Spanish for Entrepreneurs: Pitch a Restaurant or Product Concept
Learn to describe a restaurant or product concept in Spanish, focusing on entrepreneurship vocabulary, pitching, and polite negotiation.
By MarcusFood & cafés · Yapr Learn
When you're pitching a new restaurant or product idea in Spanish, you need more than menu vocabulary. You need to explain the concept, its unique value, and your vision. This lesson teaches you how to present a business idea clearly and persuasively in Latin American Spanish, using phrases for describing, differentiating, and inviting feedback. You'll practice with a sample pitch and dialogue, and learn to avoid common errors like directly translating 'I'm excited to present' or misusing 'negocio'.
By the end, you can…
- describe a restaurant or product concept in Spanish.
- explain what makes my concept different from others.
- ask for feedback and express openness to suggestions.
- use entrepreneurship vocabulary appropriately in a pitch.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Quiero presentarles un concepto nuevo de restaurante.
I want to present a new restaurant concept to you all.
KYEH-ro preh-sen-TAR-les oon kon-SEP-toh NWEH-voh deh res-tau-RAN-teh
Use 'presentarles' when addressing a group formally. For one person, say 'presentarte'.
Nuestra propuesta se basa en la cocina de autor con ingredientes locales.
Our proposal is based on signature cuisine with local ingredients.
NWEHS-trah pro-PWEHS-tah seh BAH-sah en lah koh-SEE-nah deh au-TOHR kon een-greh-DYEN-tes loh-KAH-les
Use this to explain the foundation of your concept. 'Cocina de autor' means creative, chef-driven cuisine.
Lo que nos diferencia es la experiencia personalizada.
What sets us apart is the personalized experience.
loh keh nohs dee-feh-REN-syah es lah eks-peh-RYEN-syah per-soh-nah-lee-SAH-dah
This phrase highlights your unique selling point. You can replace 'la experiencia personalizada' with other differentiators.
Estamos buscando inversionistas para lanzar el proyecto.
We are looking for investors to launch the project.
es-TAH-mohs boos-KAN-doh een-ber-syoh-NEES-tahs PAH-rah lan-SAR el proh-YEK-toh
Use 'inversionistas' for investors. In some regions, 'inversores' is also used, but 'inversionistas' is widely understood.
¿Qué les parece la idea? ¿Tienen alguna sugerencia?
What do you think of the idea? Do you have any suggestions?
keh les pah-REH-seh lah ee-DEH-ah TYEH-nen al-GOO-nah soo-heh-REN-syah
This invites feedback politely. Use 'les' for a group; for one person, 'te parece' and 'tienes'.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To describe a concept, use 'Se trata de...' (It's about...) or 'Consiste en...' (It consists of...). For example: 'Se trata de un café-librería donde la gente puede leer mientras disfruta de un buen café.' (It's about a café-bookstore where people can read while enjoying good coffee.) Another pattern: 'Nuestro objetivo es...' (Our goal is...): 'Nuestro objetivo es ofrecer comida saludable a precios accesibles.' (Our goal is to offer healthy food at affordable prices.) These structures help you explain your vision clearly. Note that 'se trata de' introduces the general nature of something, while 'consiste en' is followed by a noun or infinitive and spells out what something is made up of or involves.
When to use it
Use these phrases in formal pitches, networking events, or meetings with potential partners. For informal conversations, you can simplify: 'Es un restaurante que...' (It's a restaurant that...). When presenting to a group, use 'les' (to you all) and 'ustedes' (you all) to maintain politeness. In Latin America, 'ustedes' is the standard plural 'you' in both formal and informal settings, while in Spain, 'vosotros' is used informally and 'ustedes' is reserved for formal contexts. Stick with 'ustedes' for business contexts across Latin America.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Buenos días. Quiero presentarles nuestro concepto: un restaurante de comida fusión con enfoque en productos orgánicos.
Good morning. I want to present our concept: a fusion food restaurant focusing on organic products.BWEH-nohs DEE-ahs KYEH-ro preh-sen-TAR-les NWEHS-troh kon-SEP-toh oon res-tau-RAN-teh deh koh-MEE-dah foo-SYOHN kon ehn-foh-KEH en pro-DOOK-tohs ohr-GAH-nee-kohsSuena interesante. ¿Qué los diferencia de otros restaurantes de fusión?
Sounds interesting. What sets you apart from other fusion restaurants?SWEH-nah een-teh-reh-SAN-teh keh lohs dee-feh-REN-syah deh OH-trohs res-tau-RAN-tes deh foo-SYOHNNos diferenciamos por nuestra experiencia personalizada y el uso de ingredientes de temporada. Además, ofrecemos menús degustación con maridaje.
We differentiate ourselves through our personalized experience and use of seasonal ingredients. Additionally, we offer tasting menus with wine pairing.nohs dee-feh-REN-syah-mohs por NWEHS-trah eks-peh-RYEN-syah per-soh-nah-lee-SAH-dah ee el OO-soh deh een-greh-DYEN-tes deh tem-po-RAH-dah ah-deh-MAHS oh-freh-SEH-mohs meh-NOOS deh-goos-tah-SYOHN kon mah-ree-DAH-hehMe gusta la idea. ¿Ya tienen un plan de negocios?
I like the idea. Do you already have a business plan?meh GOOS-tah lah ee-DEH-ah yah TYEH-nen oon plan deh neh-GOH-syohsA little context goes a long way
In many Latin American business settings, personal relationships matter a great deal. It is common to greet everyone individually before a pitch, and using formal 'usted' shows respect, especially with older or higher-status individuals. In startup or creative environments, younger entrepreneurs often switch to 'tú' to build camaraderie, so observe the room and mirror the formality level. Regional vocabulary varies: 'inversionista' is widely used, while in Argentina and some other Southern Cone countries 'inversor' is also common. When in doubt, 'inversionista' is broadly understood. Note that these are tendencies rather than fixed rules, and individual companies vary.
One thing to watch for
Directly translating 'I'm excited to present' as 'Estoy emocionado de presentar'.
Try this instead: 'Emocionado' typically means emotionally moved or agitated, not enthusiastic. Instead, say 'Me entusiasma presentar...' or 'Es un placer presentar...'. For example: 'Me entusiasma presentarles nuestro nuevo concepto.' This conveys genuine enthusiasm without the wrong emotional nuance.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you say 'Our concept is based on sustainability' in Spanish?
Show a sample answer
Nuestro concepto se basa en la sostenibilidad.
This uses the reflexive verb 'basarse en' (to be based on). You could also say 'Nuestro concepto está basado en la sostenibilidad,' but 'se basa en' is more natural in speech.
2What phrase would you use to ask a group for their opinion politely?
Show a sample answer
¿Qué les parece?
This is a standard polite way to ask a group for their opinion. For one person, you'd say '¿Qué te parece?' Remember to use 'les' for plural indirect object.
3Translate: 'We are looking for partners to open a second location.'
Show a sample answer
Buscamos socios para abrir una segunda sucursal.
'Socios' means partners in a business context. 'Sucursal' is a branch or location. You could also say 'un segundo local,' but 'sucursal' is more formal.
When pitching in Spanish, focus on clarity and politeness. Use 'presentarles' for groups, 'se basa en' to explain foundations, and 'lo que nos diferencia' to highlight uniqueness. Always ask for feedback with '¿Qué les parece?' and avoid false friends like 'emocionado' for excitement.
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