Key Sections of a Restaurant Owner Resume
To create a compelling restaurant owner resume, structure it to showcase your experience, skills, and achievements. Below are the key sections to include, along with tips to make each one impactful.
1. Contact Information
Your contact details should be visible at the top of your resume. Ensure your information is professional and up to date.
Include:- Full Name (e.g., John Doe)
- Phone Number (e.g., (123) 456-7890)
- Professional Email Address (e.g., johndoe@email.com)
- LinkedIn Profile (if applicable) (e.g., linkedin.com/in/johndoe)
- Website/Portfolio (if applicable) (e.g., www.johndoerestaurants.com)
Avoid:- Unprofessional emails (e.g., foodie4life@email.com)
- Personal details like home address, date of birth, or marital status (unless required)
2. Professional Summary
Your professional summary is a concise yet impactful 2-3 sentence overview of your experience, skills, and key achievements. It should immediately grab the reader’s attention and showcase your unique value as a successful restaurant or restaurant owner.
Example:📌 Tips:
- Keep it concise and to the point.
- Highlight years of experience, key expertise, and notable accomplishments.
- Use strong action words (e.g., "scaled," "led," "increased," "developed").
3. Key Skills
Your restaurant owner skills section should showcase a mix of hard skills (technical abilities) and soft skills (interpersonal and leadership qualities) that are essential for running a restaurant successfully.
Hard Skills:
- Business Operations Management – Overseeing daily restaurant functions efficiently.
- Customer Service Excellence – Ensuring high-quality guest experiences.
- Budgeting & Financial Planning – Managing costs, profits, and financial growth.
- Staff Recruitment & Training – Hiring, developing, and retaining top talent.
- Menu Development – Creating innovative, cost-effective, and customer-friendly menus.
- Marketing & Branding Strategies – Leveraging social media, promotions, and advertising.
Soft Skills:
- Team Leadership & Motivation – Building a strong, customer-focused team.
- Problem-Solving – Quickly resolving operational and customer-related issues.
- Adaptability – Adjusting to industry trends and business challenges.
- Time Management – Effectively balancing multiple business responsibilities.
- Communication – Engaging with staff, vendors, and customers effectively.
4. Work Experience
This is the most important section of your resume. It should provide a detailed account of your roles, responsibilities, and achievements. Structure it in the following format:
[Job Title] – [Restaurant Name], [Location]
[Dates of Employment]
Example:Founder & Owner – The Gourmet Spot, New York, NY (2015 – Present)
- Managed all aspects of operations for a high-end dining establishment with a $2M annual revenue.
- Increased revenue by 45% through innovative marketing campaigns and customer retention strategies.
- Developed a unique farm-to-table menu, leading to a 5-star Yelp rating and recognition in local press.
- Hired, trained, and managed a team of 30+ employees, improving service efficiency by 30%.
- Negotiated cost-saving contracts with suppliers, reducing ingredient expenses by 20%.
- Implemented a customer loyalty program, increasing repeat business by 35%.
General Manager – Fine Dining Spot, Los Angeles, CA (2012 – 2015)
- Oversaw daily operations, ensuring top-tier customer service and staff efficiency.
- Reduced food waste by 30% through strategic inventory control.
- Improved customer satisfaction ratings from 4.2 to 4.8 stars within two years.
📌 Tips:
- Focus on achievements, not just responsibilities.
- Use numbers to quantify results (% increase in revenue, cost reductions, excellent customer service ratings).
- Keep it relevant to the restaurant industry.
5. Education & Certifications
Your education and certifications validate your expertise and training in hospitality, food preparation, food safety, and restaurant management.
Example:- Bachelor’s Degree in Hospitality Management – Cornell University, 2010
- Certified Food Service Manager (SERV Safe) – National Restaurant Association, 2012
- Restaurant Management Certification – Culinary Institute of America, 2014
📌 Tips:
- If you have multiple degrees, list the most relevant one first.
- Include certifications that show expertise in food, health and safety regulations, business management, or leadership.
6. Awards & Recognitions
If you have received awards or accolades, this section can set you apart and add credibility to your achievements.
Example:- "Best New Restaurant" – Food & Wine Magazine, 2021
- "Top 50 Restaurants in NYC" – Zagat, 2020
- "Outstanding Restaurateur Award" – National Restaurant Association, 2019
📌 Tips:
- Awards build credibility and enhance your reputation.
- Highlight prestigious industry recognitions (local, national, or international).
7. Additional Sections (Optional)
Depending on your background, you can include additional sections that strengthen your resume:
Best Resume Format for a Restaurant Owner
A well-structured resume ensures that hiring managers and investors can quickly scan and understand your experience, skills, and achievements. The format you choose should align with your career history and professional goals.
1. Reverse Chronological Format (Best for Most Restaurant Owners)
Best for: Experienced restaurant owners with a proven track record of food quality, strong career progression, and notable achievements.
- Highlights your work history in order (most recent job first).
- Shows growth and progression in the restaurant industry.
- Preferred by hiring managers and investors for its clear structure.
2. Combination Format (Ideal for Highlighting Skills & Experience)
Best for: Those with strong skills and relevant experience in the food service competitive restaurant industry but who also want to emphasize their expertise before listing job history.
- Gives equal importance to skills and work experience.
- Helps if you have diverse experience (e.g., restaurant ownership, hospitality consulting, or food entrepreneurship).
- Ideal for owners expanding into different areas of the food industry.
3. Functional Format (Best for Career Transitioners)
Best for: Restaurant owners transitioning into a new industry (e.g., hospitality consulting, corporate management, or event planning).
- Focuses less on job history and more on transferable skills.
- Helps if you have gaps in employment or a non-traditional career path.
- Highlights skills, leadership, and achievements over specific roles.
Optimizing Your Resume for ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems)
Many companies use ATS software to filter resumes before they reach a hiring manager. Follow these tips to ensure your resume gets through:
- Use Industry Keywords: Include terms like restaurant operations, financial management, staff management, various training programs, menu development, and customer satisfaction to match job descriptions.
- Keep Formatting Simple: Use standard fonts (Arial, Calibri), bullet points, and clear section headings. Avoid images, tables, and excessive styling.
- Save in the Right Format: Submit your resume as a PDF or Word document (.docx) to ensure ATS can read it properly.
- Follow a Clear Structure: Organize sections in a logical order (Contact Info, Summary, Skills, Experience, Education) so the system scans everything correctly.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using Generic Descriptions – Be specific. Instead of saying, “Managed restaurant operations,” highlight measurable results like, “Implemented cost-saving measures that reduced expenses by 20%.”
- Keeping It Concise – Limit your resume to 1-2 pages by focusing on key achievements rather than listing every detail. Prioritize the most relevant and impactful information.
- Ignoring Design and Readability – Use clean fonts (Arial, Calibri) and clear headings. Avoid cluttered layouts, fancy designs, or excessive styling.
- Failing to Proofread – Spelling and grammar mistakes can make you look unprofessional. Double-check your resume or use tools like Grammarly.
Avoiding these mistakes will make your resume stronger, clearer, and more effective in attracting opportunities!
Restaurant Owner Resume Example
John Doe
Email: johndoe@email.com | Phone: 123-456-7890
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/johndoe | Portfolio: johndoerestaurant.com
Professional Summary
I am a seasoned restaurant owner with 12+ years of experience managing profitable dining establishments. Skilled in operational efficiency, menu innovation, and delivering exceptional customer service. Proven track record as an accomplished restaurant owner of increasing revenue, reducing costs, and creating award-winning dining experiences.
Key Skills
- Business Strategy & Growth
- Menu Development
- Vendor & Supplier Negotiations
- Budgeting & Cost Control
- Employee Training & Leadership
- Customer Experience Management
Work Experience
Founder & Owner – The Urban Kitchen, Los Angeles, CA | 2016 – Present
- Boosted annual revenue by 60% through strategic marketing and brand positioning.
- Developed a customer loyalty program, increasing repeat business by 35%.
- Successfully franchised the restaurant, expanding to three locations within five years.
General Manager – Fine Dining Bistro, San Francisco, CA | 2012 – 2016
- Managed daily restaurant operations, overseeing a team of 40 employees.
- Increased profitability by 25% through menu optimization and supplier negotiations.
Education & Certifications
- Bachelor's in hospitality management – University of California, Berkeley
- Certified Restaurant Executive (CRE) – National Restaurant Association
Awards & Recognitions
- “Best New Restaurant” – Los Angeles Times, 2019
- Featured in “Top 10 Restaurants in LA” – Eater, 2021
Final Resume Tips
- Customize for Each Opportunity – Tailor your resume by using keywords and relevant experience based on the job description.
- Highlight Measurable Achievements – Use numbers to showcase impact (e.g., "Increased revenue by 40%").
- Keep Formatting Clean & Professional – Use clear fonts, bullet points, and consistent spacing for readability.
- Include a Call to Action – Add your LinkedIn profile, website, or portfolio link to make it easy for potential employers, investors, or partners to learn more about your experience and achievements.
Conclusion
Writing a strong restaurant owner resume means showcasing your experience, skills, and accomplishments. Emphasize measurable results like revenue growth, customer satisfaction improvements, and operational efficiency. Use a clean format, include industry-relevant keywords, and tailor your restaurant owner resume summary to each opportunity for maximum impact.
With a well-structured and thoughtfully crafted resume, you can stand out to potential employers, investors, or partners and take the next step in your career.
