Date of Conferral
2022
Degree
Doctor of Business Administration (D.B.A.)
School
Business Administration
Advisor
Gregory Washington
Abstract
Small business owners who operate in the restaurant industry face many challenges and sometimes succumb to failures. Identifying solutions to avoid failure is important and will strengthen this community of entrepreneurs and help in terms of creating sustainability strategies. Grounded in Richard Cantillon’s entrepreneurship theory, the purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore strategies small business owners in the restaurant industry use to sustain business beyond 5 years. Participants included six small restaurant business managers who survived beyond 5 years and specialized in fast-casual food service within Chicago. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and participant reflections. Instinctive innovation emerged as a critical theme after implementing a thematic analysis process. A key recommendation is for small restaurant owners and industry professionals to implement business process revisions, comprehensive marketing plans, location choices, and technological solutions. Implications for social change include the potential to increase employment rates and provide local individuals and families with stable incomes, which will benefit communities through increased tax revenues.
Recommended Citation
Givens-Evans, Sahara J., "Strategies for Increasing the Sustainability of Small Restaurant Business" (2022). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 13375.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/13375
