Writing a strong cover letter requires close attention to detail, from the tone of voice to avoiding those pesky spelling or grammar mistakes.
Overlooking similar small details can weaken your application.
Many candidates also struggle with how to address the letter, often opting for 'Dear Sir or Madam' when they can’t find the correct contact. This can make your cover letter feel impersonal.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to perfect these crucial elements, ensuring your cover letter is polished and professional without relying on clichés.
Cover letter examples for restaurant general manager
Explore additional restaurant general manager cover letter samples and guides and see what works for your level of experience or role.
By Experience
Experienced Restaurant General Manager
- Highlighting significant leadership and team development skills by emphasising experience in managing and mentoring staff, leading to enhanced team performance and internal promotions.
- Demonstrating expertise in financial management by outlining achievements in cost-saving initiatives and profit margin improvements, which are crucial for a Restaurant General Manager role.
- Emphasising a strong track record in customer service excellence, as evidenced by high customer satisfaction rates and targeted service improvements, which are critical for maintaining and growing a restaurant's customer base.
- Showcasing adaptability and experience in various hospitality settings, supported by relevant education and certifications that strengthen credibility in handling diverse managerial challenges.
Trainee Restaurant General Manager
- Metrics and Achievements: The cover letter effectively uses specific metrics and achievements to quantify success, such as a 25% increase in customer satisfaction scores at McDonald's and reducing waste costs by 15%, providing concrete evidence of the candidate's impact.
- Relevant Experience: Highlights over 5 years of management experience in high-profile restaurant chains like McDonald's, KFC, and Starbucks, demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of operations in the hospitality sector.
- Specialised Education and Certifications: Emphasises a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management, alongside certifications like Food Safety Management, which are crucial for a role focused on operational and food safety compliance.
- Leadership and Staff Development: The cover letter underscores the candidate's leadership skills through successful staff training initiatives and achieving a high employee retention rate, indicating strong team-building capabilities.
Senior Restaurant General Manager
- Quantifiable Achievements: Rosie Gray clearly demonstrates success through specific, measurable outcomes, such as a £200K revenue growth strategy and a 15% increase in restaurant revenue, showcasing her ability to deliver financial results.
- Relevant Skills and Experience: Her skills in profit and loss analysis, conflict resolution, and client relationship building are directly relevant to her role as a Restaurant General Manager, making her a strong candidate.
- Leadership and Team Management: Rosie's experience in leading teams and enhancing productivity by 30% demonstrates her effective leadership abilities in a high-pressure environment.
- Focus on Premium Experiences: With specific achievements like executing bespoke dining events that increased customer engagement by 25%, she highlights her passion for luxury dining experiences, aligning well with the luxury restaurant sector.
Junior Restaurant General Manager
- Emphasising quantifiable achievements, such as driving a 20% sales increase through enhanced customer engagement strategies, showcases a strong track record of results-oriented performance.
- Highlighting skills in KPI management, team leadership, and customer service excellence aligns with key responsibilities of a Retail Deputy Manager role, demonstrating a well-rounded skillset.
- Including relevant certifications, like the Customer Service Excellence certification from Coursera, underlines a commitment to ongoing professional development and mastery in customer interaction.
- Featuring leadership and training experience, evidenced by managing a team of 20 staff and conducting weekly coaching sessions, aligns with essential functions of leading and motivating retail teams.
Interim Restaurant General Manager
- Customer Service Excellence: The cover letter emphasises a consistent improvement in customer satisfaction scores and successful initiatives in customer engagement, both key aspects for a Restaurant General Manager.
- Financial and Operational Management: Highlighting a specific percentage increase in profits and effectiveness of cost management strengthens the candidate's capability in achieving financial targets and operational efficiency.
- Staff Development and Retention: Demonstrating a substantial decrease in employee turnover and investment in staff training showcases leadership skills and commitment to workforce stability.
- Achievement-Oriented: The cover letter cites tangible achievements like a sales growth percentage, giving potential employers confidence in the applicant’s ability to deliver results and drive business success.
By Role
Assistant Restaurant General Manager
- Showcasing Leadership Skills: The cover letter effectively highlights Lily's strategic leadership abilities by mentioning her experience in leading teams and improving guest satisfaction scores. This is crucial for the role of an Assistant Restaurant Manager, where leadership and team management are pivotal.
- Emphasising Achievements: It mentions specific achievements, such as reducing food waste and increasing profitability, which demonstrate business acumen and operational effectiveness. These achievements are significant when applying for a management role in hospitality.
- Relevant Certifications and Courses: Highlighting courses like "Advanced Food & Beverage Management" from Cornell University shows a commitment to continuous learning and a focus on strategic operational management, which is beneficial for roles in luxury hospitality.
- Passion for Guest Experience: Expressing a passion for creating memorable guest experiences aligns well with the core objectives of hospitality roles, particularly in a customer-focused environment like The Savoy or The Ritz.
Deputy Restaurant General Manager
- Operational and Customer Service Expertise: The cover letter effectively highlights over a decade of management experience specifically tailored for optimisation in operations and customer satisfaction within the hospitality industry.
- Achievement-Focused Narrative: Concrete accomplishments, such as improving team performance by 20% and customer satisfaction rates reaching 95%, provide compelling evidence of the applicant's capabilities and leadership.
- Strategic and Financial Acumen: Demonstrates strong capabilities in managing a significant budget and executing cost-reduction strategies, showcasing financial management skills crucial for a senior operations role.
- Educational Background and Additional Courses: A solid foundation with an MBA paired with strategic and digital marketing course certifications enhances credibility and showcases a commitment to ongoing professional development aligned with industry trends.
Regional Restaurant General Manager
- Emphasise quantifiable achievements, such as the 15% increase in annual revenue and the 20% improvement in location performance, to demonstrate the tangible impact on the business.
- Highlight leadership and team-building skills, underscored by the success in coaching and promoting managers, which is crucial for a Regional Manager role focusing on team development.
- Include specific professional qualifications such as "NRA ServSafe Manager Certified" to reinforce credibility in restaurant operations and adherence to health regulations.
- Showcase strategic planning and financial analysis capabilities, supported by achievements in cost-saving and profitability enhancements.
Lead Restaurant General Manager
- Highlighting the candidate's leadership capabilities is crucial for a General Manager role; the cover letter effectively does this by noting their experience in leading a team of 40 staff members.
- The ability to improve customer satisfaction is directly addressed through specific achievements, such as increasing satisfaction scores by 20% and increasing branch revenue by 15%, which demonstrates the candidate's impact-oriented mindset.
- The mention of a safety excellence award reinforces the candidate's focus on safety, a critical component in operations excellence, making them a strong fit for roles that value rigorous health and safety protocols.
- Emphasising a passion for culinary innovation and community service aligns well with hospitality management roles, showcasing a comprehensive approach to enhancing dining experiences while maintaining community involvement.
By Industry
Restaurant General Manager in Fast Food Chain
- Highlighting Expertise and Achievements: The cover letter successfully details specific accomplishments, such as spearheading sales increases and inventory optimisation, which concretely demonstrate the applicant's impact in previous roles and their potential value to a new employer.
- Relevant Experience and Track Record: The inclusion of past roles with prominent restaurant chains and a clear record of leadership and improvements positions the applicant as a seasoned professional within the industry, lending credibility to their application.
- Leadership and Team Development: The applicant's focus on leadership skills and team-building initiatives resonates well with the restaurant management role, highlighting their capability to reduce turnover rates and maintain a motivated workforce.
- Certifications and Continuous Learning: Mentioning certifications like the Advanced Restaurant Operations course and Food Safety and Hygiene award showcases a commitment to professional development and staying informed about industry best practices.
Restaurant General Manager for Fine Dining
- Emphasises a significant improvement in customer satisfaction scores, showcasing a focus on tailor-made dining experiences and enhanced service standards, which are crucial in the fine dining industry.
- Highlights leadership experience by detailing team management and superior customer service accomplishments, drawing attention to skills critical for a General Manager role in hospitality.
- Mentions the successful implementation of strategic initiatives, such as effective local marketing and training programs, demonstrating a capacity for innovation and operational improvement.
- Includes relevant certifications, such as the Food Safety Level 3 from the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, indicating expertise in advanced food safety — an essential aspect of hospitality management.
Restaurant General Manager in Hotel Industry
- Emphasise the candidate's experience in operations management and guest relations, which are crucial for a Restaurant & Bar General Manager role.
- Highlight the track record of tangible achievements such as the 20% increase in customer satisfaction and 12% boost in sales, providing evidence of the candidate's impact.
- Mention the tailored staff development programme and innovative menu strategy as examples of leadership and creativity in improving service and profitability.
- Showcase the advanced education in hospitality management and specialised courses, such as "Advanced Food Safety," to underline the candidate’s expertise and commitment to high-level standards.
Restaurant General Manager in Casual Dining
- Highlighting Leadership and Team Development: Emphasising achievements in leadership and mentorship programs indicates strong management capabilities, crucial for a restaurant manager role.
- Quantifying Success with Metrics: Using specific percentages and figures to demonstrate improvements in customer satisfaction, sales, and operational costs helps measure the applicant's impact and success concretely.
- Showcasing Industry-Specific Knowledge: Detailing experience with inventory management and cost control strategies underlines the applicant's expertise in key areas of hospitality management.
- Emphasising Continuous Professional Development: Mentioning relevant courses and certifications, like the Advanced Restaurant Revenue Management from Cornell University, demonstrates a commitment to staying current in the field.
Restaurant General Manager in Pub and Bar
- Highlighting specific examples of successful initiatives, such as implementing customer service training that increased guest satisfaction and launching a seasonal menu to boost repeat customer rates.
- Emphasising the achievement of significant revenue growth and cost reductions outlines your ability to impact the financial success of an organisation.
- Showcasing advanced credentials, including a Master of Science in Hospitality Management and courses like "Advanced Leadership for Food & Beverage," underscores specialised expertise and commitment to professional development.
- Discussing passions for culinary innovation and sustainable practices aligns personal interests with professional goals, demonstrating genuine enthusiasm for the industry.
Restaurant General Manager in Coffee Shop
- Highlighting managerial success by mentioning the 20% revenue increase through strategic initiatives, demonstrating the candidate's ability to contribute significantly to business growth.
- Emphasising specific achievements such as the development of high-performing teams and customer satisfaction improvements, which are critical in hospitality management for ensuring high-quality guest experiences.
- Showcasing the candidate’s educational background with an MBA, relevant to the role, which strengthens credibility in applying strategic business concepts in a practical, hospitality-oriented environment.
- Mentioning certifications like the "Certified Hospitality Supervisor," which reinforce the candidate’s specialised knowledge in hospitality leadership, making her a competitive applicant for a managerial role.
Restaurant General Manager in Catering Business
- Quantifiable Achievements: Emphasises results-driven performance, such as increasing client satisfaction by 15% and reducing incidents by 40%, which is significant for a managerial role seeking to showcase impact.
- Leadership and Team Management: Highlights ability to lead and improve team productivity by 30%, which is critical for a General Catering Manager as it showcases strong leadership and motivational skills.
- Sustainable Practices: Demonstrates a commitment to sustainable food services, such as a 50% increase in locally sourced ingredients, aligning with current industry trends and ethical priorities.
- Diverse Skill Sets: Offers a mix of skills from catering management to strategic leadership, supported by relevant certifications, which enhances credibility and expertise in the culinary management field.
Restaurant General Manager in Bistro
- Highlighting Leadership and Growth Skills: The cover letter effectively showcases Daisy Shaw's leadership skills and experience in driving business growth, crucial for a role that involves team leadership and revenue management.
- Quantifiable Achievements: The use of specific numbers and percentages to illustrate achievements, such as increasing profit margins by 30% and sales growth by 15%, adds credibility and emphasis on the candidate's ability to deliver measurable results.
- Industry-Specific Experience: The cover letter emphasises relevant experience from well-known companies in the same industry (hospitality and coffee service), enhancing Daisy Shaw's credibility and suitability for a similar role.
- Education and Certifications in Alignment: The inclusion of an MBA and certifications related to hospitality leadership highlights the candidate's formal education background and specialised skills, which are important for a management position.
Restaurant General Manager for Food Truck Business
- Highlighting Relevant Experience: The cover letter effectively showcases the candidate's experience in cinema management roles, detailing specific achievements such as increasing sales and customer satisfaction, which are critical in a General Manager role.
- Quantifiable Achievements: Providing specific metrics, such as a 25% increase in customer satisfaction and a 20% boost in footfall, strengthens the impact of the candidate's accomplishments and demonstrates their effective leadership.
- Relevant Education and Certifications: The inclusion of a Master's degree in Business Administration and a Health and Safety Compliance Certification shows that the candidate is well-equipped with both theoretical knowledge and industry-specific training, relevant for management roles.
- Focus on Key Skills: Emphasising skills like team leadership, budgeting, and customer service, along with experience in health and safety compliance and stock management, underscores the candidate's capability to manage operations efficiently.
Restaurant General Manager in Gastro Pub
- Emphasising the candidate's proven track record in leading strategic initiatives, such as the £1.2 million renovation project at Fuller's, showcases their capability to enhance operations and boost customer engagement.
- Highlighting specific achievements like a 25% increase in annual turnover and a 40% increase in customer footfall underlines the candidate's skills in driving revenue growth and operational efficiency.
- Detailing relevant certifications, such as the 'Certified P&L Management Specialist', reassures employers of the candidate's competency in managing financial operations and developing cost control strategies.
- Emphasising leadership in fostering community engagement and winning awards for service excellence positions the candidate as someone who values and drives a strong team and community-oriented culture.
Restaurant General Manager in Bakery and Cafe
- Highlighting significant achievements such as a 20% sales increase and employee turnover reduction emphasises the candidate's impact-driven approach and managerial competence.
- Emphasising certifications like the Advanced Barista Techniques from the Speciality Coffee Association underlines the candidate's expertise in coffee artistry, directly relevant to a role in the café industry.
- Mentioning the Master of Business Administration qualification showcases advanced managerial training, beneficial for a strategic leadership role such as a Café General Manager.
- Detailing specific projects and initiatives, such as waste reduction and sustainability, indicates forward-thinking and a proactive stance in operational excellence and environmental responsibility.
Restaurant General Manager cover letter example
Finley Robinson
Reading, UK
+44 1234 567890
help@enhancv.com
Dear Hiring Manager,
I am writing to express my interest in the Restaurant Manager position at your company, as I have been following your innovative approach in redefining dining experiences. My research shows that your ethos aligns with my own professional values and my dedication to enhancing customer satisfaction and business performance.
One of my most impactful achievements as a Senior Restaurant Manager at The Fat Duck was leading a menu overhaul that resulted in a 25% increase in average customer spend. This initiative involved close collaboration with the head chef and demonstrated my ability to integrate strategic planning and innovative thinking to drive significant business results. Through a data-driven approach, I ensured the revamped menu not only met customer preferences but also aligned with financial expectations, showcasing my leadership and financial acumen.
I would welcome the opportunity to further discuss how my background, skills, and achievements align with the goals of your team. Please feel free to reach out to schedule an interview at your convenience. Thank you for considering my application, and I look forward to the possibility of contributing to your esteemed company.
Sincerely,
Finley Robinson, Experienced Restaurant Manager
How this cover letter gets it right:
- Highlight Relevant Achievements: Emphasize specific accomplishments that demonstrate your ability to achieve tangible results, such as leading a menu overhaul that increases customer spend. This illustrates your capability to apply strategic planning and innovative thinking in the restaurant industry.
- Align with Company Values: Ensure your cover letter reflects the company's values and mission. Mentioning alignment with their ethos not only personalizes your application but also shows that you understand their approach to redefining dining experiences.
- Demonstrate Leadership and Financial Acumen: Mention your experience in collaborating with team members, such as chefs, and coordinating financial and strategic planning. This shows your capability to lead a team effectively while maintaining a strong focus on the financial aspects of the business.
- Invite Further Discussion: Express eagerness to discuss your qualifications in more detail. This not only keeps the door open for further communication but also shows your enthusiasm for the role.
Importance of cover letters in the United Kingdom
Cover letters provide recruiters with the opportunity to learn more about your career aspirations, hinting at how you’d integrate within the organisation over the long term.
Here are three additional reasons why cover letters are important:
- Making an excellent first impression (and a formal introduction): Your cover letter is often the employer’s first introduction to you, showcasing your personality, communication skills, and motivation for the role.
- Complementing your career history: While your CV lists qualifications and experience, a cover letter provides the context, explaining how your background fits the role.
- Demonstrates your genuine interest: A well-crafted cover letter reflects the effort you’ve put into researching the company and role as well as your attention to detail.
What UK employers expect from a cover letter
When writing your cover letter for a UK employer, it’s important to keep several things in mind. First, you need to conduct a thorough research, which includes reading up on the company’s website, recent news, and their presence on social media. Understanding the company’s latest achievements and its overall mission will allow you to tailor your letter to their specific needs.
Next, focus on the company’s core values. Whether they value teamwork, innovation, or community involvement, highlighting how your own experience aligns with these principles is essential.
Finally, don’t forget to match your skills to the job’s requirements. Study the job description carefully and pick out the most important qualifications or competencies. Then, provide evidence of how you meet those criteria with concrete examples from your past work experience.
How to format a restaurant general manager cover letter
Keep in mind that your cover letter is intended for the recruiters' eyes only, not for the Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) software that aligns your job application with role requirements. That's why it's essential to concentrate on the quality of the content and presentation to make a memorable first impression.
Don’t forget to include:
- Your address and contact details
- The employer’s name and address
- Date
- Greeting
- Introductory paragraph
- Body paragraphs
- Closing paragraph
- Sign-off and signature
Now for some formatting tips and tricks: choose modern fonts such as Rubik, Volkhov, or Raleway instead of traditional ones like Arial. Keep your cover letter single-spaced with margins of around 1-inch (2.5 cm). To maintain a professional and consistent look, ensure that both your CV and cover letter use the same font style.
Lastly, always send your cover letter as a PDF to preserve its formatting and prevent any edits once it's sent, ensuring your design and layout remain intact for the recruiters.
How to write your restaurant general manager cover letter salutation
In a world of AI and instant prompts, taking the extra time to personalise your cover letter truly makes a difference.
Address the hiring manager directly with a customised greeting (e.g., 'Dear Mr Bond', 'Dear Ms Penny').
You can often find their name on LinkedIn (under the job listing or by searching) or in the ‘About’ or ‘Meet the Team’ section of the company's website. If in doubt, you can also contact the reception for assistance.
If you can't find the name, rather than using 'Dear Sir or Madam', opt for something more personal, such as 'Dear [Company Name] Hiring Manager'.
How to write your restaurant general manager cover letter intro
One of the best ways to grab a hiring manager's attention? Show them the unique value you'd add to the team.
Review the skills or requirements listed in the posting and draw connections to your previous work experiences.
Focus on specific (and quantifiable) accomplishments and qualifications that align with the job description to make a strong first impression.
Cover Letter Intro
Having followed The Green Plate's journey in championing local ingredients and sustainable dining, I am drawn to the opportunity to bring my decade-long experience in restaurant leadership to your esteemed team as General Manager. Your dedication to culinary innovation and community engagement resonates with my professional values, and I am eager to contribute to your continued success.
RIGHT
How to write your restaurant general manager cover letter body
You’ve personalised your greeting and introduction—now it’s time to focus on writing the body of your cover letter.
Instead of listing off skills and responsibilities from your CV, focus on one career highlight that’s relevant to the role.
Use your hard and soft skills, success metrics (e.g., percentages or sales figures), and the long-term impact it had on the company.
A concise, well-told story centred on your value as a candidate will make a strong impression.
Cover Letter Body
During my tenure as Assistant General Manager at The Culinary Haven, I spearheaded a transformative turnaround in our customer satisfaction metrics, which had been previously waning. By implementing a robust staff training programme focusing on service excellence and operational efficiency, I increased our customer satisfaction scores by 30% over a six-month period, as measured by our regular guest feedback surveys. This comprehensive programme not only enhanced the dining experience but also significantly bolstered our repeat clientele by 20%. This achievement was rooted in my skills in strategic planning and team leadership, which I believe are critical in a role as influential as that of a General Manager.
RIGHT
How to write a closing paragraph
There’s a wrong and a right way to close your cover letter. Here’s how.
The wrong way is to end with a signature or a formal 'Thank you in advance.'
The right way is to either promise how you’d make a positive impact on the company or ask when you can expect a response. This will highlight you as a forward-thinking candidate who’s enthusiastic about securing the role.
Cover Letter Closing
In conclusion, I am genuinely excited about the opportunity to bring my extensive experience in restaurant management to your esteemed establishment. I am confident in my ability to contribute positively to your team and drive the continued success of your restaurant. I warmly invite you to schedule an interview at your earliest convenience to discuss how my skills and passion align with the goals of your restaurant. Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the possibility of contributing to your team and am eager to further discuss my potential fit for this role.
RIGHT
Conclusion
A standout cover letter is crucial for making an strong impression in your job search in the UK market. Personalise your letter by addressing it to the hiring manager and aligning your skills with the job description.
Use concrete examples to highlight your greatest achievement and convey your enthusiasm for the position. Finally, ensure that both your cover letter and CV are presented professionally for a consistent application.
