HOSPITALITY & RESTAURANT OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT

Enrolling in Escoffier’s Hospitality & Restaurant Operations Management program is through our convenient online platform and usually takes just about 10 minutes to complete an application.

Our guide “How You Can Get into Culinary School” can provide an overview of the steps that you may need to take to enroll in Escoffier. You can also reach out to the Admissions Department for guidance during the process. We accept applications on a rolling basis, and submitting early improves your chances of getting your preferred start date and program.

To apply, you’ll need to provide:

• Your location and demographic details
• Emergency contact information
• Your chosen program
• Proof of graduation
• A valid driver’s license, passport, or photo ID.

After filling out the application, you’ll review and submit it. You will then receive an enrollment agreement packet via DocuSign. A representative from our Admissions Team will then contact you to discuss the next steps and financing options.

Financial aid is available for students who apply and qualify, and many students use various financing methods to fund their education.

If you are interested in studying hospitality online, Escoffier’s Hospitality & Restaurant Operations Management program can be a great option.

Escoffier’s Hospitality & Restaurant Operations Management program is completed entirely online with a hands-on industry externship, and is designed to provide you with the same critical skills and comprehensive knowledge as you would gain in an on-campus setting.

The flexibility of our online format allows you to study at your own pace and on your own schedule within the academic week, which can make it ideal for both working professionals and those looking to enter the hospitality field. Whether you’re aiming to enhance your current skills or pivot to a new career in hospitality, Escoffier’s online hospitality program can offer the expertise and convenience to help you succeed.

Learn more about how our online learning format works for hospitality & restaurant operations management here.

If you live outside of the U.S. and are interested in our Hospitality & Restaurant Operations Management program, we’re here to help! Visit our International Students page to learn about admissions, visa support, and everything you need to get started.

Certainly! Financial aid is available for students who apply and meet the eligibility requirements. During the 2022-2023 academic year, the majority of first-time postsecondary education students at Escoffier who applied and qualified received some form of financial assistance.*

*Data from the College Navigator at the National Center for Education Statistics shows that 59% of Boulder campus students entering postsecondary education for the first time in 2022-23 and who qualified, received some form of financial assistance.

If you are pursuing your hospitality degree at Escoffier, we encourage you to reach out to our Financial Aid Department to check your eligibility for grants or federally-backed loans.

Scholarships are available for online students at Escoffier who meet the application criteria, including options like the Work & Learn Scholarships, the Student Veteran Scholarship, and various merit-based scholarships.

Discover more about the scholarships you may be eligible for.

The online Associate of Occupational Studies in Hospitality and Restaurant Operations Management degree consists of 90 quarter credits and the estimated completion is 1,020 clock hours over 60 weeks.

Read more about the length of our programs here: How Long Does It Take to Finish Culinary School?

Note: All clock hours are based on average or expected time to complete an activity or category of activities. Some students may require more or less time to complete course requirements.

Earning an online hospitality degree can be considered worthwhile for many students, offering the flexibility to learn from almost anywhere with Internet access. This flexibility helps students to balance their education with other life commitments.

Hospitality programs like the one at Escoffier can provide a comprehensive curriculum, including hands-on industry externships that can prepare students for a variety of careers in the hospitality industry and restaurant operations.

Earning an online degree in hospitality and restaurant operations management offers numerous advantages over on-the-job training alone. In entry-level hospitality settings, employees may often perform repetitive tasks, which can restrict their exposure to the broader aspects of hospitality management. In contrast, an academic program can expand this scope, introducing students to a wide range of operational techniques and management strategies essential for running diverse hospitality venues. Holding a hospitality & restaurant operations management degree can also signal a candidate’s dedication to the profession, an important factor for employers during the hiring process. Hiring managers are on the lookout for committed individuals who are likely to remain with the organization long-term, and earning a degree can indicate a candidate’s serious commitment to their hospitality career.

Moreover, a school with a dedicated hospitality program can be a hotspot for networking. Employers often look to their professional networks when filling positions, and having a robust network of industry contacts from a school like Escoffier can be invaluable throughout your hospitality career.

For more insights into the benefits and considerations of a hospitality degree, check out our article on how a degree or diploma can propel your hospitality career.

Hospitality management is a vital sector within the hospitality industry, encompassing the management of day-to-day operations in diverse settings such as restaurants, hotels, resorts, catering companies, and cruise lines.

This field can involve managing the logistics of food and foodservice, including tasks such as ordering supplies, managing inventories, overseeing budgets, and planning and costing menus. It can also cover human resources functions, such as hiring, training, and managing both front-of-house and back-of-house staff at a restaurant. Additionally, these restaurant managers play a crucial customer-facing role, focusing on enhancing the guest experience to build loyalty and uphold high service standards.

You can read more about the ins and outs of a career in hospitality operations management here.

Hospitality management can be an excellent career choice, offering a variety of opportunities and career benefits. Depending on if your passions are a match for the field, a career in hospitality management can be highly rewarding due to its dynamic nature, the variety of skills you can develop, and the potential for career advancement.

The industry allows for creativity and personal interaction, making it ideal for those who enjoy working with people and providing excellent service. Additionally, with the global nature of hospitality, there can be opportunities for travel and working in diverse cultural settings. The industry is also known for its flexibility in terms of hours and the possibility of rapid advancement to higher managerial roles, providing a clear path for growth and success.

In summary, individuals with strong experience in hospitality management can be crucial for enhancing the guest experience, ensuring food safety and quality, hiring and training staff, and overseeing the financial performance of their establishment. This challenging but rewarding career path can offer opportunities for growth and development within the dynamic hospitality industry.

To learn more about if this career aligns with your interests, check out our blog post on “16 Careers in Hospitality Management You Can Pursue.”

With a degree in hospitality management, graduates can gain the knowledge to pursue a wide range of career paths within the hospitality industry. Some of these potential roles may include:

Restaurant Manager: Oversee the daily operations of a restaurant, manage staff, and ensure customer satisfaction.

Hotel Manager: Responsible for managing the overall operations of a hotel, including guest services, accommodations, and staff management.

Food and Beverage Director: Manage all aspects of the food and beverage provision within hotels, resorts, or other hospitality venues.

Event Planner: Plan and organize events, handling everything from logistics to execution to ensure events run smoothly.

Catering Services Manager: Oversee the operations of catering services, from planning menus to managing events.

Front Desk Manager: Manage the front desk operations, ensuring excellent guest service and addressing any issues that guests may have. These roles capitalize on the skills and knowledge gained through the hospitality management program, such as customer service, financial management, and operational logistics, helping graduates to thrive in various settings within the hospitality industry.

For more detailed information on careers in hospitality management, you can explore our article: Careers a Hospitality & Restaurant Operations Management Degree Can Prepare You For,

For a successful career in hospitality management, key skills include excellent customer service, strong communication, effective leadership, and proficient team management.

Organizational skills and attention to detail are also crucial for managing the complexities of hospitality operations. Additionally, the ability to solve problems quickly and efficiently is indispensable in this fast-paced industry. Developing these skills helps prepare you to handle the varied challenges of hospitality management and to ensure a high level of guest satisfaction.

A degree in Hospitality and Restaurant Operations Management from Escoffier can help students develop and refine these skills through focused coursework and practical experience.

Learn more about if hospitality management is a good career choice for you.

The hospitality sector continuously needs to adapt to new trends. Here are some of the latest trends and developments in hospitality management:

Customization: Personalizing the guest experience is becoming more critical. Hotels leverage data analytics to discern guest preferences, provide tailored recommendations, and craft distinctive experiences.

Technological Advances: Technology is crucial in enhancing both the guest experience and operational efficiency. Hotels are incorporating mobile applications, self-service check-in stations, automated room settings, and some even offer immersive virtual and augmented reality experiences.

Health and Wellness: A focus on the overall well-being of guests is evident with the introduction of wellness initiatives, meditation sessions, fitness centers, and nutritious dining options.

Environmental Responsibility: Hotels are adopting more sustainable practices by minimizing energy use, opting for eco-friendly materials, and engaging with local communities.

Bleisure Travel: The blending of business and leisure travel is growing due to the increase in remote work, leading travelers to extend business trips for leisure purposes.

Experiential Travel: In pursuit of unique and immersive travel experiences, hotels are offering specialized themes in rooms, culinary expeditions, and cultural activities.

Authentic Local Experiences: Hotels are partnering with local enterprises to offer genuine dining and cultural experiences that reflect the local heritage.

Support for Digital Nomads: With the rise of digital nomadism, hotels are providing accommodations for extended stays, co-working spaces, and amenities designed for those who work remotely.

Social Media: Hotels are utilizing social media to connect with guests, foster a sense of community, and highlight their distinctive features.

Contactless Operations: Hotels are moving towards contactless operations such as mobile check-in, app-based room service, and digital payment systems to enhance guest safety.

Hospitality management differs from traditional business management primarily in its focus on service excellence and customer satisfaction in sectors like hotels, restaurants, and travel. Additionally, hospitality managers often deal with a diverse, transient workforce and must exhibit strong cultural sensitivity due to the global nature of their clientele.

In contrast, traditional business management might focus more broadly on industries like manufacturing or retail, where the direct customer interaction and the emphasis on service delivery differ significantly. To learn more about the specific skills that hospitality managers use on the job, check out our blog post, “What Training Do You Need for a Career in the Hospitality Industry?”

For professionals in the hospitality industry, having a degree in hospitality and restaurant operations management from a school like Escoffier can provide a strong foundation for starting your career.

However, obtaining additional certifications may further enhance your knowledge.

Some examples include:

Certified Hospitality Supervisor (CHS): Offered by the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI), this certification is designed for hospitality supervisors to improve their management skills.

ServSafe Certification: Managed by the National Restaurant Association, ServSafe is a food and beverage safety training and certificate program for restaurant and foodservice professionals.

Certified Hotel Administrator (CHA): Also offered by the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI), the CHA certification is aimed at hotel managers and heads of operations to enhance their managerial skills.

TIPS Certification (Training for Intervention Procedures): TIPS is a skills-based training program designed to prevent intoxication, drunk driving, and underage drinking by enhancing the fundamental people skills of servers, sellers, and consumers of alcohol.

Certified Food and Beverage Executive (CFBE): This certification is also offered by the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute and is geared towards enhancing the skills and knowledge of food and beverage managers.

Hotel management and hospitality management are closely related fields, but they focus on different aspects of service and operations.

Hotel management specifically deals with the operational aspects of running a hotel, including front desk operations, housekeeping, reservations, and guest services. It involves the day-to-day management of a hotel and its staff, focusing on policies and strategies that enhance guest satisfaction and optimize the efficiency and profitability of the hotel property.

Hospitality management, on the other hand, is a broader field that encompasses not only hotels but also other types of businesses within the service industry, such as restaurants, casinos, and amusement parks. Hospitality management covers a wider range of skills and knowledge, focusing on overall guest experience across various platforms. It includes not only hotel management but also food and beverage management, event planning, and travel and tourism.

While hotel management can be seen as a subset of hospitality management, hospitality management spans a larger array of services.

If you’re interested in learning more, check out our article: Reasons Hotel Management Could Be a Good Career Option for You.

For those pursuing a career in hotel restaurant management, a degree from Escoffier can be highly beneficial. Our program can cover critical aspects of the industry such as customer service, financial oversight, and operational logistics, all of which are essential for managing a hotel restaurant successfully. The curriculum includes both theoretical learning and practical applications, preparing students to tackle real-world challenges in the hotel restaurant sector.

This well-rounded approach can give graduates the necessary skills to excel in various management roles in hotel restaurants.

Read further about how a degree can help kickstart your hospitality career.

Becoming a hotel manager requires a combination of education, experience, and personal skills. A key requirement is often obtaining a relevant educational background, typically a degree in hospitality and restaurant operations management, which provides foundational knowledge in hotel operations, customer service, and business management.

Experience in the hospitality industry is also crucial. Starting in entry-level positions and gradually moving up allows aspiring managers to gain practical insights and hands-on skills essential for managing a hotel effectively.

The challenges of becoming a hotel manager include the need to handle high-pressure situations and long hours, especially during peak tourist seasons or events. Hotel managers must also be adept at multitasking, managing diverse teams, and ensuring excellent guest satisfaction consistently. Moreover, they need to stay updated with the latest industry trends and technologies to keep the hotel competitive.

An Escoffier hospitality degree can enable students with the necessary skills and knowledge to meet these challenges, offering a blend of theoretical learning and practical training that helps prepare graduates for successful careers in hotel management.

You can read more about the steps to becoming a hotel manager in our guide: How to Become a Hotel Manager.

Yes, it is possible to work in the hospitality industry without a degree; many entry-level positions do not require formal education and offer on-the-job training.

However, pursuing a degree in hospitality and restaurant operations management can significantly enhance your knowledge, skills, and career prospects. While a degree does not guarantee a job, it can provide a comprehensive understanding of the industry, teach critical management skills, and demonstrate a committed professional attitude to potential employers.

Having a formal education can be particularly beneficial for advancing to higher-level positions, where a deeper understanding of business operations, customer service excellence, and employee management is crucial.

In the hospitality industry, certain roles tend to offer higher salaries, particularly in management positions that oversee significant aspects of operations. Here are some of the top-paying jobs within the hospitality sector:

Lodging Managers: These professionals manage the overall operation of lodging facilities, such as hotels and motels, ensuring guest satisfaction and overseeing business management. According to the BLS, the median annual wage for lodging managers was approximately $65,360 as of May 2023.

Food Service Managers: Responsible for the daily operation of restaurants and other establishments that prepare and serve food and beverages, these managers ensure efficient operations and quality service. The BLS reports that the median annual wage for food service managers was about $63,060 as of May 2023.

Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners: These individuals coordinate all aspects of events and professional meetings. They manage budgets, arrange locations, and ensure events run smoothly. The BLS states that the median annual wage for meeting, convention, and event planners was $56,920 as of May 2023.

These positions often require a combination of experience and formal education, such as a degree in hospitality and restaurant operations management, which provides a strong foundation in the necessary skills and knowledge for these roles.

A career in hospitality and tourism is considered a great choice for many, offering a variety of dynamic and fulfilling job opportunities. The hospitality industry is vast and includes diverse roles in sectors such as hotels, restaurants, travel, and tourism. This field is ideal for those who are passionate about service, enjoy working with people, and thrive in ever-changing environments.

Careers in hospitality and tourism are rewarding as they often involve creating memorable experiences for guests and clients. The industry is known for its potential for career advancement and the ability to work in beautiful locations around the world. Additionally, the skills learned in hospitality management are versatile and transferable, which can open doors to various roles within or outside the industry.

Check out our blog post for more information on the most important skills for a career in hospitality & tourism.

Pursuing a degree in hospitality and restaurant operations management can present challenges but is also incredibly rewarding. The difficulty of the program depends largely on your passion for the industry and your willingness to engage with the material. The curriculum covers a broad range of topics, from service management and customer relations to managing restaurant finances. Students are expected to participate actively in both theoretical coursework and practical applications, which can prepare them for real-world scenarios.

While the program is rigorous, it’s designed to be accessible to individuals with different levels of experience in the hospitality industry. With commitment and dedication, students can successfully navigate the courses, and Escoffier provides professional support to help students achieve their academic and professional goals.

This degree can not only prepare you with essential industry knowledge but also can enhance your leadership and operational skills, helping to make the challenges worthwhile for your career advancement.

Yes, it is possible to become a hotel manager without a degree; however, having a degree in hospitality and restaurant operations management may enhance your career prospects and effectiveness in the role.

A degree can provide a solid foundation in key areas such as management, customer service, and financial operations, which are crucial for successfully running a hotel. It can also equip you with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills that are essential for addressing the complex challenges of the hospitality industry.

Moreover, a degree can demonstrate to potential employers a serious commitment to the profession and a readiness to handle higher-level responsibilities more effectively.

For those aspiring to a career in hotel management, pursuing a hospitality degree from a school like Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts can open doors to numerous opportunities and help prepare you for long-term success in the hospitality industry.

To become a restaurant manager, it’s essential to combine hands-on restaurant experience with formal education. Working in various restaurant roles provides invaluable insights into daily operations and staff management.

Enhancing this practical experience with a degree in hospitality and restaurant operations management offers a deep dive into management principles, customer service, and strategic planning.

More importantly, Escoffier’s program includes an externship, giving you direct experience in a real-world setting, which is crucial for applying classroom knowledge and further developing your managerial skills. This blend of experience and education helps build a well-rounded foundation for a successful career in restaurant management.

For more details, explore Escoffier’s guide on becoming a restaurant manager here.

The average salary for a restaurant manager in the United States can differ significantly based on various factors, including experience, geographic location, and the specific type of restaurant they work for.

In the United States, the average salary for a food service manager is approximately $63,060 per year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics as of May 2023.

To speak with an advisor about our Hospitality & Restaurant Operations Management program, you can contact us through this form here.

You can also call the Admissions Department directly at 1-877-452-5489. Our advisors are ready to answer any questions you have about the program, admission requirements, or other details to help you make an informed decision about your hospitality education.