How to Write a Front of House Manager Cover Letter

Updated 28 March 2023

A front of house manager is a professional who's responsible for the entire front of house staff in a restaurant. Candidates typically submit a cover letter with their application when applying for these positions, so they can communicate their interest and demonstrate their value. If you plan to apply for a front of house manager job, it's important to know how to structure your cover letter effectively. In this article, we explain how to write a front of house manager cover letter, highlight some skills to include and provide a template and an example to help you write your own.

What is a front of house manager cover letter?

A front of house manager cover letter is a professional document that describes the qualifications you have that relate to being a front of house manager in the restaurant and hospitality industry. It encourages employers to consider you for the position and highlights your experience coordinating and supervising front of house teams, including servers, hosts, sommeliers and other employees who frequently greet diners and serve them their meals. You can also use a cover letter to explain how your previous positions helped you develop the skills necessary to become an effective manager.

How to create a cover letter for a front of house manager role

When applying for a position as a front of house manager, you can use your cover letter to complement your resume and encourage hiring managers to consider you for the role. It's important that you write a letter that's logical and easy to read. Your letter is your opportunity to highlight how your credentials align with the job's requirements and to explain in your own words why you're an ideal candidate.

The following list includes steps you can take to create a thoughtful and compelling cover letter for a role in front of house management:

1. Read the job description

Before you begin constructing your cover letter, it's often useful to review the job description to determine the specific qualifications to highlight. Depending on the restaurant or dining establishment, you may need a certain number of years of experience before you can submit your application. Whether you already have a few years of experience or you're an entry-level candidate, it's important to understand what employers expect of you, so you can write your cover letter accordingly.

2. Add your contact details

Most professional cover letters follow a business letter format, which includes your contact information at the top of your document, so employers can access it easily. Include your full name and phone number. Many employers use email to communicate with their preferred candidates, so it's also important to include a professional email address that you check regularly. Make sure that the information on your cover letter matches what's on your resume to avoid confusion. Below your contact details, add the date and a salutation on separate lines.

3. Introduce yourself

It's customary to begin your cover letter by introducing yourself to your potential employer and explaining your interest in becoming a front of house manager. Be sure to convey your excitement and interest in the role and express your gratitude to the employer for providing you with the opportunity to apply. You can also discuss how the opportunity aligns with your career goals and provide a brief overview of the experience you have working in the restaurant industry.

4. Explain your suitability

Use the main body of your letter to explain why you're the right person for the role. You can do this by detailing your previous experience and the skills you were able to develop. For example, if you have experience working as a front of house supervisor, you can discuss how the role allowed you to develop exceptional customer service skills. You can also demonstrate your knowledge of the restaurant industry by including terms that are specific to it. It can also be useful to identify keywords from the job advertisement to incorporate into your letter.

5. Thank the recipient

You can end your cover letter by thanking the recipient for their time and consideration. In addition, you can encourage them to follow up with you. For example, you could state your availability for an interview and mention your preferred method of contact. You can then close your letter with a professional sign off, such as Sincerely or Best regards. Before you submit your letter, it's important to review it to ensure that you followed the instructions in the job advertisement, as some employers may prefer your letter to be a specific length.

Skills to add to a front-of-house manager cover letter

An effective front of house manager requires several skills, so including some of these in your cover letter can help you further your appeal to employers. When discussing your skills, highlight the soft skills you gained from your experiences to demonstrate your ability to manage and interact with others professionally.

The following are some important skills you may include in a cover letter for a job as a front of house manager:

Leadership: As a front of house manager, it's important that you understand how to lead and motivate the front of house staff to complete their duties effectively.
Customer service: The ability to interact with diners regularly and ensure that they have all their needs met requires excellent customer service skills.
Multitasking: In your position as front of house manager, you have a variety of different duties, which range from supervising the serving staff to welcoming diners, so being able to manage multiple tasks at once is critical.
Organisation: Making sure that a restaurant operates efficiently and adheres to the proper food safety regulations often requires possessing strong organisational skills.
Communication: The ability to communicate with others and listen to their concerns, whether they're employees or diners, is necessary for ensuring that the restaurant remains profitable and accessible to all.

Template cover letter for a front of house manager

The following is a detailed cover letter template for a job as a front of house manager that you can use to help you draft your own:

[Full name], [Degree or certification if applicable]

[Phone number] | [Email address] | [Location]

[Date]

[Company name]

Dear [Hiring manager's title and last name],

I am writing to express my interest in the position of [job title] at [Company name]. With [years of relevant experience], I feel that I am an excellent fit for the role. I'm excited to get the opportunity to work at [Company name] because [describe your career goals].

I believe [describe your skills and experience] make me an excellent match for [job title]. [Elaborate on how your work experience and qualifications can benefit you in the role of front of house manager without repeating what's already on your resume.] [Highlight one or two relevant achievements in your previous positions.]

Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to the opportunity of working at [Company name], and I believe strongly in its values of [list a few values that align with your own]. If you have any questions about my experience, please feel free to contact me.

Best regards,

[Your signature]

Example cover letter for a front of house manager

The following is an example cover letter for a front of house manager position:

Nathan Brewer

+61 7 8646 2355 | nathan.brewer@email.com | Sydney, NSW 2015

May 26, 2022

Sweet Hippo Café

Dear Hiring Manager,

I am writing to express my interest in the position of front of house manager at the Sweet Hippo Café. With nine years of experience working in bakeries, hotel restaurants and cafés, I feel that I am an excellent fit for this role. I appreciate the commitment to high professional service standards at the Sweet Hippo Café, and I also feel that the position of front of house manager can help me further my career goal of becoming a general manager at a gourmet bakery.

I have excellent customer service, time management and organisational skills from working as a front of house manager in my previous positions. In my last position at Fuller Bakery, I managed over 20 full-time front of house employees and helped ensure that all guests received exceptional customer service. During my time there, we earned an average customer service rating of 4.9 out of five stars in local publications.

I greatly appreciate your time and consideration. I am excited at the prospect of working at the Sweet Hippo Café and getting the opportunity to support your mission of providing superior quality products to customers. If you have any questions about my skills or experience, you may contact me via phone or email. I hope to hear back from you soon.