Food Service Managers
Machines can already do 30% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 60%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Food Service Managers in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 30% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 0% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2032, and 60% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 238,430 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $69,390 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 91% for contact with people.
- Also called: Banquet Manager, Catering Manager, CDM (Certified Dietary Manager), Dining Service Director.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Perform some food preparation or service tasks, such as cooking, clearing tables, and serving food and drinks when necessary | 10% | 20% to 60% | |
| Monitor food preparation methods, portion sizes, and garnishing and presentation of food to ensure that food is prepared and presented in an acceptable manner | 10% | 40% to 80% | |
| Coordinate assignments of cooking personnel to ensure economical use of food and timely preparation | 6% | 10% to 27% | |
| Organize and direct worker training programs, resolve personnel problems, hire new staff, and evaluate employee performance in dining and lodging facilities | 6% | 18% to 38% | |
| Greet guests, escort them to their seats, and present them with menus and wine lists | 6% | 30% to 75% | |
| Investigate and resolve complaints regarding food quality, service, or accommodations | 5% | 85% to 87% | |
| Maintain food and equipment inventories, and keep inventory records | 5% | 20% to 60% | |
| Monitor budgets and payroll records, and review financial transactions to ensure that expenditures are authorized and budgeted | 5% | 10% to 27% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills food service managers use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers56% of tasks by 2035 · US median $79,860
- Chefs and Head Cooks43% of tasks by 2035 · US median $62,470
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers56% of tasks by 2035 · US median $44,080
- Opticians, Dispensing46% of tasks by 2035 · US median $47,260
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Food Service Managers?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2032. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of food service managers?
Machines can do 30% of the tasks of food service managers today and 60% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 11-9051.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Food Service Managers: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/food-service-managers/