A restaurant owner is an individual who owns and oversees the operation of a restaurant. Although, a college education is not a requirement for this position, some owners may elect to enroll in management or marketing courses to gain experience in these essential areas. A successful owner will need to be business savvy, including being knowledgeable of the food industry and business management as a whole. Good communication and people skills will also be beneficial, as a wide variety of personalities will be encountered on a daily basis. The owner's initial job duties will be to obtain a license and insurance, and to order restaurant supplies, but daily expectations will frequently vary.
Providing staff management is a key role in being a restaurant owner. The owner will generally be responsible for hiring and terminating employees. Employee incentives, including health care and benefits, are usually designated by this person as well. Most places of business have rules for employees and customers, such as age restrictions and clothing requirements. The owner will typically establish these prerequisites for his business.
Some owners are a part of the everyday running of the restaurants they own, while others may hire a manager to run the restaurant for them, while they remain behind the scenes. The manager will typically be the eyes and ears of the owner. Since this person can hold such an important role in the success or failure of a business, the hiring of managers and assistant managers is typically one of the most important decisions made by an owner.
Regardless of the number of managers hired to run a restaurant efficiently, the financial management is typically the sole responsibility of the owner. Bookkeeping for a restaurant is a big job and is not to be taken lightly. It entails managing cash flow, accounting for expenditures, and making sure the restaurant is not spending more than what it is taking in. Financial management can also include calculating salaries and raises for the employees. More than nearly anything else, a restaurant owner will need to be able to successfully manage the finances to keep the business open.
The owner will also oversee building repairs. This includes approving the repairs to be made to the building and hiring the appropriate person to make those repairs. In addition, the owner will be responsible for ensuring building maintenance is upheld. From broken windows to plumbing problems, the owner will generally be the go-to person to ensure problems are fixed in a timely manner.
Owning a restaurant is a big responsibility, but it can be a rewarding one as well. One of the key foundations to being a successful owner is providing stellar customer service. If the customers are satisfied, not only will they continue to come back, but they will invite others to as well. For this reason, being hospitable and providing a customer-friendly atmosphere is among the most important duties of being a restaurant owner.