What Does a Restaurant Owner Do?

Restaurant owners are responsible for the day-to-day operations of their business. They oversee everything from hiring and training staff to purchasing supplies, managing finances, marketing, and more.

The success of a restaurant is largely dependent on its owner—they’re the driving force behind every decision that impacts the business. This includes everything from menu planning and recipe selection to staffing decisions and budgeting for new equipment or renovations.

Restaurant Owner Job Duties

Restaurant owners have a wide range of responsibilities, which can include:

• Training new employees and providing them with on-the-job training to ensure that they are able to perform their jobs safely and efficiently
• Establishing relationships with suppliers to ensure the restaurant has access to the products it needs to operate efficiently
• Reviewing financial statements and sales reports to monitor business performance and make adjustments where necessary
• Maintaining an inventory of food items to ensure that there is always enough for customers to purchase without running out
• Scheduling staff members’ shifts and making sure that they are aware of their schedules
• Supervising employees’ work performance and addressing performance issues as they arise
• Training employees in food preparation techniques, including cooking methods and food safety practices
• Overseeing the restaurant’s operation, including hiring and firing staff members and maintaining inventory levels of supplies
• Providing customer service by greeting patrons, seating them in booths or at tables, and serving food and beverages

Restaurant Owner Salary & Outlook

Restaurant owners’ salaries vary depending on their level of education, years of experience, and the size and location of the restaurant. They may also earn additional compensation in the form of bonuses and commissions.

• Median Annual Salary: $82,500 ($39.66/hour)
• Top 10% Annual Salary: $115,000 ($55.29/hour)

The employment of restaurant owners is expected to grow at an average rate over the next decade.

Growth will be driven by the continued growth in the number of restaurants across all types of establishments, including food trucks and establishments that offer food delivery services. However, the increasing popularity of food-delivery services, such as GrubHub Seamless and UberEats, may limit the demand for traditional restaurant owners.

Related: Restaurant Owner Interview Questions and Answers

Restaurant Owner Job Requirements

To become a restaurant owner, one may need to satisfy the following:

Education: Most restaurant owners have at least a high school diploma or equivalent. Some restaurants may require a college degree, especially if the establishment is a fine dining restaurant.

Training & Experience: Restaurant owners typically have a background in the hospitality industry. They may have worked in a restaurant as a server, host or cook. They may have worked in management or as a restaurant owner. Some restaurant owners have a background in the food industry, such as a food distributor or food manufacturer.

Restaurant owners may also receive on-the-job training to learn about the specific needs of their establishment. They may learn about the menu, the kitchen equipment and the restaurant’s policies and procedures.

Certifications & Licenses: Some states require restaurant owners to have a food handler’s permit. The requirements vary by state, so you should review the regulations in your area.

Restaurant Owner Skills

Restaurant owners need the following skills in order to be successful:

Leadership: Restaurant owners are responsible for managing their staff and ensuring that their restaurant is operating smoothly. Effective leadership skills can help a restaurant owner maintain a positive work environment and encourage their employees to perform well. Leadership skills can also help a restaurant owner make important business decisions, such as purchasing new equipment or hiring new staff.

Communication: Communication is the act of conveying information to others. As a restaurant owner, you must be able to communicate effectively with your employees, suppliers and customers. You should be able to explain your business strategy to your employees and answer any questions they may have. You should also be able to communicate with suppliers to negotiate prices and ensure you have the supplies you need to run your business.

Marketing: Marketing skills allow you to promote your restaurant and encourage customers to visit. You can use marketing skills to create a restaurant brand, develop a marketing strategy and promote your restaurant online. Marketing skills can also help you create advertisements, develop a social media strategy and attract customers to your restaurant.

Financial management: Restaurant owners are responsible for managing their business’s finances. This includes tracking sales, managing cash flow and forecasting expenses. Effective financial management is an important skill for a restaurant owner because it can help them make informed business decisions.

Food preparation: Restaurant owners are responsible for preparing the food served in their establishments. Therefore, it’s important for them to have knowledge of food preparation and cooking techniques. This can help them ensure the quality of the food served in their restaurant. It can also help them save money by preparing their own food.

Restaurant Owner Work Environment

Restaurant owners typically work long hours, often more than 50 hours per week. They may work early mornings, late nights, weekends, and holidays. They also may have to travel to suppliers, conferences, and other meetings. Some restaurant owners work in their restaurants most of the time, while others delegate most of the day-to-day operations to managers. In either case, they are ultimately responsible for the success or failure of their businesses. Because of the demanding nature of the work, restaurant owners need to be able to handle stress and be able to make quick decisions. They also need to be able to motivate and lead their employees.

Restaurant Owner Trends

Here are three trends influencing how restaurant owners work. Restaurant owners will need to stay up-to-date on these developments to keep their skills relevant and maintain a competitive advantage in the workplace.

Restaurant Owners Will Need to Be More Tech-Savvy

As technology becomes more prevalent in our daily lives, restaurant owners will need to be more tech-savvy in order to stay competitive.

This means that they will need to be familiar with the latest technologies and how they can be used to improve the customer experience. They will also need to be able to manage and maintain their own websites and social media accounts.

The Growth of Fast Casual Restaurants

The growth of fast casual restaurants is a trend that has been happening for some time now, and it shows no signs of slowing down. This is because customers are looking for an alternative to traditional sit-down restaurants, which often take too long to get food and are not always the most affordable option.

As a restaurant owner, you can capitalize on this trend by offering quick service meals that are still high quality. This may include things like pre-made sandwiches or salads that can be quickly prepared. Additionally, you can focus on creating a comfortable atmosphere that feels more like a cafe than a restaurant.

More Focus on Local Ingredients

Local ingredients are becoming increasingly popular in restaurants across the country. This is due to the fact that people are becoming more interested in where their food comes from and how it is prepared.

As a restaurant owner, you can capitalize on this trend by focusing on local ingredients in your menu. This will allow you to create dishes that are unique and reflect the tastes of your community. It will also help you to build relationships with local farmers and suppliers, which can be very beneficial in the long run.

How to Become a Restaurant Owner

A successful restaurant owner career requires a lot of hard work and dedication. It’s important to have a clear vision for your business, as well as the determination to see it through. You should also be prepared to make sacrifices in order to achieve your goals.

One of the best ways to get started is by working in a restaurant kitchen. This will give you an insight into all aspects of running a restaurant, including food preparation, cooking, and customer service. You can then use this knowledge to develop your own unique concept for a restaurant.

It’s also important to build a strong team around you. Hire talented chefs, waiters, and other staff members who share your vision and are committed to achieving success.

Advancement Prospects

The most successful restaurant owners are those who have a passion for the industry, are well-organized and detail-oriented, and have a strong commitment to customer service. They also have a good understanding of business principles and financial management.

Many restaurant owners start out as employees in the food service industry and work their way up the ladder. Some may start as dishwashers, waiters, or cooks and eventually become managers or chefs. Others may begin their careers in the business side of the industry, such as working in a restaurant’s front of the house or in the accounting or marketing departments.

Those who have the desire and the ability to run their own business may eventually open their own restaurant. The most successful restaurant owners are those who have a passion for the industry, are well-organized and detail-oriented, and have a strong commitment to customer service. They also have a good understanding of business principles and financial management.

Restaurant Owner Job Description Example

Are you a passionate restaurateur with a strong vision for success? Do you have what it takes to lead a team of dedicated culinary professionals? If so, we’d like to hear from you!

We are currently seeking a dynamic and experienced restaurant owner to take over the operations of our flagship restaurant. In this role, you will be responsible for all aspects of the business, from menu development and kitchen management to front-of-house operations and marketing. You will also be responsible for developing and implementing strategies to increase sales and profitability.

The ideal candidate will have a minimum of 5 years of experience in restaurant management, as well as a proven track record of success in the industry. Additionally, the ideal candidate will possess strong leadership and communication skills, and be able to think outside the box to solve problems.

If you are a motivated and experienced restaurateur with a strong vision for success, we want to hear from you!

Duties & Responsibilities

• Maintain full compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations
• Create a positive and professional work environment for employees that encourages teamwork and mutual respect
• Train new employees in food safety, sanitation, and customer service policies and procedures
• Schedule staff shifts and manage employee time-off requests
• Monitor inventory levels and order supplies as needed
• Prepare weekly sales reports and monthly budget projections
• Review financial statements and take corrective action as necessary to improve profitability
• Negotiate vendor contracts and maintain relationships with suppliers
• Develop and implement marketing campaigns to promote the restaurant and drive business growth
• Respond to customer complaints and feedback in a prompt and professional manner
• Inspect the premises regularly to ensure that it is clean, well-maintained, and compliant with health and safety regulations
• Perform regular maintenance on kitchen equipment and report any repair needs to the appropriate personnel

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Proven experience as a restaurant owner or manager
• Excellent customer service skills
• Strong leadership qualities
• Good organizational and time management skills
• Great attention to detail
• Creativity and ability to think outside the box

Preferred Skills and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, hospitality, or related field
• Experience with menu development and food costing
• Financial acumen and experience developing budgets and managing P&L
• Marketing and promotional experience
• Hands-on experience with restaurant operations, including front of house and back of house