How to Achieve Your Dream of Becoming a Restaurant Owner

Owning a restaurant doesn’t have to be a pipe dream.  Sure, it is no easy feat to open and maintain a restaurant for a career, but generations of professional restaurateurs have proven that success lies in having the right mix of passion, skill, and knowledge.  You too can achieve your dream of becoming a restaurant owner if you prepare yourself for the path that lies ahead.  These steps are the foundation of becoming a successful restaurant owner.

Own Your Craft

If you don’t think you’ll be successful, you won’t be successful.  Go into the business with your whole heart into it. You will have to dedicate more than 40 hours a week, give up weekends and holidays, and weather the highs and lows of your business.  Owning a restaurant is an art.  In order to be successful, you have to own every aspect of your craft.  Find the inspiration for the cuisine you serve, the atmosphere you wish to project, the guests you want to please, and implement the plan to the fullest.  If you have a vision in mind, no matter how unconventional, you must have confidence that you will be successful in order to be successful.

Educate Yourself

Becoming a restaurant owner doesn’t happen on accident.  To achieve your dream, you have to invest all of your time in learning about the business.  Don’t be intimidated if you haven’t spent years in the restaurant business. While having experience may be ideal, it isn’t the end all be all of success. The solution to this is always education.  Fortunately, many universities, junior colleges, and trade schools offer courses, degrees, and certificates.  Many restaurant owners have pursued degrees in business or hospitality.  However, no matter your education, you must have the dedication to follow through to learn every day.  Knowledge is always changing, which means you must continue learning.  This is the key to remaining relevant within the industry.  Technology is changing, methods are changing, and there are always new ways to expand your horizons.

Be Flexible

There is no consistency in being a restaurant owner.  If the nine to five day is more your style, then this is not the career for you, and that is ok.  However, if you are the type that likes to think on their feet, overcome obstacles, and dodge pitfalls, then you will find this business to be a fulfilling and thrilling venture.  One day, you may find that there is a shortage of spinach because an infestation has damaged the crops, or another day you perhaps will find out that your plumbing is busted and you need to renovate the whole kitchen.  Employees will sometimes quit without warning, won’t show up, or may exhibit other unethical behaviors.  You have to be willing to do the right thing for you, your business, and your employees with the flexibility to expect the unexpected.  This means making tough decisions often in the heat of the moment.  Take heart that if you are a flexible person or are willing to learn, you can achieve the unexpected.

Take Risks

As with any business, opening a restaurant provides no guarantees.  Success doesn’t lie in luck, but in taking chances.  There is always a risk in investing a lot of money into a business venture.  However, you have to continually be willing to make decisions that may benefit your restaurant in the long run.  Take liquor licenses, for example.  For instance, liquor licenses in the state of California and some other more populated states may be pricey and in some cases can reach over $100,000.  However, you don’t have to take this chance on your own.  You can hire a professional who knows the liquor licensure business and navigate the paperwork for you so that you can find one that best suits your goals and budgets.  Taking an educated risk is one of the best things you can do for your business and in your life.

Becoming a restaurant owner is clearly a rigorous path, but successful owners find this career to be rewarding for all of their hard work.  If you wish to become a restaurant owner, consider an education in hospitality or business to best prepare you and remember to have the positive attitude to move you forward.