Hiring Food Service Managers
Employers across the 91 metro areas we have BLS OEWS wage data for pay food service managers a median of $49,840 to $98,800 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). A search through recruitlocalpros runs Tier I to Tier VI, $6,240 to $54,340, set by seniority, never by location or salary. Our vetted recruiting partner handles sourcing, screening and placement end to end.
What do food service managers do?
- Keep records required by government agencies regarding sanitation or food subsidies.
- Investigate and resolve complaints regarding food quality, service, or accommodations.
- Maintain food and equipment inventories, and keep inventory records.
- Monitor food preparation methods, portion sizes, and garnishing and presentation of food to ensure that food is prepared and presented in an acceptable manner.
- Schedule and receive food and beverage deliveries, checking delivery contents to verify product quality and quantity.
- Coordinate assignments of cooking personnel to ensure economical use of food and timely preparation.
Core tasks, O*NET OnLine, 11-9051.00.
What does it take to become one?
These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
O*NET Job Zone 2, SVP (4.0 to < 6.0). O*NET OnLine.
Employers commonly list experience with Microsoft Office software, Facebook, Google Docs, Intuit QuickBooks, Microsoft Dynamics, Microsoft Excel for this role.
What do food service managers get paid?
BLS OEWS, May 2025 publishes a wage for food service managers in 91 of the metro areas in this build. The median ranges from $49,840 to $98,800 a year depending on the metro, with a midpoint of $67,580. This is what employers pay, place of work, not a single national figure and not what any one person takes home.
BLS OEWS, BLS OEWS, May 2025, SOC 11-9051.
What does hiring one cost?
The same as any role: tier, not location or salary, sets the fee. Across all six tiers the published range is $6,240 to $54,340 per search. For scale, the highest published median for food service managers in this build is $98,800. A contingency firm hiring at that level would bill roughly $19,760 to $29,640 on the first year salary alone, 20 to 30%.
Frequently asked
- How fast can a food service managers search fill?
- 23 to 35 days, 2 to 3x faster than a typical contingency search, per the recruiting provider's published figures.
- What if the hire does not work out?
- A 45-day replacement guarantee, at 50% off a repeat search for the same role.
Price a food service managers search
Eight questions about the role. Your tier range appears on screen, with the contingency comparison if you are paying one now.
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