Whether you’re a journalist, food blogger or someone looking to learn more about the industry, you’re probably here because you’re preparing questions to ask a restaurant owner during an interview (or consultation).
Below, we’ve gathered 50 questions that cover the most important aspects of successfully running a restaurant, from building the business to overcoming various challenges.
We’ve also separated the questions into 10 categories (with five questions each) to help you easily find the ones you’re looking for the most:
- The business’s beginnings
- Operations
- Financial management
- Questions specifically for chef-owners
- Customer service
- Marketing and branding
- Hiring practices
- Staff training
- Handling of specific situations or challenges
- Personal insights and perspectives
50 Interview Questions To Ask a Restaurant Owner- Types of Interview Questions for Restaurant Owners
- 1. Questions About Starting a Restaurant
- 2. Operations-Related Questions To Ask a Restaurant Owner
- 3. Questions for Restaurant Owners About Financial Management
- 4. Interview Questions for Chef-Owners
- 5. Customer Service-Related Questions To Ask a Restaurant Owner
- 6. Interview Questions About Marketing and Branding
- 7. Questions To Ask at a Restaurant Interview About the Hiring Process
- 8. Interview Questions To Ask a Restaurant Owner About Staff Training
- 9. Questions About Dealing With Specific Situations or Challenges
- 10. Questions To Ask Restaurant Owners for Their Personal Insight
- Conclusion
- Read Interviews With Restaurant Owners
50 Interview Questions To Ask a Restaurant Owner
Read on for a peek into restaurant owners' minds and get the full picture behind their business. Each of these 50 questions also comes with example answers that restaurant owners can use if they’re going to be interviewed.
Download our questions in PDF or word format and take inspiration from them during your next interview with a restaurant owner!
Types of Interview Questions for Restaurant Owners
1. Questions About Starting a Restaurant
Why you should ask these: A lot of people aspire to open their own restaurant. But it takes much more than just a passion for food to turn that dream into a reality. Starting a restaurant requires a strong understanding of business and finances.
These questions will help you find out what inspired the restaurant owner to start their business, how they planned for its launch and how they dealt with initial challenges.
2. Operations-Related Questions To Ask a Restaurant Owner
Why you should ask these: Every restaurant is managed and operates differently. Some owners are very hands-on, while others opt to delegate most tasks to highly qualified employees. Either way, managing a restaurant’s day to day operations takes a certain set of skills, such as organizational and leadership skills.
These questions will help you understand how the owner you’re interviewing deals with the day-to-day operations of their establishment.
3. Questions for Restaurant Owners About Financial Management
Why you should ask these: The finances of a restaurant can often make or break it. A restaurant can have amazing food, but if its finances aren’t taken care of, things can fall apart.
These interview questions for restaurant owners will help you understand the business side of running a successful restaurant. You’ll get insight into their pricing strategies, budgeting and their strategy of dealing with unforeseen expenses.
4. Interview Questions for Chef-Owners
Why you should ask these: When the restaurant owner is also the Executive or Head Chef, there’s an added layer of complexity to an already difficult job. It’s a dual role that requires not only skills in cooking, but also in overall restaurant operations management.
These questions will help you understand how they manage to juggle between the responsibilities of managing a restaurant kitchen and running a business.
5. Customer Service-Related Questions To Ask a Restaurant Owner
Why you should ask these: Providing excellent customer service is essential for keeping a loyal customer base. It’s the heart of running any successful restaurant.
Do they have a staff training regimen on customer interaction? How do they deal with complaints? Consider these customer service-related questions to ask in a restaurant interview to get a better idea.
6. Interview Questions About Marketing and Branding
Why you should ask these: Marketing and branding are very important for attracting customers and making a restaurant stand out. Does the owner rely mainly on word-of-mouth or run online campaigns to promote their brand? What’s their main method of building a brand identity that their customers remember?
Our questions will help you get a better idea on these topics and more.
7. Questions To Ask at a Restaurant Interview About the Hiring Process
Why you should ask these: Finding and keeping the right employees is one of the biggest challenges most restaurant owners face. From Servers to Bartenders and Chefs, every single employee plays an important role in the successful operation of a restaurant.
What soft skills do they look for when hiring staff? How do they make sure hires are a good fit for their establishment? How do they make themselves stand out when posting job ads online? These questions will help you understand how owners handle recruiting and staff retention.
8. Interview Questions To Ask a Restaurant Owner About Staff Training
Why you should ask these: Once the right employees are hired, the next step is to make sure they’re properly trained. Every restaurant has its own way of training its employees to make sure they’re ready to meet the restaurant’s standards. After all, training is an ongoing process.
These questions will help you understand how the restaurant owner invests in the continuous growth of their employees.
9. Questions About Dealing With Specific Situations or Challenges
Why you should ask these: Asking these questions will help you understand how the owner may deal with challenges (even hypothetical ones).
Whether it’s dealing with slow times or following new industry trends, restaurant owners need to be quick to adapt. These questions to ask during a restaurant interview will showcase the owner’s unique abilities and strategies to do so.
10. Questions To Ask Restaurant Owners for Their Personal Insight
Why you should ask these: If you want to know more about the restaurant owner themselves, asking this type of questions can help you get a personal glimpse into their life. Getting to know them on a slightly more personal level can make the conversation feel more natural.
However, it’s important to strike a balance and make sure you aren’t overstepping any boundaries. Keep the questions light and respectful to ensure the owner feels comfortable sharing without feeling pressured.
These questions can help you understand how being a restaurant owner impacts their life, values and perspectives.
Conclusion
Knowing the right questions to ask a restaurant owner during an interview can help you gather valuable insight into the nuances of running a restaurant. However, it’s also very important to approach the interview with preparation and professionalism.
To do that, take the time to research the restaurant’s history, menu and any recent news and reviews. This will help you tailor your questions to be more specific and relevant, as well as demonstrate your genuine interest.
No matter whether you’re interested in asking questions about hiring and training practices, operational and management strategies or personal growth, each of these questions can give you a peek into the dynamic world of restaurateurs.
Moreover, you’ll get a deeper understanding of the passion and effort that goes into running a restaurant and more importantly, what it takes to create a memorable dining experience.
On the other hand, if you’re a restaurant owner being interviewed, take the opportunity to share your journey, the challenges you faced along the way and your successes. It can be both insightful for the interviewer and allow you to reflect on your experiences and accomplishments.
Read Interviews With Restaurant Owners
Need more inspiration? You might also be interested in some of our interviews with restaurant owners:
