of restaurant operations.
They can effectively analyze restaurant operations, identify areas for improvement and develop strategic solutions for their clients.
2. Hotel Manager
A Hotel Manager role is not much different from an Assistant Restaurant Manager or Restaurant Manager. They manage specific areas of operation or departments within a hotel, like the front desk, housekeeping and food and beverage.
The specific title of a Hotel Manager can vary depending on the size of the hotel, its focus (e.g., luxury, business, resort) and the manager’s area of expertise. Besides the straightforward “Hotel Manager” title, here are some common sub-types:
- Resort Operations Manager
- Front Desk Manager
- Food and Beverage Manager
- Housekeeping Manager
- Night Manager
Many Assistant Restaurant Manager qualities and skills are directly transferable to hotel operations. These include being able to juggle multiple tasks and manage people as well as financial management.
Moreover, their experience in food and beverage operations provides a valuable advantage for when they oversee the hotel’s restaurant. Eventually, the skills acquired from this position can lead to a Hotel General Manager role.
3. Event Manager
An Event Manager is responsible for planning, organizing and executing events from start to finish. This includes everything from conceptualizing the event, setting a budget, choosing the venue, managing vendors and coordinating logistics.
It’s their job to ensure that the event runs smoothly and satisfies the client. They often work in various types of companies, such as corporate, entertainment and hospitality.
Assistant Restaurant Managers have a unique skill set that aligns perfectly with the demands of event management. Their experience in managing staff, controlling costs and delivering exceptional customer service is needed for successful event planning.
4. Event Planner
While Event Managers are often the operational experts, Event Planners are the creative visionaries behind events.
They conceptualize, design and coordinate all aspects of an event from start to finish. Their focus is on the big picture, including:
- Theme development
- Venue selection
- Decor and production design
- Entertainment
- Overall guest experience
The fast-paced, client-focused nature of the restaurant industry prepares Assistant Restaurant Managers to thrive in the dynamic world of events.
So if you’re seeking a role that allows you to unleash your creative potential, event planning might be the perfect fit.
5. Kitchen Manager
The kitchen is the heart of the restaurant and the Kitchen Manager heads its operation. They’re in charge of food quality, kitchen staff supervision, inventory management and adherence to health and safety regulations.
They also work with the management team on menu planning and controlling food costs.
Assistant Restaurant Managers often work closely with Kitchen Managers, gaining exposure in daily kitchen operations. Moreover, their knowledge of inventory control and quality standards is a valuable asset for transitioning into a Kitchen Manager role.
6. Catering Manager
An Assistant Restaurant Manager’s understanding of food preparation, presentation and customer satisfaction makes them a good candidate for a Catering Manager position.
Catering Managers oversee everything, from menu planning and client consultations to staffing and logistics.
This role demands a blend of creativity, organizational skills and operational expertise, which are skills developed by experienced Assistant Restaurant Managers.
7. Training Manager
A Training Manager in the restaurant or hospitality industry is responsible for developing, implementing and evaluating training programs for the staff. Their goal is to enhance employee skills which will result in increased knowledge and better performance.
They work closely with the management to ensure training aligns with business objectives and contributes to the company’s bottom line.
Is this a potential alternative job for Assistant Restaurant Managers? Absolutely!
Assistant Restaurant Managers possess many of the core skills needed for a Training Manager role.
Key Skills for Hospitality Careers: The Assistant Restaurant Manager Advantage
As we’ve mentioned, Assistant Restaurant Managers develop a versatile skill set that will help them seamlessly transition into various restaurant and hospitality roles.
Here’s a quick summary of their transferable qualities and skills:
- Customer focus: Assistant Restaurant Managers are experts at building strong customer relationships and efficiently resolving customer concerns.
- Operational efficiency: Streamlining processes, managing resources and aiming for operational excellence are crucial tasks that Assistant Restaurant Managers usually manage.
- Problem-solving and decision-making skills: They’re trained in analyzing challenges, developing solutions and making informed choices under pressure.
- Cost management: The alternative jobs on our list require understanding budgets, controlling costs and maximizing profitability, all of which also fall under the Assistant Restaurant Manager’s responsibilities
- Adaptability and flexibility: Assistant Restaurant Managers excel in high-pressure and fast-paced environments, and they can effortlessly adjust to change.
How To Successfully Transition To a New Career
Transitioning from an Assistant Restaurant Manager to a new career can be both exciting and challenging. Here are our six tips to guide you through your career transition:
- Identify your passions, strengths and values to determine your ideal career path.
- Assess your transferable skills.
- Identify any skill gaps that you might need to fill before applying for your next job.
- Build relationships with people in your desired industry to gain insights and find potential opportunities.
- Invest time to acquire new knowledge and skills through training courses, workshops or industry certifications.
- Develop a strong professional image to showcase your expertise and attract potential employers.
Ready for Your Career Shift?
From operations to customer service, Assistant Restaurant Managers have the expertise and experience that equip them for different alternative jobs within or beyond the restaurant industry.
If you’re thinking about switching careers, consider these top alternative jobs for Assistant Restaurant Managers and see if they align with your career aspirations.
