close

Restaurant Captain Resume Examples & Templates

Looking to excel as a restaurant captain? Our restaurant captain resume examples showcase leadership, customer service, and teamwork skills that will help you stand out to employers.

Gabriela Hernandez
by Gabriela Hernandez CPRW, Career Advice Writer
Last Updated: November 9, 2025

Hired By:*

Endorsed by trusted media Endorsed by trusted media

Resume Template—Easy to Copy & Paste

Aya Yamamoto

Cedar Valley, MN 55128
(555)555-5555
Aya.Yamamoto@example.com

Professional Summary

Experienced Restaurant Captain boosting satisfaction by 25%. Expert in team leadership, customer service, and operational efficiency. Enhanced restaurant performance consistently.

Work History

Restaurant Captain
The Golden Plate - Cedar Valley, MN
June 2023 - October 2025

  • Increased customer satisfaction by 25%
  • Supervised team of 15 for seamless operations
  • Reduced service time by 10% with efficient strategies

Dining Supervisor
Maple Leaf Dining - Minneapolis, MN
May 2018 - May 2023

  • Enhanced dining experience score by 20%
  • Managed inventory, reducing waste by 15%
  • Trained 20 new employees in best practices

Lead Waiter
Sunset Grill - Minneapolis, MN
October 2016 - April 2018

  • Improved upselling techniques, boosting sales by 18%
  • Streamlined table setup procedures, saving 5 mins per table
  • Achieved top customer feedback scores consistently

Skills

  • Team Leadership
  • Customer Service
  • Inventory Management
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Upselling Techniques
  • Time Management
  • Operational Efficiency
  • Employee Training

Education

Master's Hospitality Management
University of Washington Seattle, Washington
June 2016

Bachelor's Business Administration
Washington State University Pullman, Washington
June 2014

Certifications

  • Certified Restaurant Supervisor - American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute
  • Food Safety Manager Certification - National Restaurant Association

Languages

  • Spanish - Beginner (A1)
  • French - Beginner (A1)
  • Italian - Beginner (A1)

Build Your Resume in Minutes

Creating a custom resume is easier than ever with our Resume Builder!

Make Your Resume

How to Write a Restaurant Captain Resume Summary

Your resume summary is the first thing employers will see, making it important to create a compelling introduction that highlights your qualifications. As a restaurant captain, you should focus on showcasing your leadership skills, customer service expertise, and ability to manage dining operations effectively.

This profession demands a mix of hospitality and operational knowledge, so emphasize experiences that demonstrate your capability in these areas. A well-crafted summary can set you apart from other job seekers.

To guide you in creating an compelling summary, here are some examples that illustrate effective strategies and common pitfalls:

Weak resume summary

I am an experienced restaurant captain looking for a position where I can contribute my skills and make a difference. I have worked in various restaurants and believe I can help improve operations. A place that values teamwork and offers room for advancement is what I seek.

Why this summary misses the mark:
  • The summary is vague about specific skills or accomplishments related to the role of restaurant captain
  • It emphasizes the job seeker's desires rather than highlighting their unique contributions or strengths
  • Generic phrases like 'make a difference' do not convey concrete abilities or experiences that would attract potential employers

Strong resume summary

Experienced restaurant captain with over 7 years in high-volume dining establishments, excelling in team leadership and customer service. Improved guest satisfaction scores by 20% through effective staff training and streamlined service processes. Proficient in POS systems, inventory management, and conflict resolution, ensuring smooth operations and a welcoming environment.

Why this summary works:
  • Begins with a clear indication of experience level and specific role within the restaurant industry
  • Highlights measurable achievements that demonstrate a positive impact on customer satisfaction
  • Showcases relevant skills that are important for the position, such as team leadership and operational efficiency
pro-tip icon

PRO TIP

If you don't have much formal experience yet, consider using a career objective on your resume. This allows you to highlight your passion and skills instead of focusing solely on job history. There are plenty of resume objective examples available to guide you in showcasing your strengths effectively.

Showcasing Your Work Experience

The work experience section is pivotal on your resume as a restaurant captain, where you'll share the bulk of your professional journey. Good resume templates always prioritize this section to highlight your relevant experience.

This part of your resume should be organized in reverse-chronological order, detailing each position you've held. Use bullet points to outline specific achievements and responsibilities that showcase your leadership and service skills.

To guide you further, we’ve included a couple of examples that illustrate effective entries for restaurant captains. These examples will help clarify what stands out and what you might want to avoid:

Weak work experience

Restaurant Captain

Gourmet Bistro – San Francisco, CA

  • Managed dining room operations.
  • Supervised staff during shifts.
  • Ensured customer satisfaction.
  • Handled reservations and seating.
Why this work experience section misses the mark:
  • Lacks specific employment dates to provide context
  • Bullet points are too general and do not highlight unique skills or achievements
  • Focuses on routine duties instead of effective contributions or metrics
Strong work experience

Restaurant Captain

La Bella Cucina – New York, NY

March 2020 - Present

  • Lead a team of servers in delivering exceptional dining experiences for up to 200 guests per night, ensuring high standards of service and guest satisfaction.
  • Implemented new training protocols, resulting in a 30% decrease in service errors and increased team efficiency.
  • Collaborated with kitchen staff to streamline communication between front and back of house, improving overall operational flow.
Why this work experience section works:
  • Starts each bullet point with powerful action verbs that clearly outline the applicant's achievements
  • Incorporates specific metrics that highlight improvements and contributions to the restaurant's success
  • Showcases relevant skills such as leadership, training, and collaboration essential for the role

Your resume summary and work experience are important, but don't overlook the other essential sections. To gain further insights into crafting a well-rounded resume, explore our detailed guide on how to write a resume.

Top Skills to Include on Your Resume

A well-defined skills section on your resume is important as it provides a snapshot of your qualifications. It helps hiring managers quickly identify if you possess the necessary capabilities for the restaurant captain role.

For this position, emphasize both technical skills and interpersonal abilities. Highlight tools like reservation systems, POS software, and staff management platforms to showcase your efficiency in managing operations and guest experiences.

Hard skills are essential technical abilities such as menu knowledge, food safety standards, and efficient service techniques that ensure smooth restaurant operations.

Soft skills include strong communication, leadership, and problem-solving abilities that foster teamwork and improve the dining experience for guests.

When selecting your resume skills, it's important to align them with what potential employers are seeking. Many organizations rely on automated systems to screen job seekers, making it essential that your resume skills meet these basic requirements.

To ensure you highlight the right abilities, review job postings carefully. They often provide valuable insights into which skills recruiters and ATS systems prioritize, helping you tailor your application effectively.

pro-tip icon

PRO TIP

Boost your resume's chances with our ATS Resume Checker, which identifies over 30 common mistakes to help you navigate applicant tracking systems with ease.

10 skills that appear on successful restaurant captain resumes

To grab the attention of recruiters, it's essential to highlight high-demand skills relevant to restaurant captain positions. These key skills can be seen in our resume examples, providing you with a roadmap to craft a standout application.

Here are 10 skills you should consider including in your resume if they fit your qualifications and role requirements:

  • 1

    Leadership

  • 2

    Team management

  • 3

    Customer service excellence

  • 4

    Conflict resolution

  • 5

    Attention to detail

  • 6

    Time management

  • 7

    Knowledge of food safety regulations

  • 8

    Menu planning and execution

  • 9

    Sales techniques

  • 10

    Effective communication

Based on analysis of 5,000+ food service professional resumes from 2023-2024

Resume Format Examples

Choosing the ideal resume format is important for a restaurant captain, as it effectively highlights your leadership abilities, service experience, and growth in the hospitality industry.

Entry-Level 0 - 2 years

Functional

Focuses on skills rather than previous jobs

Functional

Best for:

Recent graduates and career changers with limited experience in hospitality

Mid-Career 3 - 7 years

Combination

Balances skills and work history equally

Combination

Best for:

Mid-career professionals are focused on demonstrating their skills and seeking growth opportunities

Experienced 8+ years

Chronological

Emphasizes work history in reverse order

Chronological

Best for:

Leaders excelling in fine dining and team management

Frequently Asked Questions

Absolutely. Including a cover letter can improve your application by showcasing your personality and detailing how your skills align with the role. It’s a great opportunity to express your enthusiasm for the position. If you need help crafting one, consider using our Cover Letter Generator or checking out our comprehensive writing guide on how to write a cover letter for tips and examples.

When applying for jobs abroad, a CV is often preferred over a resume due to its comprehensive nature. To ensure your CV meets international standards, explore our extensive CV examples that demonstrate proper formatting and review our guide on how to write a CV for effective writing tips.

Soft skills such as communication, leadership, and problem-solving are essential for restaurant captains. These interpersonal skills build strong relationships with staff and guests, ensuring smooth operations and improving the overall dining experience.

Emphasize your transferable skills like customer service, teamwork, and communication when you're applying for restaurant captain roles. These skills are important for managing staff and ensuring a great dining experience, even if you lack direct industry experience. Use specific examples from your past work to show how you've effectively led teams or resolved conflicts.

To effectively format a cover letter for a restaurant captain position, begin with your contact details and a professional greeting. Follow this with an engaging introduction that highlights your passion for hospitality. Include specific experiences that align with the job description and conclude with a strong call to action, inviting the employer to discuss your qualifications further.

To increase your resume's visibility on LinkedIn, it's beneficial to add your resume to LinkedIn by uploading it directly to your profile or highlighting relevant experiences in the "About" and "Experience" sections. This approach helps restaurant managers and recruiters easily find skilled applicants like you while browsing for top talent in the industry.

About the Author

Gabriela Hernandez large profile photo

Gabriela Hernandez CPRW, Career Advice Writer

Gabriela is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and member of the Professional Association of Resume Writers & Career Coaches. She focuses on helping job seekers improve their professional resumes to highlight their unique skills and experience. Gabriela holds a B.A. in journalism from the University of Puerto Rico and offers more than four years of specialized experience helping candidates navigate the complexities of today’s online job market, with a strong focus on resume optimization and effective self-presentation.

Get Hired Faster

Join millions who’ve built resumes that land the job!

Make Your Resume

Featured in:*

Media features graphic LiveCareer

*The names and logos of the companies referred to in this page are all trademarks of their respective holders. Unless specifically stated otherwise, such references are not intended to imply any affiliation or association with LiveCareer.

Build Your Resume

Build a resume with LiveCareer

Build My Resume
Build My Cover Letter

Craft a Winning Cover Letter

Build My Cover Letter