Average Pay for Restaurant Managers in QSRs and FSRs [2025]

Ask a restaurant owner, "What's your biggest challenge in 2025?" and they'll probably say, "Hiring and retaining employees." Fortunately, good managers can solve this problem.  

Good managers are the bridge between restaurant leadership, frontline staff, and the guest experience. They implement the owner's vision for the establishment, hire and maintain employees, and otherwise ensure the restaurant runs smoothly so guests enjoy themselves. 

Restaurant managers have an important job, which is why you should hire the best managers you can. But wanting to hire a good manager and actually doing it are two different things. 

One of the first things you need to do is figure out what your manager's salary should be. This article outlines national averages for the role of restaurant manager. It also breaks down pay ranges by restaurant type as of April 2025. Then it explains how to use this information to stay competitive.

What Is the Average Pay for a Restaurant Manager in 2025? 

Different food service managers make different amounts of money. It depends on where their restaurant is located, the kind of restaurant they manage, and their experience level. Let's dive into various aspects of restaurant manager compensation. 

National Averages and Key Takeaways 

As of April 2025, the average yearly salary for a restaurant manager in the United States is $60,317. Most managers work 50-60 hours per week, which translates to roughly $23.10 an hour. 

Of course, the average salary isn't always the best metric to analyze. The median salary for restaurant management professionals is $57,886 per year. The median hourly rate is about $22.26. 

Disclaimer: Average and median salary information varies by source. Industry-specific surveys and restaurant job boards might give you different data. Still, the metrics above provide a solid starting point as of April 2025. Use them to help determine compensation for restaurant manager positions. 

Regional Differences in Manager Compensation 

Generally speaking, restaurant managers earn the most money in major cities like New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. In fact, the average salary for restaurant managers in these areas is around $75,000 per year, about $5,300 a month, and just under $24 an hour. 

Salaries are higher in these areas because the cost of living is higher. So, before you offer a new manager $75,000 a year, consider pay trends in your specific location. 

Restaurant Manager Pay by Business Type 

How does restaurant manager pay vary by business type? Let's take a look: 

QSR (Quick-Service Restaurant) 

Quick-service restaurant managers oversee fast-food employees, monitor food quality to ensure customer satisfaction, and streamline processes to boost profitability. To handle these tasks, the average QSR manager is paid $40,456 a year, or roughly $19 an hour. Also, managers can usually earn bonuses for lowering food costs, increasing customer satisfaction, and more. 

FSR (Full-Service Restaurant) 

Full-service restaurant managers hire, train, and oversee employees at sit-down restaurants. They also help manage finances, ensure quality customer service, work with suppliers, and beyond. 

Fine dining establishments might employ multiple managers: one to oversee front of house (FOH) operations and another for back of house (BOH) operations. In this arrangement, FOH managers schedule and monitor waiters, greet customers and elevate their experience, and track finances to ensure profitability. BOH managers oversee the food prep staff, manage inventory, work to reduce food-related costs, and streamline cooking operations. 

The average salary for a manager at a casual restaurant is $69,466 per year, after a bonus. The average salary for a manager at an upscale dining establishment is $90,000. 

Chain vs. Independent Operators 

Chain restaurants usually offer higher base pay and better benefits packages to managers. Independent restaurants may offer more flexibility, but fewer long-term perks. Consider this when setting your food service manager's salary, benefits, workload, and proposed schedule. 

What Impacts Restaurant Manager Pay? 

Plenty of things can affect a restaurant manager's pay, such as years of experience, the size and popularity of the establishment, and more. Let's explore these key variables. 

Key Variables 

Experience and management background are important factors. Does your manager have a college degree or just a high school diploma? Have they ever managed a restaurant before or is this their first time holding this job title? More experience usually equals a higher salary. 

The size and popularity of your establishment matters too. How many employees will your manager oversee? How many guests does your restaurant serve on a weekly basis? How much revenue does your location earn each month? Your answers should impact your manager's compensation. 

Finally, will your manager be responsible for hiring, marketing, and inventory-related tasks? Consider the full scope of their job to choose an appropriate salary. 

Additional Perks and Benefits 

You might not need to pay your restaurant supervisor as much if you offer them a generous benefits package or other perks. Here are six ideas: 

1. Health Insurance: Health insurance can be expensive, so your manager might really appreciate this benefit. To save money, implement a wellness program to encourage healthy lifestyles or consider a health reimbursement arrangement (HRA). 
2. Retirement Plans: Allow managers to contribute a portion of their salary to a 401(k) or similar retirement account. Then match their contributions if possible. 
3. Paid Time Off (PTO): More than 50% of managers feel burned out every now and then. This is a problem because burnout leads to poor work performance. Offer hospitality management professionals PTO so they don't lose money when they vacation. This will encourage them to actually take time off, and doing so will help them do their best work. 
4. Flexible Scheduling: You'll attract more candidates if you offer flexible scheduling because most people want to control their time. So, allow your managers to set their own schedules (within reason, of course.)  
5. Meal Discounts: Many retail workers get a discount on store items. Take a page from their book and offer your managers a discount on the food your establishment serves.  
6. On-the-Job Training: Career advice and training can be a valuable perk—especially for people who don't have a postsecondary education. The chance to learn and improve their career potential will help you hire and retain quality managers. 

How to Use Manager Pay Data in Your Hiring Strategy 

We've shared a lot of information. How do you actually use it to improve your restaurant? Here are three tips to help you implement manager pay data into your hiring practices: 

1. Benchmark Against Local Competitors

What do comparable restaurants in your local area pay their managers? You can find this information by analyzing relevant labor statistics, reviewing your competitor's job listings, and even talking to past employees. Once you know what other food employers pay, you can determine your own pay structure. Try to at least match other restaurants' compensation packages. If possible, exceed these benchmarks to attract better workers and position your establishment as a leader in the local restaurant scene. 

2. Build Competitive Job Listings

Next, create quality job listings. You can do this by being honest about the role, responsibilities, expected salary, and benefits package. But don't forget to highlight other perks too, like a fun atmosphere, motivating team culture, or potential for career growth. These things can attract the right people, even if you can't pay as much as other companies. 

3. Retain Your Best Managers

Once you hire a great manager, do everything you can to keep them. Why? Because staff turnover is expensive and can seriously harm the guest experience. To keep your managers from bolting for similar careers outside your company, offer them annual raises and performance bonuses. Nothing says, "stick with me" quite like paying employees what they’re truly worth.

Also, find ways to promote your best managers. You can do this by giving them more responsibility—or even asking them to manage multiple locations (if applicable.) This will lead to greater success for all.

Restaurant Manager Salary Trends to Watch in 2025 

Food service manager compensation trends are changing. What these professionals expected a decade ago is different from what they expect today. Here are the main changes: 

Increasing Pressure to Pay More 

You need to pay your managers more than you used to. Thanks to inflation, higher living expenses, and the general acceptance of job-hopping, managers expect higher salaries these days. It’s also worth noting that you might be able to reduce pay by giving them other perks instead. For example, 44% of Millennials and Gen Z workers prioritize work-life balance. So, offering flexible schedules, paid time off, etc. will help you score top talent at a lower cost. 

Shift Toward Performance-Based Compensation 

More restaurants are embracing performance-based compensation, which enables managers to increase their income if they hit pre-determined targets. For instance, a manager who helps your restaurant meet its sales goals could earn a portion of the extra revenue. Store-level bonus pools can motivate managers too. At the end of the day, performance-based compensation works because both employers and employees benefit. 

Rise of Multi-Unit Management Roles 

Last but not least, management professionals often want to expand their careers. The best way for them to do this is to work for a restaurant with multiple locations. That way they can become a regional or district manager in the future. If you own a multi-unit restaurant, look for managers with strong work ethics, great problem-solving skills, and stellar results. Then offer them the opportunity to manage multiple restaurants for you. Just be aware that you'll need to pay them more to compensate for the additional responsibility. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Restaurant Manager Pay 

Restaurant manager compensation is a big topic, so you might have additional questions. Here are the ones we see the most, with our best answers: 

What is the highest paid restaurant manager role? 

The highest paid restaurant manager role is typically Director of Restaurant Operations, followed by Culinary Director and Restaurant Area Director. Though, compensation can vary widely based on location, experience level, and a host of other factors. For example, a Director of Restaurant Operations in Manchester, New Hampshire might not earn the same amount as a Director of Restaurant Operations in New Orleans, Louisiana—even if their jobs are the same. 

What's the average salary for a restaurant manager in the U.S. vs. Worldwide? 

The average salary for a restaurant manager is $60,317 in the United States. The average salary for a restaurant manager is $54,528 in London, $44,281 in Paris, and $51,742 in Tokyo. So, the United States tends to pay restaurant managers the best salaries. 

How do you negotiate for a higher salary as a restaurant manager? 

To negotiate for a higher salary as a restaurant manager, expand your skill set via courses and real-world experience. Then prove your worth by meeting goals the restaurant owner cares about, such as annual revenue and customer satisfaction scores. Also, consider asking for more benefits rather than higher pay if your employer refuses to increase your salary. This is a roundabout way to put more money in your pocket and might be more agreeable to your boss. 

What's the minimum salary for a restaurant manager? 

While there are always exceptions, most restaurant managers make at least $42,000 a year. The compensation you offer will depend on where you're located, the candidate's management experience, the responsibilities you give them, and a host of other factors. 

Do restaurant managers get bonuses? 

Every establishment is different, but yes, many restaurant managers earn bonuses. Said bonuses are typically given to managers who increase revenue and customer satisfaction, decrease costs, or hit other KPIs that the restaurant owner cares about. 

Know Your Market, Pay Strategically, and Attract Top Talent 

When you understand average pay for restaurant managers, you can offer competitive salaries and attract better talent. As such, this knowledge is extremely important. 

Just remember, paying an average salary is, well, average. If possible, do your best to exceed these benchmarks and give your restaurant a chance to hire top employees. If impossible, impress upon candidates the other perks of the position, like a great culture and potential for career growth. These things will help make your open manager role more attractive. 

Once you hire a great manager, do your best to retain them. Paytronix can ensure loyalty among staff members and guests. Learn how the Paytronix platform supports full-service restaurants and QSRs with top engagement tools. Book a demo today to learn more!