Restaurant Services & Management Degree Programs and Courses

Culinary arts and hospitality management combine to create the field of restaurant management. Restaurants pose a specialty business that demands uniquely trained professionals. Skill sets that combine culinary know-how and business management create a highly qualified industry professional.

A restaurant regardless of size or shape is successful when it attracts a volume of regular and new customers, drawn for its food, ambience or both. When longevity builds reputation even more important becomes the management. Consider a few of the items a restaurant manager might consider on a daily basis: human resources, cost management, supply and inventory, quality control, and marketing and advertising.

Degree Prerequisites

Hospitality draws a particular personality. Many other business managers are not required to appeal directly to a customer’s experience. A restaurant has perhaps a time frame of a couple of hours at the outset to assure a good all-around experience that brings the customer back as well as earns the restaurant lip-service. The ideal candidate in a restaurant management program possesses culinary experience, an aptitude for business, a passion for innovation and entertaining, and a goal to provide the consummate customer experience.

Degrees

Career-centric restaurant management degrees turn out well-trained professionals prepared to enter positions immediately. Professional and trade colleges specialize in hospitality and restaurant management programs.

Associates Degree

Hotel and Restaurant Management programs are often designed on a two-year degree model that ultimately meets Associate degree requirements. Combinations of classroom training and externships are designed to provide the industry-standard for management candidates. Courses and externships teach candidates practical skills in personnel management, menu planning, purchasing and inventory control, and sanitation standards. Culinary and mixology skills are sometimes included; this two-fold approach assures candidates are prepared for administrative, as well as roll-up-your-sleeves-and-get-dirty duties.

Bachelors Degree

Bachelors degrees in Hotel and Restaurant Management provide more time for industry specialization. At this level students gain an advantage with the time necessary to concentrate in spa management, food service, or restaurant and hotel management. The growing specialization of the business indicates the need for this type of customized training. Coursework includes: business accounting, quantity purchasing, tourism, hospitality, catering, restaurant operations, cost management, marketing, and business management.

Career Outlook

There is no substitute for experience and the restaurant industry is an example. Degrees are almost required for management positions at hotels and upscale restaurants. Resort and spa businesses may employ multiple managers. The more balanced a skill set, the more qualified the manager candidate.

Global opportunities in the hospitality and restaurant industry are keeping stride with general business, unfolding around the globe. Emerging tourism markets will continue to demand amenities that suit developed tastes and lifestyles.