Restaurant and Food Services Management

Overview

Restaurant and food services management programs include topics such as:

• Food/beverage operations
• Food services administration
• Personnel management
• Menu planning
• Food preparation
• Food and health regulations

Restaurant and food services management may be offered as a focus in a hospitality or hotel management program.

Concentrations

In restaurant and food services management programs, students may be able to specialize in:

• Restaurant management
• Catering management
• Food services administration

Schools

Many community colleges and two-year schools offer associate degree programs in restaurant and food services management. An associate degree program usually takes two years of full-time study.

Many colleges and universities offer bachelor's degrees in restaurant and food services management. A bachelor's degree usually takes about four years of full-time study.

Very few universities offer graduate degrees in restaurant and food services management. A master's degree typically requires two years of study beyond a bachelor's degree. Doctoral (PhD) degree programs usually require two or more years of study beyond the master's degree.

See schools that offer this program.

Related Educational Programs

• Accounting
• Advertising
• Business Management and Administration
• Culinary Arts
• Dietetics
• Food Services
• Food, Nutrition, and Wellness Studies
• Hospitality Management
• Marketing
• Public Relations
• Purchasing and Contracts Management
• Wine Steward/Sommelier

Related Careers

Careers Directly Related to this Program of Study

• Food Service Worker Supervisors
• Restaurant Managers

Other Careers Related to this Program of Study

• Caterers
• Chefs and Dinner Cooks
• Concierges
• Dietitians
• Hotel and Motel Managers
• Meeting and Convention Planners

Program Admission

Proprietary schools, colleges, and universities all offer this program. If you want to study at a proprietary school, you can prepare for this program of study by completing your high school diploma or getting a GED. If you want to study at a college or university, you can prepare for this program by taking the following courses: four years of English, three years of math, three years of social studies, and two years of science. Some colleges also require two years of a second language.

A personal interview and related work or volunteer experience may be required as well.

Below is a list of high school courses that will help prepare you for this program of study:

• Accounting
• Business and Applied English
• Business Computer Applications
• Business Law
• Business Math
• Food and Nutrition
• Food Science
• Food Service
• Food Service and Nutrition
• Introduction to Business
• Marketing
• Recordkeeping

Graduate Admissions

Admission to graduate programs is competitive. You need a bachelor's degree and good grades. You also need to submit letters of recommendation and a personal statement.

Your bachelor's degree should be in restaurant and food services management or in a related field such as business administration or culinary arts.

If you want to apply to a doctoral program, you may need a master's degree. In that case, your bachelor's degree does not have to be in any particular field as long as your master's degree is related to this program of study.

Additional requirements at many schools include:

• Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT)
• Graduate Record Exam (GRE) General
• Academic writing sample
• Personal interview
• Related work experience

Typical Course Work

Program Courses

In this undergraduate program, you typically take courses such as the following:

• Accounting
• Catering and Banquet Management
• Communications and Buyer Behavior
• Dining Room Operation and Management
• Equipment Planning and Layout
• Event Administration
• Food and Beverage Cost Control
• Food Chemistry
• Food Evaluation Techniques
• Food Microbiology
• Food Preparation
• Food Service Computer Applications
• Food Service Layout and Design
• Food Services Sanitation Management
• Fundamentals of Human Resource Management
• Hospitality Law
• Kitchen Management
• Labor Relations
• Management of Quantity Food Purchasing, Production, and Storage
• Marketing
• Menu Design and Analysis
• Nutrition for Wellness
• Psychology of Business and Industry
• Recipe Development
• Restaurant Operational Management
• Wine and Spirits

Graduate Program Courses

Course work in graduate programs varies. However, the outline of a typical graduate curriculum looks like the following:

• Required core courses
• Elective courses based on your specific interests
• Thesis and thesis defense (master's degree only)
• Dissertation and dissertation defense (doctoral degree only)

Most programs, both undergraduate and graduate, require you to complete an externship or practicum. This is a hands-on opportunity to apply what you've learned in the classroom to real-life restaurant and food services settings.

You gain exposure to different management styles and situations that you might not experience in a textbook. You also benefit from the guidance and direct supervision of an experienced restaurant and food services manager or administrator.

In some cases, an extended practicum takes the place of the master's thesis.

Things to Know

You are expected to purchase your own cooking equipment for your culinary course work.

Every state has different regulations on food handling. Check with your local health department for the specific requirements in your area. You may need to get a food handler's permit before you can start working.

Schools

King-Snohomish Area

Washington State University - Pullman (Everett)

• Hospitality Business Management

Spokane Area

Spokane Community College

• Hotel and Restaurant Management
• Hotel and Restaurant Management--Resort Food and Beverage
• Hotel and Restaurant Management--Restaurant Management

Statewide and Distance Learning

Washington State University - Global Campus

• Hospitality Business Management

Tacoma Area

Clover Park Technical College

• Culinary Arts--Restaurant Management