The correct spelling is restaurateur without the n. A restaurateur is someone in charge of or who owns a restaurant.
The confusion likely comes from the connection between the two words – restaurant and restaurateur. Many people assume the last letters should be a continuation of the word restaurant with the letters “eur” but that’s not true. Find out why below!
What is a Restaurateur
A restaurateur is someone who opens and runs restaurants professionally. The term has evolved over the years to apply to any restaurant owner. But traditionally it means an experienced person with the know how to run the whole show.
They are often experts in this field despite the expertise required to work in it. A restaurateur is responsible for almost everything in the restaurant from recruiting staff and sourcing supplies to menu items and pricing.
On the financial side they must manage budgeting, income tracking, promotions and advertising and marketing for the restaurant. Customer satisfaction is key to a successful restaurant and is in the hands of the restaurateur.
Where does the word Restaurateur come from?
‘‘Restaurateur’ is a French loan word from the verb ‘restaurer’ meaning to bring back to life or revive. In the 18th century it was used to describe vendors selling restorative foods like broths and soups.
Over time it was applied to the owner or manager of a restaurant – as they are in charge of restoring and maintaining it – and entered the English language in the early 19th century.(Source Wikipedia)
Restauranteur
TRestauranteur is not a word in the English language. It’s a misspelling of restaurateur which means the same thing. Restauranteur is not in any reputable dictionaries or industry publications.
Why use the right word
The food service industry has its own language and jargon. When speaking in a professional setting within the industry you need to pronounce it correctly to sound knowledgeable and professional.
Remember the pronunciation of restaurateur matches the spelling. Pronouncing it as restaurant with an -er at the end would be wrong and not what the word means.
Read More >> Restaurant Lingo: The Terms You Need to Know
Summary
In summary when talking about the owner or manager of a restaurant the word is restaurateur. Restauranteur is not a word and is actually a typo. Use exact words and phrases in the food service industry.
