by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Restaurant/Food Services Management involves the study of Restaurant/food Services Management. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Plan, Manage, And Market Restaurants, Food Services In Hospitality Establishments, Food Service Chains And Franchise Networks, And Restaurant Supply Operations. Includes Instruction In Hospitality Administration, Food Services Management, Wholesale Logistics And Distribution, Franchise Operations, Business Networking, Personnel Management, Culinary Arts, Business Planning And Capitalization, Food Industry Operations, Marketing And Retailing, Business Law And Regulations, Finance, And Professional Standards And Ethics. Read on to learn the key facts every restaurant/food services management student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering restaurant/food services management programs.
In the U.S., restaurant/food services management is a widely-pursued major, with 730 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Restaurant/Food Services Management Schools ranking analyzes these 46 schools to determine the best overall colleges for restaurant/food services management students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of restaurant/food services management programs later in this article.
Coursework for Restaurant/Food Services Management develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations restaurant/food services management graduates commonly enter.
The skill set developed in a restaurant/food services management program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a restaurant/food services management major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several restaurant/food services management degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 99 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 67 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 316 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 246 |
People currently working in careers related to restaurant/food services management tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 30.9% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 19.9% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 16.9% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 14.1% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 13.3% |
| Some college courses | 5.0% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in restaurant/food services management careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in restaurant/food services management can lead to a variety of career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to restaurant/food services management.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to restaurant/food services management.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Food Service Managers | 397,799 | 7.7% |
| Lodging Managers | 219,858 | 14.8% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of restaurant/food services management graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $35,616 |
| 4 years | $42,558 |
| 5 years | $47,733 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for restaurant/food services management graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers restaurant/food services management grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Food Service Managers | $165,782 |
| Lodging Managers | $95,461 |
With 46 different restaurant/food services management programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased restaurant/food services management school rankings to help you.
Students interested in restaurant/food services management, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Hospitality Administration/Management, General | 8,041 |
| Hotel/Motel Administration/Management | 1,734 |
| Tourism and Travel Services Management | 921 |
| Meeting and Event Planning | 730 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management, Other | 584 |
| Hotel, Motel, and Restaurant Management | 432 |
| Resort Management | 130 |
| Casino Management | 23 |
| Brewery/Brewpub Operations/Management | 8 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
