Many of us have endured a stint in food service, whether it was our first venture into the working world or served as a part-time job strictly for extra income. For the majority of us, there was never any intention of pursuing it as a career. However, the fast pace and interaction with a variety of people delights some, and they develop an enthusiastic attitude toward the business. These people often understand the sound fundamentals of food preparation, appreciate the value of personal service, and possess excellent people skills. But there is much more to the world of food service and food

"This book covers all aspects of the restaurant business -- from initial startup, to building up a loyal trade and -- crucially -- putting yourself in your customers' shoes."--Cover.

The restaurant business is both an established field and also an evolving one. Today more people eat out, having less time to cook at home. With the advent of the celebrity chef, many people are interested in trying new and different foods. The expansive cable television networks provide entertainment in the form of "reality shows" revolving around winning money to open a dream restaurant or be top chef. The globalization of food distribution allows people everywhere to become familiar with ingredients never before available, stimulating their interest in food as more than sustenance. Dining out becomes entertainment as well as filling the need for nourishment. With over 80 combined years of cooking experience, Meyer and Vann have seen the trials of opening and running restaurants-those they have worked in and those they have designed and helped to open. They bring this expertise to How to Open and Operate a Restaurant and will take the reader through al the aspects of opening and running a restaurant including many examples of pitfalls to avoid, rules to follow and guidelines for success.

Designed primarily to assist the restaurant professional and would-be restauranteur. Sections include: kitchen management, dealing with international guests, liquor cost control, eliminating business risks and much more.

Americans spend more than 600 billion a year eating out. Busy consumers don't have the time or inclination to cook — they want tasty, nutritious meals without dishes to wash. More and more singles, working parents and seniors are demanding greater convenience and are turning to restaurants to fill that need. There's plenty of room for more food businesses, but for a successful startup you need more than just good recipes. You also need to know about planning, capitalization, inventory control, and payroll management.