The 30-hour in-person program, limited to 20 participants, will be taught by entrepreneur Luis Vaquer and will cover financial management, profitability, marketing, and new technologies applied to food-service businesses.
The Zaragoza Chamber of Commerce and HORECA Formación have launched the free course “Gastronomic Entrepreneurs + 360º Management,” an initiative for those looking to open a food-service business or improve the management of an existing establishment. The program combines business management expertise with digital tools and artificial intelligence, aiming to help participants develop viable food-service ventures and strengthen their competitiveness.
The training is part of the España Emprende program, managed by the Zaragoza Chamber of Commerce and co-financed by the European Social Fund. It will comprise 30 in-person hours and accommodate a maximum of 20 students, a limit designed to allow work on real-world situations and tailor content to participants’ needs.
The course will be taught by Luis Vaquer, entrepreneur behind Grupo Vaquer Restaurantes and recipient of the 2025 National Hospitality Award. His experience in creating and managing food-service establishments will serve as a starting point for examining the decisions that shape a business’s performance, from defining its business model to cost control and commercial planning.
Learning to manage a food-service business
The course is based on a common reality in the sector: a strong food offering alone does not guarantee the profitability of a restaurant or bar. Rising costs, pressure on margins, and competition require business owners to pay increasing attention to financial management, work organization, and understanding their customers.
Throughout the course, participants will address areas including preparing a business plan, financial analysis, purchasing planning, team management, and developing commercial strategies. The program will also cover recipe costing, an essential tool for determining the true cost of each dish and setting prices that preserve an establishment’s profitability.
The methodology will be practical and participatory, featuring analysis of business situations, exchanges of experience, and the application of management tools. Students will be able to assess the viability of their own ideas, identify potential risks, and develop an action plan to launch or improve their businesses.
One of the program’s highlights will be the integration of artificial intelligence into food-service management. Participants will learn about applications of these technologies to streamline administrative tasks, analyze financial and commercial information, optimize purchasing, and improve planning. Their usefulness in developing marketing initiatives and supporting business decision-making will also be examined.
The initiative seeks to facilitate access to specialized knowledge for both aspiring entrepreneurs and self-employed professionals already working in the sector. The collaboration between the Zaragoza Chamber of Commerce and HORECA Formación combines the resources of the España Emprende program with business experience and an understanding of the food-service industry’s needs.
A free course with 20 places available
The “Gastronomic Entrepreneurs + 360º Management” course will be held on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 4:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The first session will take place at the Zaragoza Chamber of Commerce, while the remaining sessions will be held at HORECA Formación’s facilities.
Participation will be entirely free, although applicants must meet the requirements established by the España Emprende program. Places are limited to 20 students, and registration must be completed through the procedure provided by the Chamber of Commerce.
Interested individuals can review the requirements and submit an application through the official Cámara Zaragoza registration form.
