To make better restaurant, hospitality, and foodservice managers, educators and trainers need the best tools. The National Restaurant Association Solutions (NRA Solutions) offers the ManageFirst ProgramTM based on the needs voiced by the industry and the educators who serve it. The ManageFirst Program brings effective new approaches and content to help students achieve greater success in the real world. The program is designed to be comprehensive and highly relevant to prepare students for the needs of the restaurant, hospitality and foodservice industry today.

What is the ManageFirst Program?

The ManageFirst Program is a management development program which focuses on key competencies defined by more than 200 academics, operators, hiring managers and executives in the restaurant and foodservice industry.

The program is tailored to recognize student accomplishment and build a pipeline of quality talent for the restaurant, hospitality and foodservice industry. ManageFirst Program certificates are awarded for each ManageFirst exam passed* and students have the opportunity to earn the distinguished ManageFirst Professional (MFP ) credential upon successful completion of five defined program exams and the documentation of 800 hours of industry work experience.

ManageFirst Certificates

Participants in the ManageFirst Program earn ManageFirst Program certificates after passing the exam correlating to a ManageFirst topic. These certificates reward students for their accomplishment and serve as a resource to be used in the job search process. Further, industry hiring managers can look for these certificates when searching for top-shelf, qualified talent.

ManageFirst Professional (MFP) Credential

The ManageFirst Professional credential is a distinguished recognition endorsed by the National Restaurant Association Solutions. This credential represents both dedication and proven management skills. Those who earn the MFP have passed five required ManageFirst exams (including ServSafe) and accrued 800 hours of industry work experience. Seeing "ManageFirst Professional" or "MFP" on a resume indicates that the candidate has mastered key skills and has real-world experience. These candidates can hit the ground running.

ManageFirst Program Components:

The program includes the following:

  • 10 Competency Guides
  • Exams
  • Instructor Resources
  • Certificates
  • Credential
  • Scholarships
  • Support Activities and Services
  • ServSafe and ServSafe Alcohol *

*ServSafe and ServSafe Alcohol are part of the ManageFirst Program but not packaged as ManageFirst Program Competency Guides. For more information visit www.servsafe.com

ManageFirst Program Topics:

Each ManageFirst Competency Guides focuses on key management topics. The Competency Guides, ServSafe and ServSafe Alcohol are organized into the following ManageFirst subject areas. In order to receive the ManageFirst Professional (MFP) credential, a student must pass four Core Credential exams and one Foundation exam.

The ManageFirst Program topics are organized as follows:

Core Credential Topics

  • Controlling Foodservice Costs
  • Hospitality and Restaurant Management
  • Human Resources Management and Supervision
  • ServSafe

Foundation Topics

  • Customer Service
  • Food Production
  • Inventory and Purchasing
  • Managerial Accounting
  • Menu Marketing and Management
  • Nutrition
  • Restaurant Marketing
  • ServSafe Alcohol