Dear Reader,
Running a restaurant, managing a food brand, or leading a hospitality business naturally pulls your attention toward food – menus, recipes, and trends. It is easy to get caught up in what is new on the plate. But the core of your role as a CEO goes far beyond food. It is about people – your team, your customers, your systems – and the decisions you make daily.
And the truth is one habit separates good operators from great CEOs. That habit is the art of reading. Not scrolling through social media or skimming random articles, but intentional and purposeful reading.
When you read widely, you make better decisions under pressure, understand people more deeply, build stronger systems, and lead with clarity.
Interestingly, some of the most powerful lessons for running a successful food business don’t come from the industry itself. They come from outside it.
Here are five books that will make you a better leader, operator, and CEO:
Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
In a restaurant, decisions happen fast – pricing, staffing, customer experience. Kahneman explains two systems of thinking: fast (instinctive) and slow (deliberate). Understanding this helps you avoid emotional decisions, design menus that influence choices, and respond better under pressure.
JJC Guide to Food Business Wahala by Zainab Almond.
This book is for understanding the real Nigerian food business terrain. While the other books on this list sharpen your thinking as a CEO, this one brings it home to your everyday reality, especially within the Nigerian food space.
Good to Great by Jim Collins
Why do some restaurants last while others fade? Discipline. This book will show you why discipline, the right team, and strong systems matter more than trends.
Start with Why by Simon Sinek
With countless options available, why should anyone choose your brand? People don’t buy what you do, they buy why you do it. This reminds you that people connect with your purpose, not just your product.
The Hard Thing About Hard Things by Ben Horowitz
Horowitz speaks honestly about leadership in difficult moments. There are no perfect days just how well you handle the hard ones.
Being great in the kitchen is one thing. Running a successful food business is another.
Food-related books will make you a better chef. But these books will make you a better leader.
Which of these books have you read or plan to read? Give your answer in the comments section and tell us your experience reading the book.
For more insights on building a successful food business, follow Almond Rouge.