Do you need special training or education to be a restaurant owner?

Answer 1

Yes and no.

To own a restaurant is different from managing one. All that is needed to own a restaurant is enough money to buy one.

However, to 'run' a restaurant, this may be possible without any special training of education, especially if you are just going to 'manage' it, and employ capable chefs and other staff to carry out all the other duties.

Even chefs/cooks need not necessarily be specially qualified, but experienced and trained cooks would generally have the advantage over untrained and inexperienced ones.

In the restaurant business the directors and staff need to be aware of a number of matters, and be capable of running the business in way that is good for the customers and good for profit.

The restaurant must comply with health, safety and hygiene requirements. Other legal requirements also need to be complied with, such as those concerning smoking, disabled access, financial/tax matters, employee regulations, advertising standards, building regulations etc.

It is a big responsibility to have a restaurant. Thorough enquiries, good planning and competent staffing are essential. All this may not need special training or education, but a restaurant manager and staff certainly need to have many skills and a lot of knowledge, regardless of how they might acquire these essentials.

Answer 2

Sadly, no. (Which is why almost 90% of all new restaurants fail within 6 months of opening).