If you're a restaurant entrepreneur looking to manage your business well, there are several books that can give you the key lessons you need to gain restaurant success.
Here are 10 must-read restaurant management books to add to your reading list for 2023:
Out of Line: A Life of Playing with Fire by Barbara Lynch
Out of Line: A Life of Playing with Fire by Barbara Lynch is a must-read restaurant management book for 2023. In her memoir, Lynch vividly recounts her life story, beginning with growing up in South Boston and her eventual rise to the top of the culinary world.
She shares inspiring stories of tenacity and resilience as she overcame obstacles throughout her career—from poverty to addiction—and how she forged her own path to success.
Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain
Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain is a classic among restaurant books. In this best-selling memoir, Bourdain presents candid accounts of his life in the culinary industry and offers insight into the secrets of top chefs around the world.
From tales of drug abuse to behind-the-scenes looks at kitchen culture, Kitchen Confidential provides a frank and often humorous look into one of the world's most exciting and demanding professions.
Blood, Bones & Butter: The Inadvertent Education of a Reluctant Chef by Gabrielle Hamilton
Blood, Bones & Butter: The Inadvertent Education of a Reluctant Chef by Gabrielle Hamilton is an autobiography recounting the acclaimed chef's journey from her chaotic childhood to becoming a successful restaurateur and chef.
This book provides insight into how to create delicious food while also managing staff and customers in a positive way. Hamilton's honest and candid writing style speaks powerfully about the challenges and triumphs of a restaurant business.
The Restaurant Manager's Handbook by Douglas Robert Brown
The Restaurant Manager's Handbook by Douglas Robert Brown is a must-read for anyone looking to become an effective and successful restaurant manager.
This comprehensive guide provides detailed information on all aspects of restaurant management, such as menu planning, staff training and development, cost control strategies, marketing techniques, customer service protocols, legal issues, and more.
With practical advice and real-life examples from industry experts, this book is an invaluable resource for restaurant entrepreneurs.
Without Reservations by J.W. Marriott
Without Reservations by J.W. Marriott is a must-read for restaurant owners and managers alike. In it, the legendary hotelier provides readers with an insider's look at the hospitality industry, from the front desk to the back of house. He shares best practices and strategies on how to run a successful hospitality business.
How to Start, Run & Grow a Successful Restaurant Business: A Lean Startup Guide by Tim Hoffman
How to Start, Run & Grow a Successful Restaurant Business: A Lean Startup Guide by Tim Hoffman is the ideal companion for anyone interested in starting a restaurant.
This book provides everything you need to know to launch and manage your own successful restaurant business.
It explores the critical components of running a restaurant such as legal aspects, finance and accounting, menu design, operations management, marketing strategies, customer service , and leadership.
Restaurant Owners Uncorked: Twenty Owners Share Their Recipes for Success by Wil Brawley
Twenty Owners Share Their Recipes for Success by Wil Brawley is a must-read for restaurant owners looking to learn from experienced restaurateurs.
This book features interviews with twenty of the most successful independent restaurateurs in the country, who provide insight into their unique business models, marketing strategies, and recipes for success.
It also includes an introduction to key concepts in restaurant operations, such as menu planning and cost control.
Setting the Table: The Transforming Power of Hospitality in Business by Danny Meyer
Setting the Table: The Transforming Power of Hospitality in Business by Danny Meyer is a must-read for anyone looking to learn how to provide top-notch hospitality in their restaurant.
Meyer shares his insights on how he built an empire of some of the most successful restaurants in New York City as well as his philosophy for creating warm and inviting hospitality experiences.
This book is full of practical advice for anyone looking to create a great restaurant experience.
Restaurant Success by the Numbers by Roger Fields
Restaurant Success by the Numbers by Roger Fields is an insightful book that provides readers with a comprehensive overview of the restaurant business.
With more than 20 years of experience in the restaurant industry, Fields shares his knowledge and expertise on how to become successful in this highly competitive industry.
The book offers detailed information on understanding financials, creating strategic plans, and managing costs. It also covers topics such as marketing and operations.
Grinding It Out: The Making of McDonald's
The autobiography of Ray Kroc, the man who revolutionized fast-food and made McDonald's an international phenomenon.
Written in 1977 and recently republished, this book provides a unique insight into the creation and evolution of one of the most iconic restaurant chains in history.
Through anecdotes from Kroc’s own life, readers get a peek into the mind of a man who changed the fast food industry.
These books cover a wide range of topics, from memoirs of successful chefs and restaurateurs to guides on how to start, run, and grow a successful restaurant business. By reading these books, you can gain valuable insights into the restaurant industry and learn how to manage your business more effectively.
