Thursday, December 2, 2010

“Is my Restaurant Management Career doomed?”

I talk with restaurant managers daily who come to me for help in moving their career forward whose mindset  seems to be locked in “fear mode”  when it comes to the thinking about the future of the hospitality job market in our economy.
Relax guys and dolls! Latest reports show optimism when it comes to restaurant companies needing solid restaurant management talent. The National Restaurant Association reports in their latest “performance index”, which measures the health and out-look of the restaurant industry, a rise of .4% for September. The resulting index level was 100.7%, the strongest since Sept. of 2007. Restaurant operators are reporting same store sales gains of 44% in some cases during September. Many restaurants are reporting the first sales gains since 9/2007. Why the gains you ask? These gains are due to an improvement in “hiring conditions”.  And it’s during these improving economic conditions that sales improve in all segments of our industry. With increased sales comes increased need for talent.
We are now seeing the forward-looking hiring expectations index moving up steadily.  At Martin and Associates Restaurant Management Recruiting, we are extremely optimistic. Our partner clients are still seeking our help on a regular basis nationally. If you are a seasoned restaurant manager, and as the year comes to a close you are thinking about moving your career forward, we can help! For many of our clients, year- end only means that they are anticipating gearing up their hiring needs for new unit openings in the first quarter of the next year. Positions ranging from service managers, kitchen managers, assistant restaurant general managers and restaurant general managers abound and will continue to do so. Keep the faith hospitality professional! And when you faith wavers, let us be your restaurant management recruiting firm. We’re here to help.