When preparing to interview a restaurant owner, it’s crucial to ask the right questions to gain valuable insights into their business.
This guide provides over 25 essential questions to ask a restaurant owner, designed to make your interview process easier and more effective.
In this article, you will learn:
- Questions to Ask a Restaurant Owner: Essential questions that provide deep insights into various aspects of running a restaurant, including the restaurant owner’s background, customer service, staff management, operations and financial management, marketing strategies, and restaurant technologies.
- Why It Is Worth Asking These Questions: The value of each question in understanding the owner’s experience, strategies, and business practices.
- Example Answers to These Questions: Examples of responses provided by restaurant owners.
General Questions
1. Can you describe your experience in the food and beverage industry?
Reason to ask: Understanding the restaurant owner’s background provides valuable insights into their expertise in the industry, their understanding of restaurant operations, and the challenges they’ve overcome.
“I have over 20 years of experience in the food and beverage industry, starting as a line cook and working my way up to executive chef before opening a restaurant.
Throughout my career, I’ve worked in various types of establishments, from fast-casual to fine dining, which has given me a broad perspective on the industry.
My background has equipped me with a deep understanding of culinary arts, customer service, and restaurant management.”
2. What inspired you to start your own restaurant business?
Reason to ask: Understanding why restaurant owners decided to start their own business can shed light on their passion and vision.
This question reveals their initial inspiration and long-term goals.
“I’ve always loved cooking and crafting unique dining experiences.
After working in various kitchens, I dreamed of creating a place where I could share my culinary vision and offer guests something truly memorable.
The idea of having complete creative control over the menu and atmosphere of a restaurant was what finally pushed me to take the leap and start my own business.”
3. What has been the most rewarding part of owning a successful restaurant?
Reason to ask: This question reveals what aspects of restaurant ownership the owner finds most fulfilling, whether it’s making customers happy, achieving financial success, or personal growth.
Understanding this can highlight their values and key career achievements.
“The best part of owning a restaurant is seeing our guests enjoy their meals and hearing their positive feedback.
It’s incredibly fulfilling to know we’re creating memorable experiences.”
Customer Service and Feedback
4. What training do you provide your staff to ensure excellent service quality?
Reason to ask: Staff training is essential for maintaining high service standards and ensuring a consistent guest experience.
This question reveals how the owner invests in their team’s development.
It also highlights their commitment to continuous improvement in service quality.
“We have a thorough training program with onboarding sessions, regular workshops, and ongoing coaching.
New hires learn about our menu, service standards, and restaurant customer service philosophy.
We also hold regular training sessions to keep staff updated on new practices and reinforce our commitment to excellence.”
5. How do you handle customer complaints or negative feedback to improve service quality?
Reason to ask: Effectively handling complaints can turn dissatisfied customers into loyal ones.
This question explores how the owner resolves issues, manages high-pressure situations, and uses customer feedback to address restaurant complaints and improve service quality.
“When we receive a complaint, we address it immediately by listening to the customer’s concerns and apologizing for any inconvenience.
We then work to resolve the issue, whether it’s by replacing a dish, offering a discount, or finding another solution.
We also use customer feedback to identify areas for improvement and make necessary changes to our service or menu.”
6. How do you gather and use customer feedback to enhance customer satisfaction?
Reason to ask: Gathering customer feedback is essential for ongoing improvement.
This question shows how the owner uses restaurant survey questions and other methods to collect and act on feedback.
“We monitor all reviews on restaurant review sites, whether positive or negative and respond to each one.
This helps us understand customer feedback, spot trends, and make improvements.”
Learn more about how to get customer feedback in restaurant and how to respond to bad restaurant reviews.
7. What steps do you take to create a memorable dining experience for your guests?
Reason to ask: Creating a memorable dining experience is key to customer retention and positive word-of-mouth.
This question reveals the owner’s strategies for making each guest’s visit special.
“We focus on details like ambiance, quality food, and attentive service.
Personalized touches include remembering regulars’ favorite dishes, offering complimentary dessert on special occasions, and customizing dishes to accommodate dietary restrictions.
We also engage with guests by sharing stories about the menu items and checking in frequently to ensure they have everything they need.”
Restaurant Concept and Menu
8. Can you describe the overall concept of your restaurant?
Reason to ask: Understanding a restaurant’s overall concept provides insight into the owner’s vision and how the restaurant differentiates itself.
It highlights the unique elements that attract and retain customers.
“Our restaurant is a farm-to-table concept that focuses on seasonal, locally sourced ingredients.
We aim to create a cozy, rustic atmosphere where guests can enjoy fresh, high-quality meals.
Our menu changes with the seasons, and we strive to provide a unique dining experience that highlights the flavors of our region.
We also host community events like farmer’s markets and cooking classes to engage with our customers beyond just dining.”
9. What type of cuisine do you specialize in, and what inspired this choice?
Reason to ask: Knowing the type of cuisine a restaurant specializes in and the inspiration behind it provides insight into the owner’s culinary focus and passion.
It highlights their expertise and the unique aspects that make their restaurant stand out.
“We specialize in Mediterranean cuisine, inspired by my travels through Greece, Italy, and Spain.
I was captivated by the fresh, vibrant flavors and the emphasis on healthy ingredients.
Our menu features a variety of dishes, all prepared with traditional Mediterranean techniques.”
10. How do you develop and update your menu items to align with customer preferences?
Reason to ask: Regular menu updates keep the restaurant relevant and exciting.
This question explores the owner’s process for staying attuned to customer preferences and restaurant trends, ensuring that their offerings meet evolving tastes and expectations.
“We use menu engineering to develop and update our menu.
We also consider food trends and customer preferences, such as adding more plant-based options or dishes that cater to specific dietary restrictions.
We also organize regular tastings and customer surveys to refine our menu.”
11. What factors influence your menu pricing?
Reason to ask: Pricing strategy impacts profitability and customer perception.
This question reveals how restaurant owners balance cost, quality, and customer expectations to ensure profitability while offering value.
“Our restaurant menu pricing is influenced by several factors, including ingredient costs, preparation time, and market pricing.
We analyze food costs and adjust prices to ensure profitability while providing good value to our customers.
We also consider the competition and aim to position our prices competitively.”
12. How do you ensure food quality in your dishes?
Reason to ask: High food quality is essential for customer satisfaction and repeat business.
This question explores the measures the owner takes to maintain high standards of their dishes.
“Maintaining top quality in our dishes is our top priority.
We source ingredients from trusted suppliers who provide fresh, high-quality products.
We also perform regular quality checks and taste tests to ensure consistency.”
Learn more about how to make a restaurant menu.
Financial Management
13. What financial metrics do you track most closely in your restaurant business?
Reason to ask: Monitoring financial metrics is crucial for a restaurant’s success.
This question helps you understand how the owner stays on top of their finances and makes smart business decisions.
“We pay close attention to key restaurant KPIs like food cost percentage and restaurant labor cost to keep things running smoothly.
Keeping a healthy restaurant profit margin is really important, so we’re always tweaking our menu prices and staffing levels to optimize costs.
We also track our average restaurant revenue regularly to make sure we’re hitting our financial goals and making adjustments when needed.”
14. How do you manage your restaurant’s budget and cash flow?
Reason to ask: Effective budget and cash flow management are vital for sustainability.
This question gives insight into how the owner handles their budget, cash flow, and any financing strategies to keep the business running smoothly.
“We start each year by setting a detailed restaurant budget that outlines all our expected expenses and revenue.
We track our income and spending closely every month to make sure we’re staying within budget.
For unexpected costs, we have a few restaurant financing options in place.”
15. What strategies do you use to control food and labor costs?
Reason to ask: Controlling food and labor costs is essential for maintaining restaurant profitability in the restaurant business.
This question reveals the owner’s strategies for managing these significant expenses effectively.
“We monitor food and labor costs closely.
For food, we track usage and waste, negotiate with suppliers, and plan menus around seasonal ingredients, for labor, we use restaurant scheduling software to optimize staffing levels based on historical data.
We also regularly review our financial statements to adjust quickly and stay on budget.”
Restaurant Marketing
16. What marketing strategies have you found to be the most effective in the restaurant industry?
Reason to ask: Effective marketing drives customer acquisition and retention.
This question explores the owner’s successful restaurant marketing strategies and tactics, providing insights into what works best in promoting a restaurant and attracting a loyal customer base.
“We’ve found that restaurant social media marketing is incredibly effective.
We regularly post on Instagram and Facebook. We also collaborate with local influencers to reach a wider audience and draw in new customers.”
Learn more about how to attract new customers to your restaurant here.
17. How do you leverage social media platforms to attract customers and improve service quality?
Reason to ask: Social media is a powerful tool for engagement and promotion.
This question examines how the owner uses social platforms to attract customers and engage with them.
“We use Instagram and Facebook to connect with our customers.
Posting photos of our dishes, sharing behind-the-scenes stories, and announcing special events really helps us engage with our audience.
We also make sure to respond to comments and messages quickly, which helps build a community and get direct feedback.”
Learn more about Facebook for restaurants and Instagram for restaurants.
18. What role do promotions and special events play in your marketing strategy?
Reason to ask: Promotions and events are key for driving traffic and creating buzz around a restaurant.
This question explores the owner’s favorite restaurant promotion ideas and event concepts, showing how they attract and engage customers.
“We love to get creative with our restaurant event ideas and promotions.
We host cooking classes, wine tastings, and live music nights, but we also encourage our team members to come up with their own ideas.
Each team member can propose an event or promotion idea, and we discuss them together to decide which ones to implement.”
19. How do you build and maintain your restaurant’s brand in a competitive market?
Reason to ask: Strong restaurant branding is essential for standing out in a competitive market.
This question explores the owner’s strategies for building and maintaining their restaurant’s brand.
“We prioritize building and maintaining our restaurant branding.
We focus on a consistent visual identity, from our logo and menu design to our social media presence and interior decor.
We also make sure every customer interaction aligns with our brand values of quality and hospitality.”
Restaurant Technology
20. What technology solutions have you implemented to improve operations?
Reason to ask: Technology can streamline restaurant operations and enhance efficiency.
This question examines the owner’s use of technological tools to optimize various aspects of their restaurant business, from online ordering systems to kitchen management.
“We’ve integrated several technology solutions in my restaurant.
We use a QR code menu to allow customers to view our offerings directly from their phones, and we also have tableside ordering, where customers can place orders through a tablet at their table, speeding up service.
Additionally, our online ordering system makes it easy for customers to place takeout or delivery orders, and our restaurant mobile app provides a seamless experience for reservations, orders, and loyalty rewards.”
21. How do you manage online reservations and orders to enhance customer satisfaction?
Reason to ask: Online reservations and orders are increasingly important for convenience and customer satisfaction.
This question examines how the owner manages these aspects to provide a seamless experience for their guests.
“We focus heavily on our online ordering system and restaurant reservation system, both integrated with our restaurant mobile app and website.
Customers can easily place takeout or delivery orders and make reservations online.
The system automatically updates our order queue and reservation schedule in real-time. Thanks to that, we never overbook, and all orders are processed efficiently.”
Learn more about how to set up an online ordering system and the benefits of online ordering for restaurants.
22. How has technology impacted your inventory management?
Reason to ask: Efficient restaurant inventory management reduces waste and cost.
This question reveals the owner’s approach to using technology for accurate and efficient inventory control, highlighting their focus on operational efficiency and cost management.
“We use a robust restaurant inventory management system to monitor our stock levels in real-time.
The system provides detailed insights into our inventory, helping us monitor usage, avoid overstocking, and reduce food waste.”
Staff Management and Training
23. What methods do you use to train new employees and ensure they understand your menu and service standards?
Reason to ask: Effective training for new employees is essential for maintaining high service standards and ensuring a consistent guest experience.
This question explores the methods the owner uses to train new staff.
“Training new employees is a top priority for us. We start with a comprehensive onboarding process, during which they learn about our menu, service standards, and customer service philosophy.
We then provide hands-on training sessions and pair new hires with experienced staff members for mentorship.
To ensure they understand everything, we conduct regular check-ins and additional training sessions as needed.”
24. How do you handle conflicts among team members in your restaurant?
Reason to ask: Effective conflict resolution maintains a positive work environment.
This question examines the owner’s strategies for managing interpersonal issues among staff.
“When conflicts arise, it’s important to address them quickly and fairly.
In such situations, I talk to each person involved to understand their perspective, then mediate a group discussion to find a resolution.
If needed, we provide additional training on communication and teamwork to prevent future issues.”
25. What strategies do you use to maintain high employee morale and reduce turnover in the hospitality industry?
Reason to ask: High morale and low turnover are crucial for a stable workforce.
This question explores the owner’s efforts to keep employees motivated, satisfied, and engaged, which is essential for maintaining service quality and a successful restaurant.
“Keeping our staff motivated is an important aspect of our management strategy.
We regularly recognize and reward outstanding performance, and we offer opportunities for career advancement within the restaurant.
We also focus on creating a supportive work environment where team members feel valued.”
26. How do you evaluate the performance of your team and provide feedback?
Reason to ask: Regular performance evaluation and feedback are key to continuous improvement.
This question examines how the owner assesses staff performance, provides constructive feedback, and fosters career growth.
“We conduct regular performance evaluations to assess our team’s strengths and areas for improvement.
Each team member receives feedback on their performance, with specific examples and suggestions for development.
We also set clear goals and provide additional training when needed to help them reach their potential.”
General Management and Operations
27. What are the biggest challenges you face in managing your restaurant?
Reason to ask: Understanding challenges provides insight into the owner’s problem-solving skills.
This question reveals the difficulties they encounter and how they address them to ensure smooth restaurant operations and maintain a successful restaurant.
“One of the biggest challenges is balancing quality and cost, especially with fluctuating ingredient prices. We handle this by maintaining strong relationships with our suppliers and buying seasonal products.
Another challenge is managing staff schedules to ensure we’re adequately staffed during peak times without overstaffing. We use restaurant scheduling software to predict busy periods and adjust accordingly.”
28. How do you stay updated with industry trends and incorporate them into your restaurant business?
Reason to ask: Staying current with trends is essential for competitiveness.
This question explores how the owner keeps up with changes in the restaurant industry and adapts their business accordingly.
“We stay updated by attending industry conferences, participating in workshops, and reading trade publications.
When we find a trend that fits our brand, we discuss it with the team and find ways to integrate it into our menu or service.”
29. How do you maintain a work-life balance while running a successful restaurant?
Reason to ask: Balancing work and personal life is important for sustainability.
This question examines the owner’s strategies for managing their time and maintaining their well-being while running a demanding business.
“I prioritize tasks and delegate responsibilities to trusted team members, which allows me to focus on strategic decisions.
I set boundaries for work hours and make sure to carve out time for family and personal interests.”
Key Takeaways
- Understanding of Owner’s Background: Asking about the owner’s experience in the restaurant industry provides valuable insights into their journey, expertise, and the challenges they’ve overcome.
- Customer Service Strategies: Inquiring about customer service approaches reveals how restaurant owners ensure high levels of satisfaction and handle feedback.
- Staff Management and Training Insights: Learning about staff management techniques, including training, motivation, and retention strategies, highlights how owners maintain a skilled and happy workforce.
- Operational and Financial Management: Questions about daily operations, restaurant inventory management, and financial practices shed light on how owners ensure efficiency, compliance, and profitability.
- Utilization of Restaurant Technology: Exploring the technological solutions implemented by restaurant owners reveals how they enhance restaurant operations and improve the overall customer experience.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the best question to ask a business owner?
The best question to ask a business owner is one that provides deep insight into their motivations, challenges, and strategies. A highly effective question is: “What has been the most significant challenge you’ve faced in your business, and how did you overcome it?”
What questions should I ask a restaurant manager?
When interviewing a restaurant manager, consider these key areas and questions:
- Customer Service and Guest Experience – How do you ensure high customer satisfaction?
- Staff Management and Training – What strategies do you use to train new employees and ensure they meet service standards?
- Operations and Efficiency – How do you manage inventory to minimize waste and control restaurant costs?
- Financial Management – How do you manage the restaurant’s budget and monitor financial performance?
- Marketing and Community Engagement – What restaurant marketing strategies have you found effective for attracting customers?
