Restaurant Manager Resume Example for Jobs in Jeddah (Saudi Arabia)

Restaurant Manager Job Market in Jeddah

Jeddah's restaurant industry is experiencing its most significant expansion in decades, fueled by Vision 2030's tourism ambitions, the liberalization of entertainment and dining culture, and Saudi Arabia's young, consumption-driven population. As the commercial capital of the Western Province and the gateway city for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims, Jeddah supports a restaurant market that ranges from luxury hotel dining rooms and independent fine dining restaurants to sprawling casual dining franchises, quick-service chains, and the booming cloud kitchen sector. This diversity creates robust and varied demand for restaurant managers who can deliver exceptional guest experiences while driving operational profitability.

The scale of growth is substantial. Saudi Arabia's food service market is one of the fastest-growing in the GCC, with Jeddah capturing a significant share of new restaurant openings due to its cosmopolitan population and tourism traffic. The Corniche waterfront development has transformed the city's dining landscape, with new restaurant clusters attracting both Saudi families and international visitors. Jeddah's North Obhur area, Al Hamra district, and the historical Al Balad quarter have emerged as distinct dining destinations, each with different concept profiles that require managers with varied skill sets.

International franchise operators represent a major employment segment for restaurant managers in Jeddah. Groups like Alshaya operate dozens of international brand restaurants including The Cheesecake Factory, P.F. Chang's, and Shake Shack, each requiring experienced managers to maintain global brand standards while adapting to Saudi consumer preferences. Similarly, homegrown Saudi chains like Herfy Food Services (one of the largest burger chains in the Middle East with hundreds of outlets), Kudu (a Saudi-founded sandwich and coffee concept), and Al Baik (the legendary Jeddah-born fried chicken chain) employ significant numbers of restaurant managers across their operations.

The hotel restaurant segment adds another substantial layer of opportunity. Jeddah's luxury hotels, including Park Hyatt, Rosewood, Hilton, and InterContinental, each operate multiple F&B outlets requiring dedicated restaurant managers. Hotel-based positions often offer more structured career paths, comprehensive benefit packages, and international brand exposure compared to independent restaurant roles. The upcoming Red Sea Global resort developments along the coast northwest of Jeddah will create dozens of new hotel restaurant management positions over the next several years.

An emerging trend reshaping Jeddah's restaurant management landscape is the growth of restaurant groups and multi-concept operators. Saudi and regional investors are increasingly developing portfolios of dining concepts under single ownership entities, creating demand for restaurant managers who can operate across different concept types and potentially progress to multi-unit management or operations director roles. This consolidation trend means that a strong restaurant management track record in Jeddah can lead to rapid career advancement.

Why Jeddah for Restaurant Management Careers

Jeddah offers compelling reasons for restaurant managers to build their careers in the city, combining financial advantages with professional growth opportunities that few other markets can match.

The zero personal income tax in Saudi Arabia is the most immediate financial benefit. A restaurant manager earning SAR 14,000-22,000 monthly takes home every riyal, compared to losing 20-35% to taxes in markets like the UK, Australia, or Singapore. When combined with employer-provided housing allowances and the relatively moderate cost of living in Jeddah compared to Dubai or Riyadh, restaurant managers can build savings at a pace that would be challenging in Western hospitality markets where the profession is notoriously underpaid relative to its demands.

Career acceleration is another significant advantage. Jeddah's restaurant sector is growing faster than the supply of experienced managers, which means promotion timelines are compressed. An assistant restaurant manager in a mature market like London might wait 3-5 years for a general manager opportunity, while the same professional in Jeddah could achieve that promotion within 18-24 months as new concepts open and existing operations expand. Multi-unit management and operations director opportunities are increasingly available for managers who demonstrate strong performance across their first Jeddah assignment.

The professional development dimension is significant. Managing a restaurant in Jeddah develops capabilities that are highly transferable globally. The multicultural workforce (teams typically include staff from 8-12 nationalities), the need to adapt international concepts to local cultural expectations (no alcohol, halal operations, family dining focus), and the seasonal demand extremes (Ramadan, Hajj, Jeddah Season) create a management challenge that builds resilience, adaptability, and cross-cultural leadership skills. Restaurant managers who succeed in Jeddah are attractive to employers worldwide.

Jeddah's lifestyle also deserves recognition. The city offers a more relaxed atmosphere than Riyadh, with the Red Sea coastline providing diving, beach, and water sports activities. The dining-out culture is vibrant, which means restaurant managers are part of a valued and growing industry. The Jeddah food community is tight-knit, with regular industry events, supplier showcases, and informal networking that can accelerate career connections.

Top Employers Hiring Restaurant Managers in Jeddah

Jeddah's restaurant management job market includes international franchise operators, Saudi-founded chains, luxury hotel groups, and independent restaurant concepts, each offering distinct career environments.

Alshaya Group — one of the largest franchise operators in the Middle East, Alshaya operates internationally recognized restaurant brands across Saudi Arabia including The Cheesecake Factory, P.F. Chang's, Shake Shack, Raising Cane's, and several other concepts. Restaurant managers at Alshaya benefit from structured training programs based on the franchisor's global standards, clear career progression paths from assistant manager to general manager to area manager, competitive compensation packages, and the professional development resources of a multi-billion dollar organization. Alshaya's Jeddah operations span high-footfall mall locations, standalone restaurants, and food court concepts.

Park Hyatt Jeddah - Marina, Club & Spa — as one of Jeddah's premier luxury hotels, Park Hyatt operates multiple distinctive dining outlets requiring experienced restaurant managers who can deliver five-star service standards. Managers at Park Hyatt work in an environment where attention to detail, guest recognition, and service choreography are paramount. The Hyatt brand offers global mobility for high-performing managers, international training programs, and cross-property development opportunities across the Middle East and beyond.

Herfy Food Services — the Saudi-listed company operates one of the largest burger and fast-casual restaurant chains in the Middle East, with extensive operations across Jeddah. Restaurant managers at Herfy manage high-volume, high-efficiency operations with annual revenues often exceeding SAR 5 million per unit. The company's publicly traded status means performance expectations are rigorously measured, but compensation and benefits are competitive, with clear promotion paths to area management and regional operations roles.

Kudu — a Saudi-founded restaurant chain with hundreds of locations across the Kingdom, Kudu serves breakfast, sandwiches, and beverages in a fast-casual format. Restaurant managers at Kudu manage the complexity of high-volume operations with extended operating hours (many locations open from early morning through late night). The brand's growth trajectory creates consistent demand for managers at all levels, and the company has invested significantly in management training programs and career development infrastructure.

Karam Al-Sham — this Syrian-concept restaurant chain has established itself as one of the most successful casual dining brands in Saudi Arabia, with multiple high-performing locations in Jeddah. Restaurant managers at Karam Al-Sham manage large-format restaurants that combine traditional Levantine cuisine with family-oriented dining experiences. The brand's focus on generous hospitality and consistent food quality requires managers who can train and motivate large service teams while managing complex kitchen-to-table operations.

Beyond these named employers, Jeddah hosts dozens of independent restaurants operated by Saudi investors and chef-entrepreneurs, many of which offer restaurant managers significant autonomy, direct owner relationships, and the opportunity to shape dining concepts from the ground up.

City-Specific Resume Tips for Jeddah

Creating a restaurant manager resume for Jeddah requires understanding what Saudi F&B employers prioritize and how local market dynamics differ from Western hospitality markets.

Include a professional photograph. A professional headshot is expected on all CVs submitted to Saudi hospitality employers. Choose a photo in business-casual attire with a clean background. Omitting a photo is a common mistake by Western applicants that can result in your application being deprioritized.

Lead with P&L achievements. Saudi restaurant employers prioritize commercial acumen. Open your experience section with revenue figures: annual restaurant revenue managed (e.g., SAR 6.2 million annual revenue), profit margins achieved, same-store sales growth percentages, average check increases, and labor cost optimization results. Use SAR for Saudi experience and USD or your local currency for international experience. The ability to demonstrate that you drive profitability, not just operational compliance, distinguishes top candidates.

Highlight non-alcohol F&B management experience. Saudi Arabia prohibits alcohol, which fundamentally changes the restaurant economics and service model. If you have managed restaurants in alcohol-free environments, developed successful mocktail or specialty beverage programs, or maximized beverage revenue without alcohol sales, this experience is directly relevant and should be prominently featured. Restaurant managers accustomed to alcohol-driven revenue models need to demonstrate they can deliver strong results through food-led profitability strategies.

Demonstrate Saudization contribution. Nitaqat (Saudization) compliance is a critical operational requirement for all restaurant operators in Saudi Arabia. If you have experience recruiting, training, and retaining Saudi national staff, managing Saudization quotas, or developing local talent pipeline programs, include specific details and outcomes. Even without direct Saudi experience, highlight any track record of developing local workforce talent or managing nationalization programs in other GCC countries.

Showcase family dining and cultural competency. Jeddah's restaurant culture is centered on family dining. Highlight experience managing family-friendly operations, designing service flows that accommodate multi-generational groups, creating children's programs, and managing privacy expectations. Understanding Ramadan service patterns (iftar and suhoor), prayer time operational adjustments, and segregated seating management (where applicable) signals market readiness.

Quantify team management metrics. Include specific numbers: team sizes managed, staff turnover rates achieved (particularly if below industry average), number of staff promoted under your leadership, training programs implemented, and mystery shopper or guest satisfaction scores. Saudi hospitality employers are investing heavily in service quality improvement and value managers who can develop teams.

State your availability and visa status. Specify whether you hold a valid Saudi iqama, are available for immediate start, or need visa processing time. Restaurant openings and management transitions often create urgent hiring needs, and candidates who can start quickly have significant advantages.

Salary Expectations in Jeddah

Restaurant manager salaries in Jeddah vary based on establishment type, brand tier, restaurant volume, and the manager's experience and language capabilities. As of 2026, here are typical monthly salary ranges in SAR.

Assistant Restaurant Manager (1-3 years management experience): SAR 7,000-11,000 per month. Supporting roles in franchise restaurants, hotel F&B outlets, or casual dining concepts. These positions focus on shift management, team supervision, and operational standards compliance. Benefits typically include housing allowance, meals, and health insurance.

Restaurant Manager (3-7 years management experience): SAR 10,000-16,000 per month. Full P&L responsibility for a single restaurant unit. This is the core demand bracket in Jeddah, with the strongest demand from franchise operators like Alshaya and Saudi chain operators like Herfy and Kudu. High-performing managers at premium concepts can exceed this range through performance bonuses.

Senior Restaurant Manager / General Manager (7-12 years management experience): SAR 16,000-22,000 per month. Leadership roles at luxury hotel restaurants, high-volume flagship locations, or premium independent concepts. These positions involve strategic planning, team development, vendor negotiation, and guest relationship management at the highest level. Annual bonuses of 1-3 months salary are common.

Area Manager / Multi-Unit Manager (10+ years experience): SAR 22,000-32,000+ per month. Overseeing 5-15 restaurant units across Jeddah and potentially the Western Province. These roles combine strategic operations management with team development, financial planning, and brand development responsibilities. Companies like Alshaya, Herfy, and emerging restaurant groups actively recruit for these positions as they expand.

Standard benefits beyond base salary include housing allowances (SAR 2,000-5,000 monthly depending on level and employer), annual return flights for employee and dependents, comprehensive health insurance, meals during working hours, annual performance bonuses, and end-of-service gratuity per Saudi labor law (half month salary per year for years 1-5, one full month per year thereafter). Some employers offer car allowances, mobile phone allowances, and dining discounts across their restaurant portfolio.

Arabic-speaking restaurant managers command premiums of SAR 2,000-4,000 monthly over non-Arabic speakers, reflecting the operational advantage of communicating directly with Saudi guests, Arabic-speaking team members, and local government authorities.

Work Culture for Restaurant Managers in Jeddah

Restaurant management in Jeddah operates within a cultural framework that differs from Western markets in several important ways that directly impact daily operations and management approach.

Working hours and peak periods — the standard Saudi work week is Sunday to Thursday, but restaurants operate seven days a week with peak business on Thursday evenings and Friday (the weekend). Restaurant managers typically work 5-6 day weeks on rotating schedules. Peak dining hours in Jeddah skew later than Western norms, with dinner service often running from 8:00 PM to midnight or later, reflecting Saudi cultural preferences for evening socializing. During Ramadan, the entire dining pattern inverts: restaurants are closed during daytime fasting hours and become extremely busy from iftar (sunset) through suhoor (pre-dawn), often operating until 3:00-4:00 AM. Managers must plan staffing, inventory, and energy management around this dramatic seasonal shift.

Family-centric dining culture — Saudi dining culture revolves around family gatherings, and restaurants in Jeddah are designed to accommodate large multi-generational groups. Many restaurants maintain family sections with private dining rooms and booth seating that offers privacy. Restaurant managers must train service teams to provide attentive but respectful service that honors family privacy expectations while maintaining operational efficiency.

Multicultural workforce management — a typical Jeddah restaurant employs staff from 6-10 different nationalities, including team members from India, the Philippines, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Egypt, and other Arab countries. Communication is primarily in English, with Arabic used for Saudi team members and guests. Successful restaurant managers develop cultural intelligence, adapt their management styles to different cultural expectations, and create inclusive team environments that maintain high service standards across diverse backgrounds.

Prayer time operations — restaurants in Jeddah observe prayer times, during which some establishments may pause service briefly or reduce capacity as Muslim staff members pray. Restaurant managers plan service flow and staffing to minimize guest disruption during prayer breaks. This operational rhythm is unique to Saudi Arabia and requires scheduling expertise that accounts for prayer times that shift slightly each day throughout the year.

Visa and Work Permit Guide for Restaurant Managers

Restaurant managers require valid Saudi employment visas to work in Jeddah. The hospitality sector benefits from supportive visa policies aligned with Vision 2030's tourism growth targets.

Standard employment visa process — your employer sponsors the entire visa process. The typical flow involves the employer obtaining a block visa allocation from the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, issuance of a visa authorization number, your visit to the nearest Saudi Embassy or consulate for visa stamping, entry to Saudi Arabia, mandatory medical examination (blood tests, chest X-ray, and general health screening), biometric registration at the Jawazat office, and issuance of your iqama (residency card). Large employers like Alshaya Group and hotel chains have dedicated PRO (Public Relations Officer) teams that manage this process efficiently, typically completing it in 4-6 weeks from job offer acceptance.

Saudization and Nitaqat compliance — all restaurant operators in Saudi Arabia must comply with Nitaqat, the Saudization quota system that requires a minimum percentage of Saudi national employees based on company size and sector. Restaurant managers should understand that their employer's Nitaqat category (platinum, green, yellow, or red) affects employee visa processing speed and labor mobility. Managers who actively support Saudization through Saudi staff recruitment, training, and retention programs are valued by employers because they help maintain favorable Nitaqat ratings that enable continued expatriate hiring.

Labor mobility reforms — Saudi Arabia has introduced labor market reforms that allow employees to transfer between employers more easily than under the previous kafala system. These reforms apply to employees whose contracts have expired or who are in companies with unfavorable Nitaqat ratings. Restaurant managers benefit from increased job market flexibility, though most changes still require notice periods and proper procedures.

Document requirements — ensure all educational certificates and professional qualifications are attested through your home country's foreign ministry and the Saudi Embassy before departure. Hospitality management diplomas, food safety certifications (HACCP, ServSafe), and experience letters from previous employers should be authenticated. Arabic translations of key documents may be required. Police clearance certificates from your country of residence are standard requirements.

Contract terms — Saudi labor law specifies a two-year initial contract for foreign workers, a probation period of up to 90 days, and mandatory end-of-service gratuity. Health insurance is mandatory, and employers cannot charge visa processing costs to employees. Restaurant managers should negotiate housing allowance, annual flights, and meal provisions as part of their contract, as these vary between employers.

Jeddah-Tailored Restaurant Manager Resume Section

Professional Summary

Performance-driven Restaurant Manager with 7+ years of progressive F&B management experience across franchise, luxury hotel, and independent dining operations in the GCC region. Currently based in Jeddah with a valid Saudi iqama and transferable residency status. Proven track record of managing restaurants generating SAR 7+ million annual revenue, achieving 15% year-over-year sales growth, and maintaining food costs below 29% through disciplined procurement and waste management. Expert in non-alcohol F&B operations, halal compliance, and Saudization program execution with demonstrated success developing Saudi national team members into supervisory roles. Fluent in English and conversational Arabic with ServSafe and HACCP certifications.

Work Experience

Restaurant General Manager — Alshaya Group / The Cheesecake Factory (Red Sea Mall, Jeddah)

February 2022 - Present

• Manage full P&L for the highest-grossing Cheesecake Factory location in the Western Province, achieving SAR 8.2 million annual revenue and 18% net operating profit, exceeding company benchmarks by 4 percentage points
• Lead a team of 62 front-of-house and back-of-house staff across 8 nationalities, maintaining staff turnover at 28% against an industry average of 45% through structured onboarding, continuous training, and team engagement programs
• Implemented a guest experience optimization program that increased TripAdvisor ratings from 3.8 to 4.5 stars and improved internal mystery shopper scores from 82% to 94% over 18 months
• Developed and executed the Ramadan operations strategy including modified iftar and suhoor menus, adjusted staffing models, and targeted marketing campaigns that drove 35% revenue increase during the holy month compared to the previous year
• Achieved Nitaqat green zone compliance by recruiting and developing 11 Saudi national team members, with 3 promoted to shift supervisor roles within 12 months through a structured mentoring and skills development program

Assistant Restaurant Manager — Park Hyatt Jeddah (Jeddah, Saudi Arabia)

July 2019 - January 2022

• Managed daily operations of the 120-seat signature restaurant serving contemporary Mediterranean cuisine, coordinating service flow for 180+ covers nightly across indoor dining, terrace seating, and private dining rooms
• Developed a comprehensive mocktail and specialty beverage program that generated SAR 1.8 million in annual non-alcoholic beverage revenue, achieving a 72% beverage margin and winning the Hyatt regional innovation award
• Coordinated 85+ private dining events and banquets including VIP Saudi National Day celebrations, corporate gala dinners, and Ramadan iftar programs for groups of 50-400 guests, achieving 98% client satisfaction ratings
• Trained and certified 24 service team members in Park Hyatt's signature service standards, implementing daily pre-shift briefings and weekly skills workshops that improved guest satisfaction scores from 87% to 96%
• Managed supplier relationships with 15+ local and international vendors, negotiating annual contracts that reduced procurement costs by 8% while improving ingredient quality and delivery reliability

Jeddah-Specific Cover Letter Guidance

When applying for restaurant management positions in Jeddah, your cover letter must demonstrate both operational expertise and cultural understanding of the Saudi dining market. Open by identifying specific aspects of the restaurant or company that attracted your application, whether that is the brand's growth trajectory, a recent concept launch, or the company's reputation within Jeddah's dining community. This specificity signals genuine interest rather than a mass application approach.

Address the unique operational dimensions of Jeddah restaurant management directly. Discuss your experience with non-alcohol F&B operations and how you have driven beverage revenue through creative mocktail programs and specialty drinks. Explain your approach to managing Ramadan operations, including the dramatic shift in service patterns, menu adaptation for iftar and suhoor, and staffing challenges during the holy month. If you have experience with prayer time service flow management and family-oriented dining operations, detail these capabilities explicitly.

Demonstrate your Saudization commitment. Explain specific examples of recruiting, training, and developing Saudi national team members, including any programs you have created to attract young Saudis into hospitality careers. This is a critical operational requirement that directly impacts the employer's Nitaqat compliance, and candidates who can contribute to Saudization goals are strongly preferred. Close with clear information about your visa status, availability, and salary expectations in SAR to facilitate efficient recruitment processing.