The hospitality and tourism industry is large and dynamic, subject to the ebbs and flows of shifting consumer demands. However, seismic shifts in recent years have resulted in significant changes in the hospitality industry.
Today’s consumers are in search of authentic and immersive experiences — especially those that can connect them to flavors, cultures, and communities from around the world. Convenience also reigns supreme, with diners wanting their food delivered directly with minimal human contact.
According to EHL Insights, the hospitality industry is poised for significant growth in 2024, particularly within the online food delivery market. This subset of the industry is expected to enjoy an 11.47 percent compounded annual growth rate between now and 2028, with the sector expected to be worth above $1.79 trillion by 2028.
As a result, there is a heightened demand for skilled professionals who can employ creativity and ingenuity to accommodate the latest hospitality trends and move businesses into the future. Now may be the best time to consider transforming your passion for food into a successful restaurant and food service career.
What Is Hospitality Management?
Hospitality management is the broad field in which professionals manage the day-to-day operations of businesses within the hospitality industry, including hotels, restaurants, tour and activity providers, and entertainment facilities. Within the food and beverage service sector, key hospitality management responsibilities include:
- Managing finances
- Recruiting and retaining top talent
- Overseeing day-to-day operations
- Maintaining regulatory compliance, including implementing the best food safety and hygiene practices
- Improving business performance through hospitality revenue management
A comprehensive hospitality management degree program focused on restaurant and food service can provide you with the skills-based training you need to succeed in this dynamic industry. The world of culinary arts and business management is constantly changing, so it’s necessary to earn a degree that provides you with a solid foundation of universal business skills as well as a future-forward look at the sector.
Core Components of a Hospitality Management Degree
The best online hospitality management programs should provide students with an education rooted in the foundations of strategic business practices while highlighting subjects critical to hospitality industry careers in food service, such as:
Cuisine
Cuisine studies allow you to explore the ways cultural traditions are embedded in flavorful dishes from around the world. Through a hospitality management degree program, you can uncover the types of cuisine that appeal to you as a professional and ways to incorporate cuisine into your career.
Sanitation
Aspiring culinary professionals must study the most advanced sanitation methods to successfully launch their careers. Sanitation practices and techniques allow hospitality professionals to provide customers with a safe dining experience.
Menu Planning
Menu planning is not just a skill — it’s an art form that plays an integral role in a hospitality leadership training program, allowing aspiring professionals to learn more about the various considerations that must be made when creating a menu for a restaurant or an event, such as the budget, the scope of the menu, and the dietary needs and preferences of the target market segment.
Business Management
Universal business management skills, such as revenue management, marketing, organizational leadership, and accounting, are essential for anyone interested in a long and fulfilling hospitality career. The best hospitality management degree programs will provide a strong foundation in the best business practices while focusing on niche aspects of the restaurant and food service industry.
In addition to their degree program, students can explore certification programs that will allow them to specialize within the industry. For example, the ServSafe® Food Manager and ServSafe® Allergens certification programs provide aspiring professionals with in-depth food safety training and teaches them about the best way to accommodate food allergies and dietary preferences.
Career Paths in Hospitality Management*
There are a wide range of hospitality industry careers focused on restaurant and food service, allowing those who are passionate about cultural cuisine or restaurant management to pursue a career aligned with their interests.
According to the National Restaurant Association, some of the top food-related career paths in hospitality management include:
- Executive Chef — Considered to be a premier food industry leadership position, an executive chef is responsible for designing and implementing a restaurant’s menu. They often manage daily kitchen operations as well.
- Catering Manager — A catering manager often works at a restaurant or entertainment venue to coordinate catered events. They oversee the catering strategy, creating a diverse catering menu and developing a dynamic pricing strategy that drives revenue growth.
- Kitchen Manager — A kitchen manager often works alongside the executive chef to manage kitchen operations and oversee the kitchen staff members. The kitchen manager is responsible for quality assurance and ensuring all customers have a positive experience.
- Marketing Manager — A marketing manager in the restaurant and food service industry develops and implements marketing campaigns to raise awareness about the brand’s offerings, including creating traditional marketing materials, developing advertising campaigns, planning events, and implementing an effective social media strategy.
- Sommelier — Sommelier is a specialized position within the restaurant and food service industry responsible for developing a distinguished wine list to complement the menu created by the executive chef.
- To-Go Specialist — This position focuses on the takeout and delivery aspect of the restaurant and food service sector. A to-go specialist will develop a takeout menu and create a takeout and delivery process that streamlines efficiency while driving revenue growth.
By choosing a degree program that focuses on the specialized skills needed in restaurant and food service management, you could transition into the career field of your choosing after graduation. Degree programs emphasizing the importance of service excellence in hospitality and sustainable practices in hospitality will uniquely prepare you for the dynamic needs of today’s ever-changing restaurant and food service industry.
The Role of Practical Experience
Although there is a lot to learn within a hospitality management degree program, most students will find that the best way to develop the practical skills they need to thrive in this field is to pursue internship opportunities that provide technical training and real-world experience.
Internship and apprenticeship programs can help you develop the practical and soft skills required to succeed in this industry. According to Indeed, some of the most important hospitality business skills can be developed through practical experience include:
- Professionalism — Hospitality industry professionals often work in customer-facing positions in which they must manage the needs and demands of their customers. It can take patience and practice to develop the exceptional sense of professionalism required in this field.
- Multitasking — Restaurants and food service organizations are typically high-energy, lively places to work, but as a result, most professionals in the field must learn how to multitask well. By securing internship opportunities in the hospitality industry, you can put your knowledge and skills to the test in a real-world environment and work on your multitasking abilities.
- Attention to detail — When it comes to improving the customer experience, details matter. When you spend time working or training in a restaurant or food service environment, you will quickly notice the details that must be considered when planning a menu, managing customers, and developing a successful business plan.
At Florida Technical College, we provide our hospitality management students with the opportunity to explore experiential learning opportunities that will allow them to hone their culinary arts and business management skills.
Choosing the Right Hospitality Management Program
There are many factors to consider when choosing a hospitality management degree program. It’s vital to choose a hospitality management program from an accredited institution so you can feel confident you are receiving an education aligned with industry standards.
Focus on selecting a program that offers specialized coursework relevant to the restaurant and food service industry. By choosing a program that aligns with your personal and professional goals, you can pursue the hospitality industry career path that most intrigues you. Degree programs that offer a cohesive program structure and additional student support services will provide you with the comprehensive experience you need to launch a successful restaurant and food service career.
Earn Your Hospitality Management Degree at Florida Technical College
At Florida Technical College, we offer a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management in Restaurant and Food Service, allowing you to transform your passion for the culinary arts into a career. Our curriculum is anchored by the universal business and management practices required within any sector of the hospitality industry with a focus on the planning, managing, and marketing of restaurants, allowing you to carve out your niche within this growing industry.
Request more information about our hospitality management degree program today.
These examples are intended to serve only as a general guide of possible employment opportunities. There are many factors that determine the job an individual may obtain and Florida Technical College cannot guarantee its graduate any particular job. Some positions may require license or other certifications. We encourage you to research the requirements for the particular position you desire.
