Top 11 Cafe Manager Certifications

Certifications are important for a cafe manager in the job market because they demonstrate that they have achieved a certain level of knowledge and skills in the field. Certifications from reputable organizations show potential employers that the applicant is knowledgeable about business operations, customer service, food safety, and other aspects of running a successful cafe. Furthermore, certifications provide applicants with an advantage over those who do not possess them when competing for jobs. As such, certifications can be an important factor in helping cafe managers stand out from the competition and increase their chances of securing a job.

The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the top certifications for Cafe Managers and explain how these certifications can help enhance and advance a Cafe Manager's career.

What are Cafe Manager Certifications?

Cafe Manager Certification is a professional certification program designed to recognize the knowledge and skills required to effectively manage a cafe or restaurant. This certification program provides a comprehensive curriculum that covers all aspects of managing an eatery, including topics such as customer service, operations management, menu planning, marketing, and financial management. By completing this certification program, cafe managers can demonstrate their expertise in the field and gain credibility with potential employers. This certification can also be helpful for those who are looking to start their own business in the food industry by providing them with the necessary knowledge and skills to successfully manage a cafe or restaurant. Additionally, this certification may help cafe managers stay up-to-date on trends in the industry, which can help them better serve their customers and remain competitive in the market.

Pro Tip: When considering a cafe manager certification, look for programs that offer hands-on experience as part of the certification. This will give you the opportunity to practice and hone your skills in a real-world setting. This can also help you build relationships with potential employers and increase your chances of being hired.

Related: What does a Cafe Manager do?

Top 11 Cafe Manager Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Cafe Managers today.

1. Certified Food and Beverage Manager (CFBM)

A Certified Food and Beverage Manager (CFBM) is a professional designation that demonstrates a level of knowledge and expertise in the food and beverage industry. It is granted by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF). The CFBM certification is designed to help individuals develop the skills needed to manage a successful food and beverage business.

To become certified, applicants must have at least two years of experience in the food and beverage industry, plus an additional year of related education or training. Applicants must also pass an exam administered by the NRAEF. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions covering topics such as food safety, nutrition, customer service, marketing, finance, human resources management, operations management, and more.

The cost for the CFBM certification varies depending on whether you take the online or in-person exam. The online exam costs $250 while the in-person exam costs $350. Additionally, there may be additional fees for study materials or other services associated with taking the exam.

It typically takes about three weeks to receive your results after taking the CFBM exam. Once you have passed the exam and received your certification, it is valid for five years before needing to be renewed.

2. Certified Hospitality Supervisor (CHS)

Certified Hospitality Supervisor (CHS) is a professional certification program offered by the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI). The CHS certification is designed to recognize hospitality supervisors who have demonstrated knowledge of the best practices in hospitality supervision. It is intended to help supervisors develop the skills and knowledge necessary to lead their teams effectively.

It typically takes about three months to complete the CHS certification program, although it can be completed in as little as two months if you are able to dedicate more time and effort. The program consists of online coursework, an online exam, and a hands-on practicum. The cost for the entire program is $595 USD.

To get certified, you must first register for the CHS program on AHLEI’s website. After registering, you will receive access to the online course materials which cover topics such as customer service, leadership, human resources management, and financial management. Once you have completed all of the coursework and passed the online exam with a score of 75% or higher, you will be eligible to take part in a hands-on practicum at an approved AHLEI facility. Upon successful completion of this practicum, you will receive your CHS certification from AHLEI.

3. Certified Barista Trainer (CBT)

A Certified Barista Trainer (CBT) is a professional who has been trained and certified to teach barista skills to others. The CBT program is designed to provide baristas with the knowledge and skills needed to become successful in the coffee industry.

The CBT program takes approximately six months to complete, depending on the individual's learning pace. It consists of four levels: basic, intermediate, advanced, and specialty. Each level focuses on different aspects of coffee-making such as grinding, tamping, espresso extraction, milk steaming and latte art.

To get certified as a CBT, individuals must first complete an online application form and submit it to the Coffee Quality Institute (CQI). Once approved by CQI, applicants must attend a two-day intensive training course at an authorized training center. Upon completion of the course, they must pass an exam administered by CQI in order to receive their certification.

The cost of becoming a Certified Barista Trainer varies depending on the training center chosen but typically ranges from $1,500 - $2,500 USD for the entire program.

4. Certified Professional Food Manager (CPFM)

Certified Professional Food Manager (CPFM) is a certification program offered by the National Restaurant Association (NRA). This certification is designed to provide foodservice professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to ensure safe food handling practices in their operations. The CPFM program is recognized by many local and state health departments as an accepted form of food safety training.

The CPFM program consists of two parts: an online course and a proctored exam. The online course covers topics such as food safety regulations, sanitation, personal hygiene, temperature control, pest control, and HACCP principles. It typically takes 8-10 hours to complete the online course. After completing the course, you must pass a proctored exam in order to become certified. The exam consists of 75 multiple-choice questions and must be completed within 2 hours.

To get certified, you must first register for the CPFM program through the NRA website. The cost of registration varies depending on your location but generally ranges from $150-$200 USD. Once registered, you can begin taking the online course and then schedule your proctored exam at a testing site near you. After passing the exam, you will receive your official CPFM certificate from the NRA.

5. ServSafe Manager Certification

ServSafe Manager Certification is a food safety certification program offered by the National Restaurant Association (NRA). It is designed to help restaurant managers understand and implement food safety practices in order to protect customers from foodborne illness. The certification includes an 8-hour course, which covers topics such as food safety regulations, personal hygiene, cross-contamination prevention, time/temperature control, cleaning and sanitizing, and pest control. After completing the course, participants must pass an exam in order to receive their ServSafe Manager Certification.

The 8-hour course can be taken online or in person at a variety of locations across the United States. Online courses typically take about 8 hours to complete, while in-person classes may take up to 16 hours depending on the instructor. The exam must be taken at a proctored testing center and takes about two hours to complete.

The cost of ServSafe Manager Certification varies by location but typically ranges from $100-$200 for the course and exam combined. Some states may require additional fees or certifications for certain types of restaurants or foodservice operations.

Once certified, ServSafe Managers must renew their certification every 5 years by either taking a refresher course or retaking the full 8-hour course and passing the exam again.

6. National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) Management Certificate Program

The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) Management Certificate Program is a comprehensive program designed to help restaurant professionals develop their management skills and advance their careers. The program is designed to provide participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to become successful in the restaurant industry.

The program consists of four courses: Food Service Management, Human Resources Management, Financial Management, and Operations Management. Each course is offered online and takes approximately 30 hours to complete. Upon completion of all four courses, participants will receive a NRAEF Management Certificate.

The cost of the program varies depending on the number of courses taken at once. For example, if you take all four courses at once, it will cost $599. If you take one course at a time, it will cost $199 per course.

To get started with the NRAEF Management Certificate Program, you must first register for an account on the NRAEF website and then select which courses you would like to take. Once you have selected your courses, you can begin learning right away!

7. Professional Bartender Certification

Professional Bartender Certification is a certification program that provides bartenders with the knowledge and skills needed to become successful in their field. The certification is offered by various organizations, such as the National Bartenders Association (NBA), and typically takes between six and twelve weeks to complete.

The program covers topics such as alcohol safety, customer service, drink mixing techniques, bar setup and maintenance, and more. Students will also learn how to properly pour drinks, mix cocktails, and make garnishes. Upon completion of the program, students will receive a certificate of completion.

In order to get certified as a professional bartender, an individual must first complete an accredited bartending course. These courses can be found online or at local community colleges or vocational schools. After completing the coursework, individuals must pass an exam in order to receive their certification.

The cost of Professional Bartender Certification varies depending on the organization offering it. Generally speaking, most programs cost between $200-$500 USD for the entire course. Additionally, some organizations may require additional fees for exams or other materials associated with the certification process.

8. International Council on Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education (ICHRIE) Café Manager Certificate

The International Council on Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education (ICHRIE) Café Manager Certificate is a professional certification program designed to provide café managers with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively manage a café. The program consists of four online courses that cover topics such as customer service, food safety, financial management, and marketing. The courses are self-paced and can be completed in approximately 8-10 hours.

To get the ICHRIE Café Manager Certificate, individuals must successfully complete all four courses. Upon completion of the program, participants will receive their official certificate from ICHRIE.

The cost for the ICHRIE Café Manager Certificate is $399 USD. This fee covers all four courses and the certificate upon successful completion of the program.

9. American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI) Café Management Certificate

The American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI) Café Management Certificate is a professional certification program designed to give café managers the knowledge and skills they need to successfully manage a café. The program consists of three courses: Café Management Basics, Advanced Café Management, and Café Management Leadership. Each course takes approximately 15 hours to complete and covers topics such as customer service, menu planning, cost control, marketing, and operations management.

To get the AHLEI Café Management Certificate, students must complete all three courses with a passing grade of 70% or higher. Students can take the courses online at their own pace or in-person through one of AHLEI’s approved training providers.

The cost for the AHLEI Café Management Certificate is $299 USD for the online version or $399 USD for the in-person version.

10. National Coffee Association of USA Barista Certification

The National Coffee Association of USA Barista Certification is a professional certification program designed to recognize the knowledge and skills of baristas in the United States. The program is administered by the National Coffee Association (NCA) and is based on the NCA’s Barista Competency Standards, which are recognized as industry standards for coffee service excellence.

To become certified, baristas must complete a comprehensive training program that covers topics such as customer service, espresso preparation and extraction, milk steaming and texturing, beverage presentation, equipment maintenance, and more. The program consists of both online training modules and hands-on practical assessments. Upon successful completion of the coursework and assessments, baristas will receive an official NCA Barista Certificate.

The entire certification process typically takes between 8-10 weeks to complete. To get started, interested candidates must first register online with the NCA at their website. Once registered, they can access all of the online course material needed to prepare for their certification exams. After completing all required coursework and exams, candidates will be issued their official certification from the NCA.

The cost for this certification program varies depending on where you live in the United States; however most programs cost between $200 - $400 USD per person. This fee covers all course materials as well as access to practice tests prior to taking your final exam.

11. Specialty Coffee Association of America Barista Certification

The Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA) Barista Certification is a program designed to recognize and reward baristas who demonstrate excellence in the preparation and service of specialty coffee. This certification is the only one of its kind that is recognized by the SCAA, and it requires a series of tests and assessments to earn.

The certification process consists of two parts: an online course and an in-person assessment. The online course covers topics such as coffee history, brewing methods, espresso extraction, milk steaming, customer service, and more. It takes approximately 8 hours to complete the online course.

Once the online course is completed, baristas must take an in-person assessment at an approved testing center. The assessment consists of practical skills such as grinding coffee beans, making espresso drinks, steaming milk for cappuccinos and lattes, as well as customer service skills such as taking orders correctly and providing excellent customer service. The assessment takes about 4 hours to complete.

To get certified, baristas must pass both the online course and in-person assessment with a score of 80% or higher. The cost for the SCAA Barista Certification is $250 USD per person for members ($350 USD non-members).

Do You Really Need a Cafe Manager Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on what type of cafe you plan to manage and your individual experience. If you are managing a large, high-volume cafe, then a cafe manager certificate may be beneficial in order to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of the industry. Having a certificate can show potential employers that you have been trained in the specific skills needed to successfully manage a cafe.

On the other hand, if you are managing a small, low-volume cafe or have prior experience in the food service industry, then a certificate may not be necessary. In these cases, having practical experience and knowledge of how cafes work may be more important than having a certificate.

In conclusion, whether or not you need a cafe manager certificate will depend on your individual circumstances. If you are new to the industry or managing a larger business, then having a certification could give employers confidence in your ability to do the job. However, if you already have relevant experience or are managing smaller business then it may not be necessary.

Related: Cafe Manager Resume Examples

FAQs About Cafe Manager Certifications

1. What is a Cafe Manager Certification?

Answer: A Cafe Manager Certification is a professional credential that validates an individual's knowledge and skills in managing a cafe or coffee shop. It demonstrates their ability to effectively manage the day-to-day operations of a cafe, including budgeting, staffing, customer service, and food safety.

2. What are the benefits of obtaining a Cafe Manager Certification?

Answer: Obtaining a Cafe Manager Certification can give you an edge over other job applicants, provide recognition for your expertise in the field, and may even lead to higher wages or promotions. Additionally, having this certification will show potential employers that you have the necessary knowledge and skills to successfully manage a cafe.

3. How do I become certified as a Cafe Manager?

Answer: To become certified as a Cafe Manager, you must complete an accredited training course that covers topics such as budgeting, staffing, customer service, food safety regulations and more. Once you have completed the training course and passed all required exams, you will be awarded your certification.

4. How long does it take to get certified as a Cafe Manager?

Answer: The amount of time it takes to obtain your certification will depend on the type of program you choose and how much time you dedicate to studying for the exams. Generally speaking, most programs require between 10-20 hours of study time before taking the final exam.

5. Are there any prerequisites for becoming certified as a Cafe Manager?

Answer: While there are no specific prerequisites for becoming certified as a Cafe Manager, it is recommended that individuals have some experience working in cafes or restaurants prior to enrolling in any training program. Additionally, those who are seeking certification should possess strong communication skills and be comfortable with using technology such as point-of-sale systems or other software programs used in cafes or restaurants.