7 Must-Read Books for Restaurant Managers
What is the most essential step that a new manager can take to jump-start his career?
The first step to any restaurant manager’s career is to start learning as much as you can about your craft. Knowledge is one of the key cornerstones to success in most industries. The restaurant business is no exception.
Below are some of the best resources to get started with, especially for new managers. Even if you’re seasoned like last week’s soup then there are some nuggets in here for you as well. Let’s dig in!
1. The One Minute manager – Ken Blanchard, Sheldon Johnson
This book gets the nod for number one on my list for many reasons. It was the first book I read as an aspiring Restaurant manager. Over the years I have given away many copies of this book to managers and teams I’ve trained. It gives inspiration to someone who’s never managed before and sets out a guide to deal proactively with issues before they become larger problems. It’s short, easy to read, and teaches you how to deal effectively with items quickly. Being a restaurant manager means you need to be quick on your feet when it comes to making decisions. This book gets you headed in the right direction.
2. Raving Fans – Ken Blanchard, Sheldon Bowles
Number 2 on the list is just as good as the number 1 spot. Also an easy reader by Blanchard, this book will have you finding relevant situations you can begin to address immediately before you finish the first chapter. He takes you on a journey with an Area Manager and his Fairy Godmother Charlie. I know, it’s not as cheesy as it sounds. Charlie guides the area manager as he learns how everyone is connected to the outcome of creating not just customers but Raving Fans who will be driving business to you just by doing business with you once or twice. This is an absolute must-read for anyone in the Restaurant or Service industry.
3. The New Restaurant Manager – John T Self PhD
This book is a delight to read. Even if you’ve got years in the industry as a management professional, you will take something useful from this one. John has an easygoing style with the way it’s written and especially focuses on new management strategies. How to avoid career-ending, costly mistakes, as well as rookie mistakes. He talks about how to approach issues every manager deals with. This book draws from the author’s own experiences from his career in the industry. He also discusses strategies and topics on career advancement and setting one’s self up for an upward trajectory in this field. This gem rounds out the top three absolute must-reads on this list.
4. The Restaurant Manager’s Handbook – Douglas R Brown
The Restaurant Manager’s Handbook is the best-selling book about successful food service. It has won multiple awards over its lifespan. The fifth edition is revised and includes information that you need to run your restaurant in today’s technologically advanced era.
This vast resource includes topics such as menu planning, food sourcing, food safety, scheduling, digital marketing, recent trends in the restaurant business, managing online feedback, and innovative ways to promote your restaurant on the web.
While the information is invaluable from a restaurant manager’s standpoint, if you’re even thinking of opening a restaurant, you would be well advised to purchase this book.
It contains information such as menu design, kitchen design, planning and layout, and critical food safety information like Hazardous and Critical Control Points (HACCP). It covers budgeting, P&L (profit and loss), labor and IRS topics, and more. As a manager, it’s a great resource. As an owner, it’s a necessity.
5. The seven habits of highly effective people -Stephen R Covey
I have used the Covey management and organizational system for years. I started very soon after I became a manager and it alone was responsible for my effectiveness. Of that, I have no doubt. If you’re looking to learn how to focus your daily efforts and deal with issues quickly and effectively while engaging the hearts and minds of your people to do it right even when you’re not around, this is the resource you’re looking for.
Another of my favorites. While considerably longer as a whole, it’s well worth the time spent consuming all of the information in this now classic text. If you’re into self-education, learning how to be more effective in business dealings, and understanding how to connect with people then I highly recommend this one.
6. The greatest salesman in the world – Og Mandino.
Let’s face it. As a manager, you are a salesman. As a restaurateur even more so.
The Greatest Salesman in the World is a book, written by Og Mandino, and guides you through the philosophy of salesmanship. You’ll learn of Hafid, and how he achieved his life of success and abundance.
While going through the story you begin to understand what it means to become a great salesperson. Suggesting that the best strategies are just becoming a better you through proper habits, self-discipline, and perseverance. I highly recommend this one.
7. How to win friends and influence people – Dale Carnegie
Carnegie’s rock-solid, experience-tested advice has remained relevant for generations because he addresses timeless questions about the art of getting along with people.
How to Win Friends and Influence People deals with issues such as:
- How to communicate effectively
- How to make people like you
- How to increase your ability to get things done
- How to get others to see your side
- How to become a more effective leader
- How to successfully navigate almost any social situation
- And so much more
While it is an older publication, the principles are lasting. The psychology behind the methods is not only ingenious but will transform not only how you do business but your everyday life as well.
Conclusion
I always tell a new manager I am training to begin learning as much as possible, as fast as possible. This is a fast-paced business and to be effective, we need the proper tools for whatever comes our way. There are some great titles in this list. I am sure your will find as much value in them as I have over the years.
