In a restaurant context, a customer is considered to be what type of individual regarding the owner's duty of care?

In a restaurant context, a customer is classified as an invitee, which carries with it a specific legal implication regarding the owner’s duty of care. An invitee is someone who is on the property for the mutual benefit of both the property owner and the visitor, typically for a business purpose. In this case, the restaurant owner invites customers to dine, which establishes a mutual interest.

As an invitee, the owner has a heightened duty to exercise reasonable care in maintaining the premises. This includes ensuring that the establishment is safe from hazards and that any potential dangers are addressed or communicated to customers. The owner must regularly inspect the premises and take necessary steps to correct any unsafe conditions, thereby safeguarding the well-being of invitees.

In contrast, a trespasser would have minimal care owed to them by the property owner, as they are on the property without permission. A licensee would be someone who has permission to be on the property but for their own purposes, which entails a reduced responsibility for the owner and would not reflect the dining relationship in a restaurant. The idea that a customer has no duty owed to them is misleading, as restaurant owners do have a duty to provide a safe environment for their patrons. Therefore, the classification of customers as invite