What separates a successful restaurant owner from an unsuccessful one are generally just a few minor differences. In this article, we’re going to discuss all of the skills a restaurant owner needs to run a successful restaurant business:
- The importance of having a clear aim, goals, and a plan.
- Understanding the industry trends and using the latest technology.
- Mastering hard skills, such as project management, bookkeeping, and more.
- Developing emotional intelligence, managing staff, and other soft skills.
Key Takeaways
For one, a successful restaurant owner has a clear aim that is further supported by a business plan. A successful restaurant owner will understand his or her finances, strengths, weaknesses, competition, and more.
A successful restaurant owner will need a combination of hard skills, such as project management, and soft skills, such as collaboration and emotional intelligence, that will allow him or her to manage their staff and business on a high level.
I. Having a Clear Aim
“Goals. There's no telling what you can do when you get inspired by them. There's no telling what you can do when you believe in them. There's no telling what will happen when you act upon them.”
Setting Clear Goals
Knowing your goals and supporting them with a well-prepared business plan is crucial. You should define what success looks like for your restaurant. Is it about profitability, customer satisfaction, or expansion? Once you know what you want, create a detailed business plan outlining your vision, mission, and strategies to achieve those goals.
For example, Sweetgreen, a fast-casual restaurant chain, aimed to redefine fast food with a focus on health and sustainability. Their business plan highlighted local sourcing, seasonal menus, and community engagement, which has led to their rapid growth and customer loyalty.
Tracking Your Progress
Tracking your progress using KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) is vital. KPIs like customer satisfaction, table turnover rate, and food cost percentage will help you monitor your restaurant’s health. To do that, you’re going to need some sort of restaurant analytics software.
For example, Five Guys tracks customer satisfaction through regular surveys and uses feedback to make improvements, ensuring a high level of customer loyalty and satisfaction.
Hiring the Right People
Hiring the right people and managers is equally important. They keep everything in good order and bring your vision to life. Treat your business seriously, and leave as little as possible to chance. Systems and processes should guide operations to minimize uncertainties.
An example is In-N-Out Burger, known for its rigorous hiring standards and comprehensive training programs, which result in consistent food quality and excellent customer service. Make sure to create your own restaurant training manual!
II. Navigating the Restaurant Industry
Restaurant owners should ideally aim to always stay on top of what’s happening within the industry. When you own your restaurant, you have to keep a close eye on what brings new customers and drives sales.
Take restaurant influencer marketing, for example. A survey by Influencer Marketing Hub found that businesses earn an average of $5.20 for every $1 spent on influencer marketing. This strategy can be particularly effective for restaurants looking to reach new audiences and build a loyal customer base.
And so, as long as you stay on top of industry trends and skillfully navigate your restaurant marketing, you should be able to drive sales and make better money.
Understanding the Industry Trends
Understanding industry trends and effectively promoting your restaurant is key. A solid restaurant marketing plan should include social media strategies, partnerships with food delivery services, and community engagement.
For instance, Taco Bell has leveraged social media to engage with its audience through creative campaigns and collaborations, boosting its brand visibility and customer engagement.
Getting the Right Tools for the Job
Last but not least, you’re going to need proper restaurant marketing tools to keep track of all the data and to automate your marketing as much as possible.
For starters, you’re going to need an online ordering system that’ll allow your customers to order food from your place without any struggle. Then, it’s also important to have some sort of a restaurant loyalty program to keep customers coming back.
Finally, you should also have restaurant analytics of some sort to help you track the progress and improve your marketing attempts (and ultimately sales) with each campaign.
III. Mastering Crucial Hard Skills
Hard skills can be obtained in two ways: either by hard work or by good hiring choices. As a restaurant owner, you should be able to understand what constitutes exceptional customer service and how employee retention can translate into smoother restaurant operations.
Ideally, you should be able to analyze customer data, establish a target audience, and operate an online ordering system. You should be able to hire staff and navigate daily operations so that at the end of the day, you’re left with nothing but happy customers and remarkable financial projections.
If you either can’t or don’t have enough time, make sure to hire the right people to do these things for you; even the best service, great food, and attractive menu prices won’t make up for the lack of skills and planning.
Project Management
Mastering project management involves budgeting, time management, and team coordination. Effective restaurant management, in general, will ensure that tasks are completed on time and within budget.
For example, organizing a special event like a wine tasting requires detailed planning and coordination with vendors and staff. Just think of Eataly’s food festivals and how important meticulous project management was in hosting large-scale events like these.
Bookkeeping and Accounting
Understanding your financial responsibilities is crucial. Work with professionals to manage your books and ensure compliance with tax regulations. Keeping accurate financial records helps in making informed decisions and maintaining profitability. Make sure to use restaurant accounting software that’ll help you keep track of all your finances.
Inventory Management
Efficient inventory management controls food costs and minimizes waste. Using inventory management software can help track stock levels and forecast demand. For instance, knowing when to reorder ingredients ensures you never run out of key items, maintaining menu consistency and customer satisfaction.
Subway is a great example of precise inventory management practices. Their scrupulous restaurant inventory management has allowed them to manage thousands of locations effectively, minimizing waste and optimizing supply chains.
Kitchen Operations
Designing a menu, maintaining kitchen practices, and adhering to health regulations are core to kitchen operations. Ensure your menu is balanced, your kitchen is clean, and your staff is trained in food safety. You can save some time by using these free menu templates.
Proper kitchen operations lead to better food quality and customer satisfaction. Gordon Ramsay’s restaurants are known for their rigorous kitchen standards and menu innovation, ensuring a top-notch dining experience.
Marketing and Promotions
Utilize social media, review sites, and loyalty programs to market your restaurant. Engaging with customers on platforms like Instagram and responding to reviews on Yelp can boost your restaurant’s visibility and reputation. Consider writing a restaurant marketing plan to keep things organized.
Offering loyalty programs encourages repeat business. Starbucks’ successful use of social media campaigns and its popular loyalty program has significantly increased customer engagement and retention.
Customer Service Best Practices
Creating a benchmark for service quality turns first-time customers into regulars. Train your staff to provide exceptional service and address customer feedback promptly. For example, a restaurant with a reputation for friendly and efficient service will likely see higher customer retention.
Chick-fil-A’s emphasis on customer service excellence has made it a leader in customer satisfaction in the fast-food industry. Most importantly, high-quality restaurant customer service will also translate into customer loyalty, so make sure to have a loyalty program ready!
IV. Developing Essential Soft Skills
As a restaurant owner you’re indirectly always responsible for what’s going on at your place. In the end, if something goes wrong, it is you who’s losing customers. And so, key factors like retaining customers, ensuring your kitchen staff has the right equipment, and every other little are essentially all on you.
The takeaway is that if it’s your own restaurant, then it’s your own responsibility. Make sure to develop the right soft skills that will help streamline operations for everyone. In order to do that, you’re going to need a few basic soft skills.
Emotional Intelligence
Emotional intelligence is crucial in managing relationships with staff and customers. Understanding and managing your emotions, as well as empathizing with others, can lead to a more harmonious and productive work environment.
Danny Meyer, founder of Shake Shack, emphasizes the importance of emotional intelligence in his management philosophy, resulting in a positive work culture and excellent customer service.
Collaboration and Multi-tasking
Balancing multiple priorities and working as a team ensures smooth operations. Encourage collaboration among your staff to improve efficiency and problem-solving. For example, the collaborative approach at The French Laundry, where chefs and staff work closely together, contributes to its reputation for exceptional service and cuisine.
Organization
Keeping your operations smooth and efficient requires strong organizational skills. Implementing checklists, schedules, and standard operating procedures helps maintain order and consistency. You should be able to understand the needs of in back of house, as well as front. You may also want to introduce your staff to basic restaurant terms.
McDonald’s, whose highly organized operational procedures ensure consistency and efficiency across all its global locations, is an excellent example of consistency and great organizational procedures.
Resilience
Handling stress and maintaining composure in a high-pressure environment is essential. Developing resilience helps you navigate challenges and bounce back from setbacks. For example, staying calm during rush hours or handling a customer complaint with grace can make a significant difference in your restaurant’s atmosphere.
The resilience shown by restaurateurs during the COVID-19 pandemic, adapting to new regulations and pivoting to takeout and delivery models, highlights the importance of this skill.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What should I include in my restaurant owner resume to make it comprehensive?
A comprehensive restaurant owner resume should include your contact information, professional summary, detailed work history with quantifiable achievements, education, relevant certifications, key skills, and professional affiliations. Tailoring your resume to highlight these elements will help you stand out.
What are some essential skills to include in a restaurant owner resume?
Key restaurant owner skills include restaurant operations management, customer satisfaction, business development, staff training and management, and inventory management. Highlighting these skills can demonstrate your capability to effectively run a successful restaurant.
How can I make my restaurant owner resume stand out to hiring managers?
To catch the attention of hiring managers, tailor your resume to the job, use strong action verbs, quantify your achievements, and ensure it is well-organized and free of errors. Additionally, include relevant certifications like the ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification to showcase your expertise in food safety regulations.
