The Restaurant Analogy: Why Loving Education Doesn’t Make You Qualified to Run a School

I love great food. I have spent my life enjoying restaurants, from humble street food stalls to high-end dining experiences. I have developed a discerning palate and a deep appreciation for everything from the ambiance to the intricacies of a well-crafted dish. But despite my passion and extensive experience as a diner, I would never assume that I am qualified to run a restaurant successfully.

Running a restaurant requires more than just loving food. It demands expertise in business operations, supply chain management, customer service, financial planning, regulatory compliance, and, of course, the culinary arts. Successful restaurateurs surround themselves with experts, chefs, accountants, marketers, and operations managers because passion alone is not enough.

The Same Principle Applies to Schools – Are You Qualified to Run a School?

Many people assume that because they attended school, they understand what it takes to operate one. Parents, former students, and even educators often believe they have enough experience to set up and manage a school effectively. But simply having spent time in an educational environment does not equate to possessing the skills required to lead one.

Education is a complex industry that requires a unique blend of strategic vision, financial acumen, regulatory understanding, and operational expertise. Many brilliant educators and academics excel in the classroom but struggle when faced with the realities of running a school as a business. The truth is that a school must be both an exceptional learning institution and a well-managed organisation to succeed.

In fact, the reasons most restaurants fail are similar to schools – Location, quality staff, marketing, etc

Schools Need Strategic Leadership, Not Just Good Intentions

The best schools don’t happen by accident. They are built on strong foundations of strategic planning, sound financial modeling, and well-executed operational systems. Without a clear roadmap, even the most well-intentioned school founders can quickly find themselves overwhelmed by the complexities of curriculum development, staffing, compliance, admissions, marketing, and financial sustainability.

Education is not just about delivering lessons; it is about ensuring long-term viability and continuous improvement. This requires a strategic approach, understanding market demand, positioning the school effectively, developing sustainable revenue models, and building a culture that attracts and retains great teachers and students.

The Role of Experts in School Development

Just as successful restaurant owners surround themselves with expert chefs, business managers, and hospitality professionals, a school founder must enlist specialists in key areas. Being qualified to run a school requires more than just motivation and purpose.

The most successful schools are developed and managed by teams that combine educational expertise with business acumen.

• School Management Experts – Professionals with experience in running high-performing schools understand the unique challenges and best practices required for success.
• Financial and Investment Advisors – Schools are major financial undertakings, and sustainability requires careful financial planning and investment strategy.
• Regulatory and Accreditation Specialists – Compliance with local and international education regulations is critical for credibility and long-term viability.
• Marketing and Admissions Professionals – A great school needs students, and a strong admissions strategy is essential to building enrollment and reputation.
• Facilities and Operations Teams – A school is more than just classrooms; it is a complex infrastructure that requires expert management in areas such as safety, technology, and maintenance.

Are you qualified to run a school?

The Right Approach: Strategic Planning and Expert Execution

A great school is not built on passion alone. While passion for education is important, it must be complemented by strategic planning and expert execution. The most successful school founders recognise that they do not have to be experts in every area but they do need to build a team of specialists who bring the right expertise to the table.

At Global Services in Education (GSE), we specialise in helping investors, educators, and organizations establish and operate world-class schools. From market research and financial planning to school operations and leadership development, we provide the strategic guidance and hands-on expertise required to turn an educational vision into a sustainable reality.

Building a school is a significant undertaking, but with the right team and a strategic approach, it can become a thriving institution that makes a lasting impact. Just as a great restaurant combines culinary excellence with strong business operations, a successful school must balance educational quality with strategic leadership.

If you are thinking about establishing a school or improving the performance of an existing one, let’s talk about how expertise and strategy can make the difference between success and failure. Without specialist expertise, are you qualified to run a school?

If you want to learn more about the steps required to set up a school, check out some of our other articles:

– Steps to Setting Up a New School

– 10 Steps and Articles on How to Set Up a New School

– GSE International School Franchise Models

GSE provides specialist services to set up all educational institutions, including international schools, kindergartens, vocational colleges, universities, and online/virtual schools.

GSE has previously operated or currently operates projects in the following locations:

India, China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand, East Timor, Mongolia, Myanmar, South Korea, Saudi Arabia (KSA), UAE, Equatorial Guinea, Zambia, Kenya, Libya, Bahrain, Iraq, Japan, Indonesia, Australia, USA

Contact Us Directly 👇

CEO and Education Expert Greg Parry

Internationally renowned for his expertise in education leadership, Greg Parry’s vast experience includes leadership of projects for education institutions throughout Australia, the Middle East, the United States, India, Indonesia, Malaysia and China. Recognised for his numerous contributions in the education arena, Greg has received the Minister’s Award for Excellence in School Leadership based on improvements in school performance and a range of successful principal training and leadership development programs, as well as the School of Excellence Award for Industry/School Partnerships and the School of Excellence Award for Technology Innovation. His company, GSE (Global Services in Education), has been recognised as having the Best Global Brand in International Education in 2015 and 2016.

Considered one of the premier experts in his profession, Greg has trained teachers and principals worldwide in areas such as critical thinking, language development and leadership. His expertise in school start-up projects, leadership and curriculum development has made him a sought-after authority in this discipline.

www.gsineducation.com

Global Services in Education set up and operate schools in all parts of the world. Governed by a philosophy of global citizenship, every member of the GSE team shares a passion to help shape international education and student achievement through inspiration and collaboration.
Our goal is to meet the highest objectives of every school, teacher, student and parent, with an unwavering dedication to quality education, shared ideals and intercultural perspectives.